Always a favorite race! The Zoo Run Run (always in August) and the ZooZoom (usually in March) at…read morethe Lowry Park Zoo is such a great time and you get some great perks for entering early like free entry to the zoo on the day of the race, as well as free tickets to come back within the next 365 days! Talk about a great deal. The course pretty much kicks butt: they always change it up which way they take you so it's not a boring out-and-back race. You get to run along the Hillsborough River, and my favorite park: you get to run through the zoo exhibits!!! Depending on the route they take you, you could end up running through the indoor exhibits by the snakes, reptiles, and manatees or by the orangutans. How cool is that?? The race is all chip-timed (with the chip on the bib number), and really professionally done. After having a mishap at one of the races where a bunch of runners ended up getting lost on the course, this year they did a killer job of marking the race path very well so I didn't get lost this time! Hooray! The post-race party is always fun and they usually get some great food vendors and fun freebee offers to come in and sample. This year, PDQ came along with Lenny's subs, Chik-fil-A, KIND bars, Orange Theory fitness, and their faithful, long-time sponsor Sagicor. If you're into races, this one definitely needs to be on your list.

The Annual Tampa YMCA Turkey Gobble 1 mile, 5k, & 8k Race is an out and back annual Thanksgiving…read moreRace Tradition for the whole family to burn some calories before you consume a whole bunch of calories during your Thanksgiving Feast! The Turkey Gobble starts and ends at The Amalie Arena located at 401 Channelside Drive in Downtown Tampa. Patrons can choice between a 1 mile fun run, 5K, or 8K run or walk and a 5k virtual run. Strollers and dogs are welcome. The 5k registration fee is $30-$35, the 8k registration fee is $35-$40, the 1 mile run registration fee is $20, and the virtual 5k is $30 to $35. All race participants get a turquoise turkey gobble shirt with an angry turkey on it and upon finishing the race, participants get a finisher medal with an angry turkey that is the same regardless of which race you did. Unfortunately, the Turkey Gobble starts all 3 races at the same time at 7am and does not organize seperate heats for fast runners, medium fast runners, and walkers, and it holds all 3 races on the same track going down bayshore. The people doing the 1 mile and the 5k race turn around on bayshore earlier than the people running the 8k. So the people running the 5k & 8k have to battle a bunch of walkers who started in front of them because they were not told to stay in the back and the people walking that are turning around after the 1 mile halfway mark and the 5k halfway mark. For next year, management needs to have seperate start times for the 1 mile, 5k, and 8k races and needs to have 3 seperate heats for each race for fast runners, average runners, and walkers like for the Gasparilla distance classic so runners are not constantly dodging walkers. Management also should make seperate medals for the 1mile, 5k and 8k so people actually have recognition for which race they ran. I hope management can improve upon this event for next year as it is a good way to burn calories before consuming a bunch of calories during Thanksgiving!

I got to the race about 30 minutes prior to starting and I did enjoy that the beginning was at the…read moreAmalie Arena, the morning was pretty foggy and I was shocked how many people showed up. But that's when it started getting out of control. The announcer made it clear that everyone was racing at the same time except the family friendly and pets but still they should have made the 5K and 8k separate there were so many people crowded together to start the race I was closer to front so luckily it wasn't to bad. We raced(trotted) down towards bayshore and then once you hit the water station if needed then another mile and it was time to turn around. I loved seeing everyone who dressed up in costumes and definitely themed out for this event. When we got finished the lines for the medals were crowded but once you made it through it felt good to have the medal in your hand! A great accomplishment for sure! They did provide water and snacks as well.

Race trace was great but internet service poor. I highly recommend investing upgrade or offering…read morehot spots for rent. Many work remotely and this is not possible due to services.

My father and I been coming to this race track for the past couple of years since returning home in…read more2012. They offer different racing venues to the raceway such as Street Stock, Sprints, Late models, Southern Dirt Modifieds and some other race divisions. There is a lot of seating area's for the fans plenty of parking spots for general admissions, handicapped and VIP parking as well. There is a snack bar that offers different kinds of drinks, beer and snacks for the race fan. Also keep in mind if you plan on seating down at the bottom of the stands make sure you wear something to protect yourself and your love one beause mud flies every where. Also this race track is home to the Winter Nationals for all the big boys who come to Florida to put on a great show for everyone who loves dirt racing.

I participated in the inaugural half marathon in 2009, and again in 2010. I am super amazed at how…read moreorganized and well run this event was pulled off both years. Organizing so many people cannot be an easy task. The route is scenic with a lot of interesting views as you make your way through the course. A plethora of bathrooms are available at the start and finish line as well as throughout the course. Different musical groups sometimes play along the course. I love the finisher's medals here as well. The 1/2 marathon and the 5k metals are not the same, so if getting the metal is important to you, make sure to find out which one you will be receiving. The metals are unique in that they have a removable charm you can use on a necklace or bracelet after wards. Overall this is a great group adventure and exciting. Some people even walk the entire way and that is acceptable as well--they are not super strict about times at this event.

