Tampa’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K

February 21, 2026

Click below to view the 2025 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K Video!

START TIMES

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

🏁 2026 15K Start Information

📍 Start Location:
Brorein St. & Franklin St. – Downtown Tampa

The 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K will feature a two-wave rolling start for a smooth and safe race experience.

🕕 Wave Start Times

• Wave #1: 6:45 a.m. (Projected Finish Time: 90 minutes & under)

• Wave #2: 6:55 a.m. (Projected Finish Time: 91 minutes & over)

As each corral clears the Start Line, the next corral will be immediately walked forward and released.

🚧 Race Morning Corral Procedure

• Corrals are organized by Projected Finish Time provided at registration.

• Race numbers will be assigned accordingly.

• On Race Morning, once a corral reaches capacity, it will be closed.
  Late arrivals will be directed to the next available open corral.

✅ Arrive early and line up in your assigned corral to ensure a smooth start.

15K Walkers

Walkers Welcome in the 15K

Walkers are encouraged to participate in the 15K!

Please note: due to road closure permits, all participants must maintain a 16-minute per mile pace.

• Participants unable to reach Howard Avenue by 9:00 a.m. (2 hours and 15 minutes)—approximately 7 miles—will be directed to the Bayshore Boulevard sidewalk.

• After approximately ½ mile, at Rome Avenue, they will be allowed to rejoin Bayshore Boulevard for the remainder of the 15K.

• During this stretch, these participants will be sharing the road with Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K participants.

Entry Fees

The prices below do not include a service fee charged by our registration partner.

Refunds and/or registration transfers are prohibited in ANY of the 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend Events.

🏁 2026 PGDC Race Registration Information

✅ Online Registration Confirmation

Participants who register online and provide a valid email address will receive two confirmation emails:

1. Instant confirmation from Race Roster Networks upon completing your online registration.
2. A Race Week Registration Confirmation Email will be sent by Monday, February 16, 2026, which includes:

   • Race Number

   • Name

   • Address

   • Entered Race

   • Age

⚠️ IMPORTANT:
If you have previously unsubscribed from the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic E-Blast Database, you WILL NOT receive the Race Week Confirmation Email.
To rejoin the mailing list, CLICK HERE.

📬 Mail-In (Offline) Registration

Participants choosing to register by mail must follow these steps:

• Download and complete the 2026 PGDC By-Mail Form-Fillable Registration Form

1. • Fill out the form, print it, and sign it.

   • Include the Entry Fee + $5 Processing Fee

   • Forms will be returned if the $5 processing fee is not included.

   • Mail your completed form and payment to:

     GDCA
     P.O. Box 1881
     Tampa, FL 33601-1881

🗓️ Mail-in Deadline:
All offline registration forms must be postmarked by January 9, 2026.

Entry Requirements

All 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K participants MUST sign the Race Application Waiver. For participants under 18, a parent or Legal Guardian MUST sign the Waiver.

All Mail-in 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K Race Applications must be postmarked by January 9, 2026.

2026 PGDC By-Mail Form-Fillable Registration Form. 

LATE ONLINE REGISTRATION FEES WILL BEGIN ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026

Entry forms received postmarked after January 9, 2026, WILL be processed on Race Weekend and during the Tampa 28 Health & Fitness Expo. If available, 15K Race Weekend Late Registration Fees Will Apply.

Runner Premiums

🏃‍♂️ Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K – 2026 Participant Perks

All 2026 15K participants will receive the following:

🎽 Race Gear & Swag:

• Official 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K Gender-Specific Performance Wicking Race Shirt

• 2026 PGDC Branded Rooms To Go Reusable Shopping Bag

• Final Voyage Publix Running Hat
  (This is the last year for this item — new item coming in 2027!)

💻 Digital Goodies:

• 2026 PGDC Virtual Race Bag

• Personalized 2026 PGDC 15K Virtual Finisher’s Certificate
  (A valid email address is required during registration.)

🏅 Finisher Rewards (For those who cross the finish line):

• 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K Finisher’s Medal

• 2026 PGDC 15K Finisher’s Towel

• Post-Race Food & Beverages

• Complimentary 12-ounce Michelob Ultra (21+ only)

⚠️ Important Note on Late Registration:

Participants who register online after January 10, 2026, or during Race Weekend Late Registration (if available):

• WILL receive a gender-specific performance wicking Race Shirt

• BUT are not guaranteed a correctly-sized shirt 2026 PGDC Gender-Specific Sizing Chart

 To ensure you receive your preferred shirt type and size, be sure to register before January 10, 2026!

Packet Pickup

📦 2026 PGDC 15K – Race Packet, T-Shirt & Race Number Pick-Up

Race Packet Pick-Up for the 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K will take place during the:

🏢 Tampa Bay 28 Health & Fitness Expo

Presented by TampaWell
📍 Tampa Convention Center – East Hall

🗓️ Expo Dates & Times:

• Friday, February 20, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Saturday, February 21, 2026 | Beginning at 6:00 a.m.

You will not be able to pick up your Race Number on Saturday, February 21, 2026, until 6 a.m.

