FEBRUARY 24 – 25, 2024

2024 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Don’t miss the chance to participate in the 2024 Kona Big Wave Challenge which consists of running the 5K on Saturday and 8K on Sunday.

In addition to the individual event Runner Premiums (5K Shirt, 8K Shirt, 5K Finishers Medal, 8K Finishers Medal, 5K Virtual Finisher’s Certificate, 8K Virtual Finisher’s Certificate,  a PGDC ‘Goody Goody’ Virtual Race Bag & one PGDC Branded Publix Reusable Shopping Bag), registered Kona Big Wave Challenge participants will also receive a Kona Big Wave Challenge Jacket.

Those runners and walkers who complete the Kona Big WaveChallenge by participating in and crossing the Finish Lines of the  5K & 8K, will receive a Kona Big Wave Challenge Finisher’s Medal and a Bud Light Seltzer Challenge Finisher’s Certificate. ATTENTION KONA BIG WAVE CHALLENGE WALKERS!  Walkers are welcome in the Kona Big Wave Challenge. Because of road closure permits, a 16-minute per mile pace must be maintained in the 5K & 8K.  For event-specific Walker Information, please visit the 5K & 8K  Runner Info pages.

Challenge Seeded Start Access

Challenge (5K & 8K) Seeded Start Access is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Access for Challenge participants will be based on 5K Seeded Start Requirements. For Seeded Start Access, during online registration upload your qualifying past race results.

Please note that the listed Finish Times are ONLY for those that are requesting a Kona Big Wave Challenge Seeded Number:

Finish Time Requirements for Challenge Seeded Women’s Entry:
Half Marathon – 1:45:00 or less
15K – 1:15:00 or less
10K – 50-minutes or less

Bud Light Seltzer Challenge Entry Fees

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

Refunds and/or transfers of registration are not allowed in the Kona Big Wave Challenge. 

Participants that register online will receive a Race Week Registration Confirmation via email no later than Monday, February 19, 2024.  This confirmation will be in addition to the confirmation received from Race Roster upon completion of online registration.   The Race Week Registration Confirmation will include each participant’s Race Number, Name, Address, Race Entered, and Age.

PLEASE NOTE:  If at any time, you have unsubscribed from the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic E-Blast Database, you WILL NOT receive a Registration Confirmation via email.  You MUST rejoin the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic E-Blast Database. To rejoin, Click Here.

Mail-In Offline Registration Fees:

Please note that due to the administrative costs associated with processing Offline 2024 PGDC Registrations, a $3 Processing Fee must be added to the Total Registration Amount Due – if payment does not reflect the additional $3 Processing Fee, the entry form and payment will be returned.

To register by mail, please complete a 2024 PGDC By-Mail Form-Fillable Registration Form. 

For the form-fillable feature, PGDC Registration Form must be opened in Adobe Reader.  Once opened, click on each field, fill in, and then, print for signing.  Once completed, enclose the Entry Fee Payment and mail it to the following address: GDCA  •  P.O. Box 1881  •  Tampa, Fl. 33601-1881. Registered participants who provide a correct and legible email address will receive a Registration Confirmation via email on or before Monday, February 19, 2024.  Confirmation will include each participant’s assigned Race Number, Name, Address, Race Entered, and Age.

PLEASE NOTE: Registrations by mail must be postmarked by January 12, 2023.  If available, Late Online Registration for the Kona Big Wave Challenge will close on Sunday, February 18, 2024, or when the Kona Big Wave Challenge Sells Out!  There will be no Race Weekend Late Registration for the 2023 Challenges!!!

Finish Line Engravers

Celebrate your perseverance and pride with the help of Finish Line Engravers by personalizing your 2024 PGDC Finisher Medal (including multiple events and Challenges) with your name and net finish time. After you complete your race(s), simply bring your medal(s) to Finish Line Engravers Booth at the Runner Revive Area on the Platt Street Bridge and they will engrave it on the spot! When making your purchase, please designate the number you wish to engrave.

ASICS Runkeeper is the official 2024 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic training app

Are you signed up to run, but not sure of where to start for training? The ASICS Runkeeper app is here to offer the support you need ahead of race day. As part of your registration, ASICS will provide free access to the Runkeeper Go™ premium experience. The app features training plans and guided workouts led by ASICS running coaches. Additionally, users can easily set goals, train, and track their progress in the build-up to the event. Put the worries of training aside, and focus instead on the fun part of reaching your finish line!

Packet Pick Up

Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Packet, T-shirt, and Race Number Pick-Up will take place during the ABC Action News Health & Fitness Expo, presented by Tampa General Hospital being held at the Tampa Convention Center – East Hall on Friday, February 23, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and on Saturday, February 24, beginning at 6:00 a.m.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you are not able to attend the Expo and pick up your Race Number, a Race Number Pick-Up Authorization Form must be completed, signed, and presented by whoever WILL be picking it up for you.  A downloadable version of the Authorization Form can be found below.

Race Number Pick-up Authorization Form

  See your name in a special section in the Tampa Bay Times recognizing that you ran the 2024 PGDC! Select this option and a copy of the printed section will be mailed to your home for only $9.95. This section will publish on Wed., February 28, 2024, and is the perfect memento for all registered participants. For local registered participants, the 2024 PGDC/TBT Special Section will only be available in Single Copy Sales of the Tampa Bay Times on Wed., February 24, 2024.

To purchase the 2024 TBT-PGDC Race Results Special Section Package, register online or by mail. Already registered, please utilize the 2024 TBT-PGDC Race Results Special Section Order Form.