By Gary and Peg Griffin
As you know, the Tallahassee Marathon and Half Marathon, which were to be run on Sunday, February 16, 2003, were canceled due to inclement weather. After meeting with the Board of Directors of Gulf Winds Track Club and discussing the various options that have been proposed, the Board and Race Directors have determined that we will proceed as follows:
The 2003 Tallahassee Marathon will be run at Wakulla Springs State Park on Sunday, December 14, 2003, as part of a “Distance Running Weekend” in Tallahassee. The course is USATF certified and will serve as a Boston Marathon qualifier for 2004. For those of you not familiar with the Wakulla Springs course, it is a 2+-mile loop, scenic, flat as a pancake and promises to yield some personal bests. The Tallahassee Ultradistance Classic (50K/50M) will take place the prior day at the same location.
Anyone registered for the February, 2003 Marathon may enter the December 14, 2003, Marathon without incurring additional fees. We will snail-mail or e-mail a registration form to you well in advance of December 14, and will ask that you re-register at that time. Please dispose of the race bib that was in your February packet, as new bib numbers will be assigned.
Medals, certificates and results will be provided to all finishers. The post-race party will be available to all entrants (past and future) and their guests at the December event.
A block of rooms has been secured at the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge at a rate of $89 per night (plus tax). Rooms will be held until November 21, 2003. