Gasparilla gets title sponsor

By Joey Knight, Times Staff Writer
Published October 2, 2007

Publix Super Markets, a presenting sponsor of Gasparilla running events since 2000, was named Tuesday as title sponsor of the 2008 Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend, set for Feb. 8-10.

Publix replaces Bank of America, which announced last summer it was pulling its sponsorship of the Gasparilla marathon, half-marathon, 5K and 15K races after seven years.

"We recognize our customers are living more active lifestyles and we are committed to the total health and wellness of our customers and their families," Shannon Patten, media and community relations manager for Publix, said in a news release.

[Last modified October 2, 2007, 18:02:02]