By Claire Brinsden Jordan
Our hometown’s world-class running event is a family affair!
This year will be the seventh running of St. Pete Run Fest, our hometown’s world class running event staged at Albert Whitted Park, Nov. 15-17. St. Pete Run Fest is a three-day event with running distances for all levels, including the Regenexx St. Pete Half Marathon & Relay, Rollin’ Oats 10K, Duke Clean Energy Connection 5K, First Horizon Bank PeliKids Youth Run, and Veterinary Emergency Group PeliPaws Dog Walk.
For those who want to participate in multiple events during the weekend, there are four Challenges – the Green Bench Tortuga Triple (all three races), the Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital Dolphin Double (the Half Marathon plus one shorter distance), and the Stingray Double Play (10K and 5K). More than a running event, the weekend includes the Good Sweat Festival, featuring local musicians, artists, entertainers, food and craft breweries, and wellness programming. The festival expo also includes vendors and exhibitors offering the latest in fitness technology, training trends, and nutrition.
St. Pete Run Fest is locally owned and produced by brothers Ryan and Keith Jordan and their families, who brought it to life in 2017 after the city of St. Petersburg approved the major downtown running event. Every year since, except when it was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19, the event has continued to grow and take its place on the world running stage. Recently the St. Pete Half Marathon was named #5 in BibRave’s top 20 “Half Marathons of the Decade.” Runners come from all over the country and the world to run here in beautiful St Pete! The USA Track & Field certified flat and fast run courses start at Albert Whitted Park on St. Pete’s scenic waterfront, then wind through downtown neighborhoods and business districts, showing off what makes our city unique. The 5K and 10K are the only competitive races to include the St. Pete Pier, other than the St Pete Pier Run on July 4, which the Jordans also produce. All the courses include themed aid stations and live performers to inspire and cheer the runners. The finish line in front of the Dali Museum and Mahaffey Theater offers a picturesque setting for runners to celebrate their accomplishment.
For organizations across Tampa Bay who register a large group of runners, St. Pete Run Fest offers the Team Tailgate Zone which includes a prime location at the finish line, entertainment, special food, and drinks. Since its inception, St. Pete Run Fest has been an ocean-friendly event, focused on sustainability. Single-use plastics and Styrofoam are banned from the event to protect the nearby waters of Tampa Bay,
and all cardboard and aluminum are recycled. Run Fest uses “Hiccups” at the water stops, which are made of silicone so they can be washed and reused. All other cups used must be compostable. Finishers receive a stainless-steel keepsake cup or tumbler that can be refilled with water. As part of the “Tees for Trees” program participants can forego their included race shirt to instead contribute to planting a tree in one of our City of St. Petersburg parks. St. Pete Run Fest also strives to give back to the community with several charity partners, including St. Petersburg Free Clinic, St. Pete Youth Farm, and the American Cancer Society’s #GoldTogether program to fight childhood cancers. The PeliPaws dog walk benefits the Pet Pal Animal Shelter.
All the artwork for the event, including shirt, medal, and award designs, are created by Keith Jordan. In fact, St. Pete Run Fest takes great pride in showcasing local talents. Artist Justin Lucci of the Global Love Project adorns the race site and run course with his chalk art of positivity. Local musicians provide live music on two stages at the event, as well as on the course. Groups like Sunshine City Roller Derby offer entertainment for runners on the course.
The Jordans, with help from the City of St. Petersburg and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, are proud to bring St. Pete Run Fest to their beloved hometown and showcase everything that makes St. Pete spectacular! For more information, to volunteer, or to register go to www.stpeterunfest.org.
