30,000 Runners, Spectators Anticipated For Gasparilla Distance Classic

TAMPA, FL — Those headed to downtown Tampa Saturday should be prepared for some traffic congestion and road closures as thousands of runners take to the streets for the Gasparilla Distance Classic.

Between racers and spectators, an estimated 30,000 people are expected to converge on downtown Tampa Saturday morning.

The event includes a 15K wheelchair race that gets underway at 6:40 a.m. Saturday at Brorein and Franklin streets.

The 15K race, 10K race and half marathon will be run in two waves starting at 6:45 and 6:55 a.m. at Brorein and Franklin streets.

Check-in begins at 6 a.m. at the Tampa Convention Center where the ABC Action News Health & Fitness Expo is taking place, featuring more than 100 health and wellness professionals offering advice, products and activities.

To accommodate the racers and crowds, the city of Tampa will temporarily close roads on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, the following roads will be closed:

2:30 a.m.

• E Brorein Street from S Jefferson Street to Bayshore Boulevard
• W Platt Street/Channelside Drvie from S Plant Avenue to S Morgan Street
• Selmon Expressway eastbound Exit 6A Downtown West ramp to S Florida Avenue
• Bayshore Boulevard from W Brorein Street to W Platt Street
• S Ashley Drive between E Whiting Street and Channelside Drive
• S Florida Avenue between E Brorein Street and Water Street
• E Whiting Street (westbound lane only) from S Florida Avenue to S Tampa Street
• S Morgan Street between E Brorein Street and Water Street

4 a.m.

• S Tampa Street from E Whiting Street to E Brorein Street
• S Franklin Street between E Whiting Street and Water Street

5 a.m.

• Bayshore Boulevard between W Platt Street and W Gandy Boulevard
• W Gandy Boulevard between S Zion Street and Bayshore Boulevard

On Sunday, the following roads will be closed:

2:30 a.m.

• Bayshore Boulevard between W Brorein Street and W Swann Avenue
• W Platt Street/Channelside Drive from S Plant Avenue to S Franklin Street

4 a.m.

• S Franklin Street between Channelside Drive and Water Street

5 a.m.

• Bayshore Boulevard between W Swann Avenue and W Gandy Boulevard

6 a.m.

• S Plant Avenue/Davis Boulevard between W Platt Street and Baltic Circle
• E Davis Boulevard between Baltic Circle and Hudson Avenue/Channel Drive
• S Davis Boulevard between Hudson Avenue/Channel Drive and Severn Avenue
• W Davis Boulevard between Baltic Circle and Severn Avenue