Women's running events are my jam. I've run this one twice, once in 2011 and this year. I…read moreparticipated both times in the half marathon and have nothing but awesome things to say (Except one thing. The band at the end. Please never again.) The expo started on time, was quick and they gave out all information online and through email so that there was never any guessing as to where to park or where to go. There were plenty of bathrooms to use before the race however there may have been some volunteers needed to let runners know where the second set was. The lines were pretty long at the porta-potties nearest to the starting line were packed. The other set of porta-potties (which there were tons) had no lines and as soon as I spotted those I ran my little butt over there. Nothing makes a girl have to pee more than a starting line. The volunteers were excellent, the crowd support was amazing (AMAZING), and the whole course was well planned and interesting. Can I move to St. Pete now? It is so cool! A great way to showcase it's new restaurants and shops. The after party had fresh Natalie's juices (oh good Lord) and frozen banana slices covered in dark chocolate. That was the best post race food I've ever had. Chocolate and grapefruit juice. Strange, but oh man, so great. A great race and even better if you can sign up earlier and save some money, this one gets pricey.

Before I start, I want to add special appreciation for Master Trooper Toni Schuck. She's the LEO…read morewho positioned herself & her vehicle in harm's way to stop the intoxicated wrong-way driver on Race Day. I know many volunteers were still at the starting line, & the last wave of racers, as well as bridge support volunteers, were still on the bridge then, so the outcome could've been so much worse without her impulsive & heroic sacrifice. Thank you, Master Trooper Schuck. This review is based on my experience as a volunteer for the 5th annual Skyway 10k in 2022. I signed up for Bridge Support, hoping for great views. Though I was not disappointed, only racers & media were allowed on the incline spans of the bridge. I was posted at the first water station, about a mile into the race course, so I assume all 8,000 racers passed me that morning. And my views were indeed AMAZING! Important note about the Skyway 10k: every cent from registration fees goes to the Armed Forces Families Foundation (AFFF). Not to toot my own horn, because my position was easy aside from waking up super early, this event would not be possible without the countless volunteers that show up & offer their time. And so many racers thanked me for volunteering, which caught me completely off-guard the first dozen times. Also surprising, to me, was the age range of racers: every adult generation was represented! Fitness level also ran the gamut, which leads me to wonder if I should register myself next year. But, if I don't, I'm definitely volunteering again. My only complaint is that I was confused about when I needed to arrive at Tropicana Field. The Bridge Support shift was to begin at 5am, but I didn't know if that was when I should arrive, or if I needed to arrive sooner to take a bus & be IN POSITION at 5am. So I arrived at 4:05am. I was indeed early for my position (1st, actually), but I was still surprised by the number of racers already queued for the 1st wave (their buses began leaving at 4:45am). Closer to race time, after 6am, 2 more volunteers were dropped off at our post, so I'm certain I was early. I was checked in quickly, then issued my volunteer t-shirt (which is so soft!) & hazard vest. I was also offered my choice of boxed lunch (ham or turkey) & a couple of lapel pins (JUST for volunteers!). Side note, I took my Jimmy John's turkey sandwich to work on Monday & it was delicious. At Tropicana Field, after the bus leaders were given their instructions & headed toward their posts, Starting Line & Bridge Support volunteers were addressed. I wish the coordinator had a megaphone because I couldn't hear every word, but I don't think I missed any vital info. We then headed through the metal detectors & boarded a bus. After stopping at the Starting Line at the southern end of the northbound bridge span, the 6 of us remaining decided amongst ourselves which of the 3 water stations we would work. Though my friend & I chose the 1st station, which was the furthest from the main bridge span, we had a great view across the water. The other 2 water stations were at the beginning & end of the incline, so those views were much different. Starting off, we had 2 giant tanks of water, each with fountain-style faucets. The faucets were awkward so we needed to show most people how to use them. The water aggressively spurted straight up & the reactions were amusing. We also encountered many racers that seemed irritated we had no cups, but the organizers did not want any trash on the bridge that could blow into the bay. There were port-o-lets near our water station, which I appreciated. Right before the race started, I used one & found it to be sparkling clean & well-stocked. We were dismissed from our post around 8:20am, after the last wave of racers had started, & we were told we could walk the bridge if we wanted. My friend has a physical reaction to heights, so I knew she wasnt going further than the second water station at the base of the incline, but I wanted to walk as far as could in spite of my aching feet from standing for 4 hours. However, when the last racers passed me, I got on the next bus, which conveniently was the one my friend was already on. Our ride back to the Trop still took over an hour but the organization was very smooth. It was also quite strict, as we were stopped after loading racers to add 7 more to fill every seat. Back at Tropicana Field, the after party was fantastic. Several food trucks were parked, along with a number of retail vendors, a couple of alcohol samples, & a decent band. The QR code signs for race results were cool, too, so I could see how my athletic friends did. My volunteering experience for this year's Skyway 10k was so enjoyable & much more rewarding than I expected. Now I'm thinking I may want to participate next year. As a volunteer this year, I get priority registration for 2023, so we'll see how ambitious I feel when registration opens. Either way, though, I'll be back!

