SEVEN FORMER PUBLIX GASPARILLA HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONS SET TO COMPETE IN SATURDAY’S U.S. MEN’S AND WOMEN’S OLYMPIC MARATHON TRIALS

TAMPA – The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic’s influence on local running has not only touched the lives of thousands of runners for 47 years, but its influence will also be felt on a national level when seven former Gasparilla champions line up to compete in Saturday’s U.S. Olympic Men’s and Women’s Marathon Trials in Orlando.

The list of past Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic winners — all from the event’s half marathon race — taking part in Saturday’s U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials include:

• Jonathan Mott – 2022 and 2023 men’s champion
• Scott Fauble — 2019 men’s champion
• Elkanah Kibet – 2018 men’s champion
• Christina Welsh – 2022 and 2023 women’s champion
• Aliphine Tuliamuk — 2019 women’s champion
• Sara Hall — 2018 women’s champion
• Stephanie Bruce – 2017 women’s champion

“This is a great example of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic race weekend’s reach and speaks volumes about how Tampa’s flat, fast and beautiful Bayshore Boulevard courses have over the years and today, attracted the best,” said Susan Harmeling.  “We’re honored to see so many of our champions in the list of those running and are especially proud of our Tampa Bay local runners and 2017, 2022 & 2023 Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon Champions, Stephanie Bruce, Jonathan Mott and Christina Welsh.”

Saturday’s trials in downtown Orlando begin at 10:10 a.m. for the men and 10:20 a.m. for the women. Although 370 runners are slated to compete in the trials, only the top three men and women from each race earn a spot on the U.S. marathon team in this summer’s Paris Olympic Games. The trials also feature $600,000 in prize money, with the top male and female finisher each winning $80,000. The trials will be available to watch live on Peacock and NBC streaming platforms.

This year’s 2024 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend is set for Feb. 24 (15k and 5k races) and 25 (Half Marathon and 8k) in South Tampa. Late registration is taking place online through Feb. 18. After that date, registration can only be performed at the ABC Action News Health and Fitness Expo, presented by TampaWell, starting Feb. 23 in the Tampa Convention Center. To register and learn more about the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend, please visit: rungasparilla.com

ABOUT THE PUBLIX GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC

The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, established in 1978, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated specifically to raising funds for Tampa Bay area charitable youth organizations and running programs in the Tampa Bay area. Its mission is carried out through the administration of the annual Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend and Jr. Gasparilla Distance Classic and has donated more than $6 million to date.