Event Description
Saturday, October 29th, 8:00 AM
Tired of pounding the pavement on the same ole 5K race course? Go-pher something different and enjoy 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) of natural trails through one of Tampa Bay’s hidden gems!
The Gopher Weedon trail run will take runners and walkers along a journey through native Florida habitats, including gorgeous views of Tampa Bay. This unique, professionally-timed race will occur on Saturday, October 29th at the Weedon Island Preserve - a 3,700-acre preserve nestled along Tampa Bay in northeast St. Petersburg. The race course winds through mangroves, salt marsh and Florida scrub habitat along well-maintained dirt and boardwalk trails. Runners may catch a glimpse of wildlife, including the slow-moving gopher tortoise (a threatened species for which the race was named), as well as relic Indian mounds and dune ridges left by the preserve’s earliest inhabitants.
After the race, enjoy refreshments before strolling through the Cultural and Natural History Center, where you can learn more about the prehistoric people and the natural environment.
All proceeds from the race will benefit the Friends of Weedon Island, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization that supports environmental preservation and education at the Weedon Island Preserve.
All registered runners/walkers will receive:
- Technical Race T-shirt;
- Professional race timing and race results;
- Awards for each age group, 3-deep;
- Refreshments and aid stations; and
- Educational and cultural activities at the cultural center.
Event details and schedule
Gopher Weedon 8km Trail Run
Weedon Island Preserve
1800 Weedon Island Dr NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Optional Packet Pick-up: Friday, October 28th, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Fit2Run, 256 2nd St. N. St. Petersburg.
Race Day is Saturday, October 29, 2022. Start time is 8:00 a.m.
Check-in/Packet Pickup: 7:00-7:45 a.m.
Parking will be in the Cultural and Educational Parking Lot. Space is limited. PLEASE CARPOOL with your friends. Space is limited. Volunteers will direct you to overflow parking (if needed)
Bug Spray suggested
Race begins at 8:00 a.m.