A fun novelty 5K run. The course is a non timed trail run where zombies try and grab your flags. I…read morehad a good time trying to out run the zombies. The zombies ranged in all ages and were fully engaging. This is a cool run to do and check it off your run list. I was a bit disappointed in the after party, hardly any vendors or food trucks. I also did not see any after race snacks like you normally see.

From the owner: Run for your life from flesh hungry Zombies through a 3.1 mile trail run where ZOMBIES are the…read moreobstacles!

Totally worth it! I mean seriously it is free! Can't beat free fun! We did not have tickets. We…read morecame right before 7. They let us know to sit on the side while the 7pm people came. Once they did, she accumulated extra tickets for us to go in. Once inside the wait seemed forever. They would let a certain number of people in a group each time. We finally got in around 7:20pm! For sure jumping in is hard when you are bare footed. You can easily get stuck under. It's like drowning, but a bunch of balls instead of water! The most fun or most difficult is trying to get out! Phew! I felt so happy and free after playing around for a bit! What a great fun concept. Those were the days of Chuckie cheese ball pits! Here it is again!

What an awesome event! And it was completely free! Huge thanks to the Vinik Foundation for bringing…read morethis amazing experience to Tampa! I didn't expect to have so much fun in a ball pit... nor did I expect it to be so physically challenging! The first time I fell, I needed help to get back up, and just walking through the balls was hard! The *shore* with lounge chairs & umbrellas was a nice way to catch my breath. Due to my kids' work & college schedules, Sunday was really the best day for us to go together. I ordered our free tickets online several weeks before the multi-week event began, and 5pm 8/21 was the only slot still available for a group of 6... That's how popular this event was, sight unseen! Once I realized The Beach Tampa would be closing at 6pm on Sundays, I was concerned our time would be limited. However, worrying was not necessary. At the entrance outside, we queued up to enter precisely at our ticketed time. Then inside, we waited again as staff monitored the number of people inside the actual *beach* area for safety and enjoyment, allowing people to enter as others left. The line moved quickly at this point, but we still weren't able to go in until after 5:30. Luckily, staff had already announced to everyone that even the very last person to enter would get a minimum of 45 minutes to enjoy The Beach. I really hope The Beach returns to Tampa!

Came to Tampa Bay Grand Prix for my Husbands birthday…read more Never been before so as our first time experience, it went really well especially for my son. It was his first time driving a go kart, and the arena is really laid out nice super spacious. Each round you get 12 laps. They had a great time going around the track. For the price I feel like it's a deal and they even have specials during the week . Definitely will be back soon.

We have been here a couple of times. You have to buy a membership but the good news is they keep…read morerecords and they can look you up and you don't have to pay each time just once and your good to go. It works best if you make reservations before you go so you don't have to wait. They give you a clean head garment to put on before your helmet. Nice touch. The carts are electric so they are fast enough. They also have carts for the little ones. I wish they would keep the inexperienced drivers from the experience ones as it can cause so hard hits to the inexperienced drivers as they don't know the racing lines. I know they do birthday parties, they have some drinks and snacks to enjoy. After each race you can pick up your trimming sheet to see how your time stacks up. We will be back as fun times were had!

This event was put on so well! The food trucks were yummy, the entertainment was enjoyable and the…read moreboat races had me on the edge of my seat! The emcee was hilarious and kept everyone informed but also interested, even 3 hours in!

Dont spend your hard earned money here! The owner won't stick to his word in payout, he tries to…read morejunk other drivers during racing so he can "make a show", he is a hazarz to every driver on that track. If you eat here say a prayer you won't get food poisoning. Yoho doesn't follow food safety measures, some food I swear is reheated from the night before, ketchup and mustard bottles just left out in the weather. The bathrooms are disgusting! He doesn't pay drivers the amounts that are promised! Find another track!

We went here today to watch the races. The gates opened at 530PM. As of 6PM we still couldn't get…read moreeven something to drink. The rest rooms looked like they had not been updated since the 1960's . There was no soap or paper towels. Very nasty. I got a refund and left. We will never go back again.