Can I register on race day?
Do you take credit cards on race day?
Yes. Cash also.
What is the race refund policy?
To receive a refund, deferral, or credit, you must register by November 12, 2022 for the St. Petersburg Distance Classic and notify the race director by email (not Facebook) at least 3 weeks before the race or by January 22, 2023 which is when we order your bibs. There are no refunds due to cancellations due to an Act of God, such as weather, COVID. No deferral or transfer is available if you do not show up for the race. For more information please go here.
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 bracket than yourself. They will be disqualified. You and the other individual will be prohibited from running in our races for 3 years.
How do Canadians and international runners register?
Is there online confirmation?
Athletes who register online receive immediate confirmation from Active.com.
What do I do if I cannot find my registration?
Packet Pickup
Are there packet pickups before the race?
Yes. There are 4 packet pickups before the race. Click here for schedule.
Can someone else pick up my race packet?
Can I pick up my packet on race day?
Directions, Parking, Bag Drop Off
How do I get to the start line at North Shore Park, St. Petersburg?
Is there parking?
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 2023 and beyond. Certification number is FL19019TY.
Are the courses certified?
When is the start time?
7:00 a.m. Start of 5K Race / Walk
Timing?
Is there a course time limit?
The finish line for all races will be open for 6 hours from the 6:30 a.m. start, meaning 12:30 p.m.
Anyone expecting to exceed a 14 minute pace are required to start early at 6:00 am, and stay on the sidewalk until runners starting at 6:30 am pass by.
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., regardless of start time. Athletes slower than that will need to 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. Due to our insurance restrictions and liability concerns, only runners, joggers and walkers are allowed.
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
SAME AID STATIONS ARE USED FOR FOR THE 10K & 5K
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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.
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Fresh Florida Oranges will also be available along the St. Petersburg Marathon and the St. Petersburg Halfathon courses.
- 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 them. BRING YOUR OWN GELS!
Is there medical support?
SAG vehicle?
Will there be food at the finish line?
Awards
Will I receive a finisher medal?
When is the award ceremony and where is it held?
What are the awards and age group breakdowns?
- 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 – 3 deep
Sponsorship and Booth Space
How do I become a sponsor?
I'm interested in getting booth space at the race. How do I find out about this?
Virtual Run
Is there a virtual run for this race?
Volunteers
I would like to volunteer. How can I do this?
What is the Volunteer Fundraising Opportunity?
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?
Florida Road Races is a family-owned and operated business, with its owners, Rya and Chris Lauber, residents of St. Petersburg since 1990. 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 a number of local, micro non-profits such as running clubs, youth athletic teams, etc. that support our races with their volunteers.
2) We offer direct support to athletes in financial need through our Entry Fee Assistance program. We also invite local elite athletes to participate so they can continue to improve.
3) 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 are raising funds for their pet projects.
4) Through our races, we provide exposure to other fundraising events via Facebook post, emails, and our goody bags.
5) Our biggest area of charitable endeavor is to provide our race management services, equipment 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.
6) 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.
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 so many diverse ways.
Finally, for each individual athlete who participates with us, we offer the opportunity to achieve goals they once thought impossible.

We’re located in the beautiful Tampa Bay area, with races in St. Petersburg, Fort DeSoto Park, and Madeira Beach to Largo.

“Thanks again for a well-run race! For me it is local, but it is worth traveling to. Florida is very pretty this time of year. The weather is unpredictable, but you will never run in snow 🙂 and you will rarely run in rain. There are lots of inexpensive local hotels and plenty to do in this area. The race staff is well-organized, the volunteers (and lots of them) are all very friendly and helpful. The race is relatively small so the pack breaks up within a mile and you can usually get a good time. The race has been well-supported. Today we had a lot of wind which made it a challenge, but that’s why we do this, right?”
– Tom Wells, St. Petersburg, FL
Our 2022-23 Season
Fort De Soto Distance Classic
15K, 10K, 5K & Virtual
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Fort De Soto Park
Downtown St. Pete