Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Hops Marathon may add prize money

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 19, 2001

The Hops Marathon, which drew 3,152 runners to its inaugural race on Dec. 10 in Tampa, could begin to offer prize money as soon as this year, race director Susan Harmeling said.

"I feel certain it will happen. I don't know when it will happen," Harmeling said. "We don't want to overextend financially. We want to make sure we can handle it before we do it.

"It's an issue we're going to be discussing."

The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, which operates the Hops Marathon, is consumed with preparations for the 24th Gasparilla Distance Classic on Feb. 24 and will not make a decision on prize money for the marathon until March or April, Harmeling said.

By offering prize money, the race could appeal to world-class runners. The Gasparilla Distance Classic, which annually draws more than 10,000 competitors to its signature 15K race and accompanying 5K, offered prize money through 1998 (more than $70,000 in '98) but no longer does.

Also, Harmeling said the marathon will have an accompanying half-marathon instead of an 8K. The half-marathon works out better logistically, and the 8K had a disappointing turnout.

"(The 8K) was a mistake, but overall (the marathon) was pretty darn fantastic," Harmeling said. "The comments we got were incredible. I wish I could bottle them.

"I'd love to see double the participation (Dec. 9). We'll do our part to promote it and build it up."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright