Race Across the Bay, A Guide to Bay Area Runs and Races

Bay Area runners have plenty of opportunities to take part in 5K races, marathons and charity runs throughout the year. The winter holidays and early part of the new year are prime times to give those sneakers a workout. Maybe it’s the milder weather and light breezes, a time for goodwill and generosity or a sharper focus and commitment to good health. We don’t know the reason for the plethora of running events but we’re happy to present this helpful guide so you can sign up and take part or support other runners over the holidays and during the first quarter of 2022. Here is a hearty selection of race options listed chronologically across Tampa Bay – some to help you achieve fitness goals, others to do good for others and others just for fun.

DESTINATION TAMPA BAY welcomes any information about additional races or charity runs inadvertently left off the list. Email us at editor@destinationtampabay.com and be sure to send us the details and a link to where others can find out more. For those of you who participate and wish to share photos on Instagram or Facebook with DESTINATION TAMPA BAY, please tag us and use the hashtags #DestinationTampaBay, #besttamparuns #raceacrosstampabay. You can also post your images directly to the DESTINATION TAMPA BAY Group Page! On your mark…get set…go!

DECEMBER:

Run Tampa Tinsel Run

WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Al Lopez Park, 4810 Himes Avenue, Tampa
DONATION OPPORTUNITY: MEB Foundation
LEARN MORE: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Tampa/TinselRun?fbclid=IwAR045SaCkUolkXf-AzrndKjYmL7hx5SGR3zd07L0HEPoqReabuL-ysSIFhc

2021 Reindeer Run to Support MASH (Palm Harbor)

WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: John Chesnut Sr. Park, 2200 E. Lake Road S., Palm Harbor
BENEFICIARY: MASH program of YMCA of the Suncoast
LEARN MORE: https://www.ymcasuncoast.org/events/run-support-mash

Jingle Bell Run (Tampa)

WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: George Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa
BENEFICIARY: Arthritis Foundation
LEARN MORE: https://www.facebook.com/events/george-m-steinbrenner-field/jingle-bell-run-tampa-2021/223781426369183/

AdventHealth Santa’s Twilight 5K (Safety Harbor)

WHEN: Saturday, December 11, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Safety Harbor Marina Park, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor
DONATION OPPORTUNITY: Pinellas Toys for Tots
LEARN MORE: https://www.santastwilight5k.com/

Fred Howard Park 5K/10K (Tarpon Springs)

WHEN: Saturday, December 18, 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Fred Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs
BENEFICIARY: not applicable
LEARN MORE: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/TarponSprings/FH1218?aflt_token=vkmwDmweQ4iCYn8otSOOnKQ3vCO8buOw

Say No to Drugs Holiday Classic (Clearwater Beach)

WHEN: Saturday, December 18, 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Sand Key Park, 1060 Gulf Boulevard, Clearwater Beach
BENEFICIARY: proceeds benefit various local nonprofits
LEARN MORE: https://www.facebook.com/saynotodrugsrace

Hot Chocolate 15K/5K (Tampa)

WHEN: Sunday, December 19, 7:00 a.m.
WHERE: Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin Street, Tampa
BENEFICIARY: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
LEARN MORE: https://hotchocolate15k.com/city/tampa/

Downtown Dunedin Holiday 5K/10K/15K at HOB Brewing Company

WHEN: Sunday, December 26, 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: HOB (House of Beers) Brewing Company, 941 Huntley Avenue, Dunedin
BENEFICIARY: Finish Lines for Scholarships 501c3
LEARN MORE: https://www.active.com/dunedin-fl/running/distance-running-races/the-downtown-dunedin-holiday-5k-10k-and-15k-at-hob-brewing-company-2021?afid=156210&ltcmp=254301&ltclickid=12_79630057_ea12df62-8854-4730-8286-a220524c06b5&cmp=39N-DP260-BND10-SD230-DM20&cdg=affiliate-254301

