Tampa’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K

FEBRUARY 21, 2026

2026 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Click below to view the 2025 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K video!

START TIMES

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

5K Start: Brorein St. & Ashley St.

As in previous years, there will be a designated

Start for the Kellogg’s 5K Stroller Roll and Kashi 5K Walk.

9:35 a.m.
Wave Start #5

Wave #5 Race Number  

5K WAVE START #5

Projected Finish Time: 46 – 50 minutes

Red Wave Staging Area:
Brorein Street between Franklin Street & Florida Avenue

Participant Instructions:

• 5K Wave Start #5 participants will stage on Brorein Street, behind Wave Start #4.

• Enter the staging area through the barricade breaks on the south side of Brorein Street, located at the rear of the Wave Start #5 Corral.

• To access the Wave Start #5 Corral, use Florida Avenue to Brorein Street, then proceed to your designated corral.

• Once all Wave #4 participants have cleared the Start Area, Wave #5 runners will be escorted to the official 5K Start Line at Brorein Street & Ashley Drive.

Important Notes:

• Access to Wave Start Corrals is monitored and controlled according to Projected Finish Times and Race Number colors.

• Please line up in your assigned Wave/Corral for the safety and enjoyment of all participants.

KASHI 5K WALK START

Start Time: 9:55 a.m.

Race Number

(51 minutes & over)

Staging Area:
Franklin Street between Brorein Street & Channelside Drive, behind the Stroller Roll Staging Area

Participant Information:
The Kashi 5K Walk is open to Adults and Kids (5 years & older).

Participants should enter the Kashi 5K Walk Staging Area from the barricade breaks marked with Kashi barricade signage on the west side of Franklin Street, located behind the Stroller Roll Staging Area.

Registered participants should use Franklin Street to access the rear of the 5K Walk Staging Area.

After the Kellogg’s 5K Stroller Roll has started, Kashi 5K Walk participants will be escorted to the official 5K Start Line at Brorein Street & Ashley Drive.

Entry Fees

5K Run ♦ 5K Walk ♦ 5K Stroller Roll

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

REFUNDS AND TRANSFERS

of registration are not allowed at ANY of the

2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend Events.

🏃‍♀️ 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K Registration

📅 Online Registration

• Online registration will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  or until the 5K reaches capacity—whichever comes first.

• Late registration fees will apply beginning Saturday, January 10, 2026.

👨‍👩‍👧 Participation Requirements

EVERY ADULT AND/OR CHILD must:

• Be officially registered, and

• Wear a valid bib number to participate in the:

  • Kashi 5K Walk, or

  • Kellogg’s 5K Stroller Roll
    (Each event has its own dedicated race number.)

📧 Registration Confirmation Emails

Participants who register online and provide a correct email address will receive:

1. An immediate confirmation from Race Roster
2. A Race Week Registration Confirmation Email (by Monday, February 16, 2026)

   This email will include:

   • Race Number

   • Name

   • Address

   • Race Entered

   • Age

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

📬 Mail-In Registration

To register by mail:

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

1. • Fill in the required information, print, and sign the form

   • Include your Entry Fee + $5 Processing Fee

     • Registrations missing the $5 fee will be returned unprocessed.

     • Mail to:
       GDCA
       PO Box 1881
       Tampa, FL 33601

🗓️ Mail-in Deadline:
All mail-in forms must be postmarked by January 9, 2026.
Do not mail after Friday, January 9, 2026.

• Forms received with a postmark after January 9 will be processed on Race Weekend, and Late Registration Fees will apply—if space is still available.

✅ Entry Requirements

• All participants must sign the Race Application Waiver.

• For those under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver.

Runner Premiums

🏃‍♂️ Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K – 2026 Participant Perks

All 2026 15K participants will receive the following:

🎽 Race Gear & Swag:

• Official 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K 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 5K 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 5K Finisher’s Medal

• 2026 PGDC 5K 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 Pick Up

📦 2026 PGDC 5K – Race Packet, T-Shirt & Race Number Pick-Up

Race Packet Pick-Up for the 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K 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.

❗ 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

 5K ChronoTrack Timing Tags

The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association is proud to once again lead the pack in offering runners and walkers the latest in race timing technology.

In 2026, all participants will be timed using the ChronoTrack B-Tag Timing System, developed with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.

How It Works

Each participant’s race bib includes a built-in tag on the back that records timing data as the runner or walker crosses the Start Line and Finish Line transponder pads.

After the race, each participant will receive both their:

• Clock Time – measured from the official start of the race.

• Net Time – measured from when the participant crosses the Start Line to when they cross the Finish Line.

At the Finish Line, there will be no backups — participants will cross, celebrate their accomplishment, receive their Finisher’s Medal, and then head to the Q105 Post-Race Celebration!

Results

• Overall Results (Top 5): Determined by the order of finish.

• Age Group Results: Determined by Net Time.

Important Notes for Multi-Event Participants

Running the 15K and 5K on Saturday, February 21, 2026

If you plan to run both the 15K and 5K, you must register and complete an entry form for each event, unless you are participating in the Michelob Ultra Challenge.

• You will be issued two race numbers – one for the 15K and one for the 5K.

• When running the 15K, wear only your assigned 15K Race Number.

• Before starting the 5K, remove your 15K Race Number and replace it with your 5K Race Number.

⚠️ Because the ChronoTrack Timing Device is highly sensitive, wearing or carrying multiple bibs (for example, your 5K number during the 15K, or vice versa) can interfere with your official results.

Running the 15K & 5K, Plus the 5K Stroller Roll or 5K Walk

If you plan to run the 15K and 5K and also participate in the 5K Stroller Roll or 5K Walk, you must register and complete an entry form for each event.

• When running the 15K, wear only your 15K Race Number.

• Before starting the 5K Run, remove your 15K Race Number and replace it with your 5K Run Race Number.

• If participating in the 5K Stroller Roll or 5K Walk, remove your 5K Run Race Number and wear your assigned event-specific race number.

Again, wearing or carrying more than one race bib at a time may affect your official timing results.

🎖️ 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.

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 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 FinishersPix.

PGDC FinishersPix

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!