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The chamber of commerce fundraiser will be April 13 in Walsingham Park, where three different races are planned.
By JULIANNE WU, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 10, 2002
SEMINOLE -- It's a little more than a month away, but planners of the Ninth Annual Seminole Stampede, A Run in the Park, are gearing up for the big event.
It will be April 13 in Walsingham Park, 102nd Avenue between 125th and 131st streets N in Seminole. The event, a major fundraiser for the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce, also winds around the park's 90-acre lake and through the grounds of the Gulf Coast Museum of Art and the Florida Botanical Gardens across the street, north of Walsingham Road.
Included in the festivities are a 10-kilometer race, a 5-kilometer race and a 1-mile fun run.
Gretchen Cain, assistant executive director, said the registration forms may be available at other venues later on. But for now, they are available on the chamber's Web site: seminolechamber.net or at the chamber office, 8400 113th St. N.
The first two Stampedes were held in conjunction with other events in Seminole. In 1994, it coincided with the dedication and opening of the new Lake Seminole Bridge along 102nd Avenue, near Seminole Boulevard. More than 1,500 people took part.
In 1995, the second Stampede accompanied the dedication and opening of the 350-acre Walsingham Park. It attracted about 750 people.
Although the community ran out of events or sites to dedicate, the Stampede proved to be so popular it has been continued as a chamber fundraiser.
Last year's event, which attracted nearly 350 participants, was the first year for the 10K race.
On April 13, races will begin and end at the boat ramp near Walsingham Park's north exit. On race day, late registration will take place at 7:20 a.m., followed by the fun run/walk at 8 a.m. Both the 10K and 5K events will begin at 8:10 a.m.
T-shirts will be given to those with stubs from their race numbers and awards will be given in the various categories.
The Stampede goes on rain or shine. Planners expect between 500 and 1,000 participants this year.
Fees for the event are as follows: 1-Mile Fun Run, $8 for advanced registration and $10 on race day; for the 5K and 10K, $12 in advance and $15 on race day.
The registration deadline is April 5, but the mail postmark deadline is April 2. Those mailed in must include a self-addressed stamped envelope and be sent to: Seminole Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 3337, Seminole, FL 33775-3337.
Sponsors for the event, as well as race day volunteers, are also being sought by the chamber. For information, call 392-3245.
-- Information from Times files used in this report.