❗ Important Pick-Up Policy:

If you are unable to attend the Expo to pick up your Race Number in person:

1. You MUST complete and sign a Race Number Pick-Up Authorization Form.
2. The person picking up your Race Packet must present this form at the Expo.

📄 Race Number Pick-up Authorization Form

ChronoTrack Timing Tags

The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association is proud to once again lead the pack in race timing innovation!

For the 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend, all participants will be timed using the ChronoTrack B-Tag Timing System, developed with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology.

How It Works

Each race bib has a tag embedded on the back that records your time as you cross the timing pads located at the Start Line, Midway Point, and Finish Line.

After the race, participants will receive both their Start Time (Gun Time) and Net Time—timing begins when you cross the Start Line and stops when you cross the Finish Line.

At the Finish Line

Once you’ve crossed the Finish Line:

• Do not cross back over the timing pads.

• Celebrate your accomplishment!

• Collect your Finisher’s Medal, strike a pose at the Photo Booth, and join the Q105 Post-Race Celebration!

Important Notes for Dual Event Participants

If you plan to run both the 15K and 5K on Saturday, February 21, 2026, you must register separately for each event unless you are participating in the Michelob Ultra Challenge.

• You will receive two race numbers—one for the 15K and one for the 5K.

• During the 15K, wear only your 15K race number.

• Before starting the 5K, remove your 15K bib and replace it with your 5K race number.

Because the ChronoTrack timing system is extremely sensitive, wearing or carrying multiple bibs at once may interfere with your official results.

FinisherPix, the Official Photographers of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic, allows you to order your photos now & save!

You can receive the FinisherPix Photo Pack in Digital Format for a small fee. The FinisherPix Photo Pack includes ALL photos we identify of you in all digital formats (Basic digital image, Digital images with Finish Time, Digital images in certificate format). A link to download all images will automatically be emailed when the photos are available online.

Presale Pricing

15K                                                                        $19.99
5K                                                                          $14.99
Half Marathon                                                   $29.99
8K                                                                          $14.99
Michelob Ultra Challenge                               $69.99
Michelob Ultra Pure Gold Challenge           $44.99
Michelob Ultra Infusions Challenge            $29.99
Michelob Ultra Zero Challenge                     $29.99

To purchase the 2026 PGDC FinishersPix, register online. If you have registered, please use the link below to order your 2026 PGDC PFinishersPix.

PGDC FinishersPix

🎖️ 2026 PGDC Supporter Medals

Throughout the 2026 PGDC Race Weekend, thousands of runners and walkers will take on the challenge—stepping up to their Start Lines and heading down Bayshore Boulevard toward their Finish Lines. Every mile completed is the result of countless hours of training, dedication, and support.

But behind every runner is a team—family, friends, and loved ones who supported their journey. Whether it was helping with meals, laundry, hydration, snacks, or offering words of encouragement, they were there every step of the way.

Now it’s your turn to say thank you.

💙 A Medal for Your Biggest Fans

The 2026 PGDC Supporter Medals are your way to honor the people who helped get you to the finish line. After you receive your finisher’s medal, walk up to your supporter, present them with their own medal, and say:

“Because of you, I crossed the finish line… thank you!”

Let them feel the joy and pride of being part of your PGDC experience.

🏅 About the Supporter Medals

• Design: Replicas of the official 2026 PGDC 15K, 5K, Half Marathon, and 8K Finisher’s Medals

• Finish: Acrylic (to distinguish from race finisher medals)

• Includes: The same vibrant, event-themed ribbon

📦 How to Get Yours

• Haven’t registered yet? Register now and add a Supporter Medal to your order.

• Already registered? Click here to order your Supporter Medal separately.

Finish Line Engravers

Celebrate your accomplishment in style!
Commemorate your perseverance and pride by personalizing your 2026 PGDC Finisher Medal (including multiple events and Challenges) with your name and official net finish time.

After you cross the finish line, visit the Finish Line Engravers Booth located in the Runner Revive Area on the Platt Street Bridge. Their team will engrave your medal on the spot, turning your hard-earned achievement into a lasting keepsake.

When purchasing, please specify the bib number(s) you’d like engraved.

How to Order

• Before race day: Add the 2026 PGDC Finish Line Engraving to your online registration.

• Already registered? Use the link below to order your engraving now!

👉 Order Your 2026 PGDC Finish Line Engraving

💆‍♂️ Pre- & Post-Race Massage Services

Get ready to recover like a pro! The Gasparilla Massage Team will be onsite offering Post-Race Massage Services following the:

• Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K & 5K (Saturday)

• Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon & 8K (Sunday)

🗓️ Massage Availability

Dates:

• Saturday & Sunday, after your race

Services & Rates:

• 15-Minute Massage: $21

• 20-Minute Massage: $28

💡 Save by booking early! These rates apply only to prepaid massages made through online registration.
Race Day pricing will be slightly higher.

🧾 How to Purchase

• Not registered yet? Register now and add your message during sign-up.

• Already registered? Click here to purchase your Post-Race Massage separately.

Make the most of your race weekend—relax, recover, and reward yourself!