Running

Masters runners shoot for big bucks

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 25, 2006

TAMPA - Local and Masters runners (40 years and older) have the best chances to make the most money this weekend.

In today's 15K race, the prize money breakdown for the top five men's and women's local finishers from Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Sarasota or Manatee counties (full-time residents) comes from a purse totaling $10,000 ($2,000, $1,500, $750, $500, $250).

For Sunday's Bank of America Marathon, $10,000 will be awarded to the top overall men's and women's finishers ($2,250, $1,250, $750, $500, $250) and $30,000 will be given to the top five male and female Masters finishers ($8,000, $3,500, $2,000, $1,000, $500).

BY THE NUMBERS: More than 6,100 runners are registered to run in today's 5K race and almost 3,500 runners are registered to run in today's 15K. Nearly 2,000 runners will compete in Sunday's half marathon while 1,300 will race in the marathon.

Only 73 competitors, however, are registered to attempt the ultimate running weekend: Running the 15K and 5K races today and Sunday's marathon. Nearly 170 are scheduled to run in the 15K, 5K and half marathon.

SAME TIME NEXT YEAR: Seven runners - Dorothy Laker, Stuart Carrier, Lewis Harris, Kenneth Clark, Mike Shaver, Rob Mason and Thomas Singletary - have competed in every Gasparilla Road Race since 1978.

OLDEST PARTICIPANT: Millie Nuoffer, 89, who is walking in her seventh consecutive 5K race this morning, lived in Dunedin for 30 years until November. This week she drove with her husband, Dennis, from their new home in Michigan because she couldn't stand the thought of breaking the streak.

EATS AND DRINKS: Race officials estimate that 17,000 bananas, 1,550 gallons of bottled water, 3,500 gallons of sports drinks, 10,000 ounces of energy gell, 750 gallons of cola and 3,000 rolls of toilet paper will be consumed/used following races this weekend. Also, more than 3,000 volunteers will be on hand to distribute those items to racers.

[Last modified February 25, 2006, 01:37:13]