JANUARY:

New Year’s Day Beach 5K (Indian Shores)

WHEN: Saturday, January 1, 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Caddy’s Waterfront Indian Shores, 20025 Gulf Boulevard, Indian Shores
BENEFICIARY: Finish Lines for Scholarships 501c3
LEARN MORE: https://www.active.com/indian-shores-fl/running/distance-running-races/the-annual-new-year-s-day-5k-at-caddys-pub-pick-your-medal-2022

Miles for Migraine 2-Mile Walk, 5K Run and Relax Tampa

WHEN: Saturday, January 22, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Simmons Park, USF Tampa Campus, 12101 USF Beard Drive, Tampa
BENEFICIARY: USF Headache Center
LEARN MORE:  https://www.facebook.com/milesformigraine

FEBRUARY:

Strawberry Distance Challenge (Plant City)

WHEN: Saturday, February 12, 7:30 a.m.
WHERE: Walden Lake Polo Fields, 3035 Griffin Boulevard, Plant City
BENEFICIARY: The Shade Tree and other area nonprofits
LEARN MORE: https://strawberrydistancechallenge.com/

Keel Farms Love Run 5K (Plant City)

WHEN: Saturday, February 12, 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Keel and Curley Winery, 5202 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City
BENEFICIARY: Florida Giant Dog Rescue
LEARN MORE: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PlantCity/KeelFarmsWineRun5k

Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic (Tampa)

WHEN: Saturday, February 26 & Sunday, February 27, 7:00 a.m.
WHERE: various Downtown Tampa locations (see event website)
BENEFICIARY: various Tampa Bay area nonprofits
LEARN MORE: https://rungasparilla.com/

MARCH:

5th Annual Skyway 10K (St. Petersburg)

WHEN: Sunday, March 6 (see website regarding bus wave times to the bridge)
WHERE: Bus to transport runners at Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg; race is from Manatee County side northbound to Pinellas County over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, St. Petersburg
BENEFICIARY: Armed Forces Families Foundation
LEARN MORE: https://www.skyway10k.com/

The Downtown Dunedin St. Patrick’s Week 5K at HOB Brewing Company

WHEN: Sunday, March 13, 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: HOB (House of Beers) Brewing Company, 931 Huntley Avenue, Dunedin
BENEFICIARY: Finish Lines for Scholarships 501c3
LEARN MORE: https://www.active.com/dunedin-fl/running/distance-running-races/the-downtown-dunedin-st-patrick-s-week-5k-at-hob-brewing-company-2022

41st Annual Driscoll’s Strawberry Classic

WHEN: Saturday, March 19, 7:00 a.m.
WHERE: Temple Terrace Elementary School 124 Flotto Avenue, Tampa
BENEFICIARY: Meals on Wheels of Tampa and Children’s Dream Fund
LEARN MORE: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Tampa/41stAnnualDriscollsStrawberryClassic

2022 St. Petersburg Heroes 5K

WHEN: Friday, March 25, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Demen’s Landing Park, Bayshore Drive and 2nd Avenue S., Downtown St. Pete
BENEFICIARY: Heroes of the St. Pete Police and Fire, Inc.
LEARN MORE: https://www.active.com/st-petersburg-fl/running/distance-running-races/the-st-petersburg-heroes-5k-2022?int=

Inaugural 5K for K-12 (Tampa)

WHEN: Saturday, March 26, 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: USF Tampa Campus, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa
BENEFICIARY: Proceeds benefit professional development opportunities for local K-12 teachers
LEARN MORE: https://www.usf.edu/education/anchin/get-involved/5k_for_k12.aspx

Content provided by Chris Kuhn for Destination Tampa Bay. All photos are for editorial purposes only to promote the various races-all right reserved. For previous year’s runs check pout the St. Pete Run Fest here.

The post Race Across the Bay, A Guide to Bay Area Runs and Races appeared first on Destination Tampa Bay™.