St. Petersburg Distance Classic

Registration

Can I register on race day?

No. Registration closes at 6:00 pm on Saturday, so that we can properly prepare for race day.

Can I transfer my bib to another runner?

Sorry but no. You may not give or sell your bib to another individual. The other individual will not be covered by USATF race insurance if there should be an injury. The other individual’s results may compromise scoring as they may be in a different age group than yourself. They will be disqualified. You and the other individual will be prohibited from running in our races for 3 years.

Is there online confirmation?

Athletes who register online receive immediate confirmation from RunSignUp.com.

What do I do if I cannot find my registration?

Email us info@StPetersburgDistanceClassic.com. In the subject line please put “Missing Registration.” Be sure to include the first and last name that you registered under (maiden name, etc.).

Packet Pickup

Are there packet pickups before the race?

Yes, there will be 2 packet pickups sessions each before the race in St. Pete and Tampa.

Can someone else pick up my race packet?

If someone else picks up your race packet for you, they MUST have a copy of your confirmation sheet.

Can I pick up my packet on race day?

Yes, there will be packet pickup at the race site from 5:00 – 6:45 a.m. Please come early, so you have plenty of time to prepare for the start of the race.

Directions, Parking, Bag Drop Off

How do I get to the start line at North Shore Park, St. Petersburg?

The address is 901 N Shore Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. You can get driving directions from Google Maps. 
 
The start/finish line at North Shore Park is easily accessible at St. Petersburg’s waterfront, just north of the Vinoy Resort!

Is there parking near the start line?

Yes! Please see the "Race Week Info" page for more details.

Is there a Bag Drop Off?

Yes. We will have a designated area for bag drop-off. Please look for a table with a “Bag Drop Off” sign near the entrance. This is strictly by the honor system. No wallets, cell phones, or other valuables should be put in the bags, as we cannot be responsible for missing items.

The Courses

Is the St. Petersburg Marathon a Boston Qualifier?

The marathon course is accurately measured to USATF certification standards and will therefore be a Boston Qualifier for 2025 and beyond. Certification number is FL19019TY.

Are the courses certified?

Yes. All courses are accurately measured per USATF certification standards. Our Marathon is a Boston Qualifier. 

What are the start times?

6:00 a.m. Marathon Start
6:20 a.m. Halfathon Start
6:40 a.m. 10K Start

7:00 a.m. 5K Start

Timing?

Official results will be based on “gun time” as per USATF rules. We are using chip scoring for this race. Chips are attached to the back of your bib. Please do not remove them.

Is there a course time limit?

The finish line for all races will be open for 7 hours from the 6:00 a.m. start, meaning 1:00 p.m.

The course on public roads will open to traffic based upon that pace. For instance, marathoners should be at the midpoint by 9:30 a.m. Athletes slower than that must move to the sidewalks and adhere to all pedestrian laws.

Are strollers, dogs or bicycles allowed on the course during the race?

Sorry but no. We love babies and dogs, but only registered runners, joggers, and walkers are allowed on the course due to our insurance restrictions and liability concerns.

Will you have aid stations and portalets on the course?

AID STATIONS:
Located throughout each race course.
MARATHON: at about Miles 2, 3.4, 5.4, 6.7, 8.1, 9.8, 11.3, 12.8. 14.1, 16.1, 17, 19, 20.3, 21.8. 23.1, 24.7. 25.9.
HALFATHON: at about Miles 2, 3.4, 5.4, 6.7, 8.1, 9.8, then at miles 11.6, 12.8
THE SAME AID STATIONS ARE USED FOR FOR THE 10K & 5K

We offer lemon-lime Gatorade and water at numerous aid stations during each event. Athletes who feel they will need additional hydration than what we provide are welcome to make their own arrangements, such as carrying additional fluids or having friends meet them along the course. 
All aid stations will be supplied with Vaseline. We do not offer gels on the course because of the potential G.I. issues they may cause for athletes who have not trained using the same brand and flavor. BRING YOUR OWN GELS!

Is there medical support?

Dedicated standby ambulances will be stationed along the course and at the finish line.

SAG vehicle?

Our SAG vehicle will pick up runners unable to finish and bring them to the finish line once the van fills up or after the last walker. The SAG Vehicle is not a taxi and will pick up runners after the field has passed each check-in post. Entrants are welcome to call family and friends to be picked up at your convenience.

Will there be food at the finish line?

Yes, we have a fabulous post-race party, including pasta, breakfast pastries, fruit, munchies, and beer. There is live music for your entertainment.

Awards

Will I receive a finisher medal?

Yes. ALL finishers of the St. Petersburg Distance Classic will earn one of our gorgeous running starfish medals featuring a St. Petersburg sunshine theme.

When is the award ceremony, and where is it held?

The awards ceremony is located at the races’ post-race party area at North Shore Park, at approximately: 
8:00 a.m.    10K overall and age-group awards
8:30 a.m.    5K overall and age group awards
9:15 a.m.    Halfathon overall and age group awards
10:30 a.m.  Marathon overall and age group awards

What are the awards and age group breakdowns?

All Marathon, Halfathon, 10K, and 5K finishers will receive our unique gold running starfish medals.
Age Group Awards – 3 deep in standard 5-year age groups
Overall Male & Female Awards – 3 deep
Masters (40+) Male & Female Awards – 3 deep
Grandmasters (50+) Male & Female Awards – Champions only

Sponsorship and Booth Space

How do I become a sponsor?

Please contact us for more information at Info@StPetersburgDistanceClassic.com

I'm interested in getting booth space at the race. How do I find out about this?

Please contact us for more information about booth space at Info@StPetersburgDistanceClassic.com.

Virtual Run

Is there a virtual run for this race?

Yes. Please go to the Virtual Runs page for information.

Volunteers

I would like to volunteer. How can I do this?

Thank you for your inquiry! Come be a part of the support system for your running community, and the out-of-towners who join us. Your time, energy and support are invaluable to all of us! Students can also earn community service hours during our races.Please go to the Volunteers page to sign up.

What is the Volunteer Fundraising Opportunity?

In an effort to give back to our community, we invite small groups to adopt an aid station during each of our races. Any non-profit group of 4-8 volunteers will receive a post-race donation. This is a fun way for running clubs, youth athletic teams, school groups, and other charities to participate in our community events while earning funds for your organization.

If your group would like to participate, please register NOW! These are offered on a first-come basis and may fill up quickly. 

Charities

What charities are you affiliated with?

The St. Petersburg Distance Classic is a family-owned and operated race. Most of the revenue generated covers expenses, and, hopefully, some profit, so we may continue to operate. Earning our living in this sport allows us to give back to our community in a variety of ways:

1) Unlike some other singular-cause events where all the proceeds go to one non-profit, we donate cash to several local, micro non-profits such as running clubs, youth athletic teams, etc., that support our races with their volunteers.

2) We often provide comp entries as raffle items for auctions at churches, schools, fundraisers, etc., and we donate modest amounts of cash when our athletes raise funds for their pet projects.

3) Through our races, we provide exposure to other fundraising events via Facebook posts, emails, and our goody bags.

4) Our biggest area of charitable endeavor is to provide our race management services and time, pro bono or partial pro-bono, to non-profits that stage races. In prior years, we did this for the Partners For Life Police Appreciation Run. More recently, we helped the Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation increase participation by 50% for its One Step Closer to the Cure 5K / 10K / 1 Miler. We helped a fellow race director stage her Sunrise Run for three years. We have also offered our time or equipment when applicable, such as volunteering at Gasparilla and the St. Pete Road Runners 5K Beach Series.

5) The absolute most satisfying charitable endeavor was to create and stage the “Tampa Bay for Boston Memorial Run.” About 3 weeks after the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, we hosted 800 athletes in St. Petersburg for a candlelight vigil and memorial run, raising $15,000 for the bombing victims through The One Fund Boston. 

Finally, for each individual athlete who participates with us, we offer the opportunity to achieve goals they once thought impossible.

As you can see, we LOVE being a part of the Tampa Bay running community and thoroughly enjoy being in a position where we can help in many ways.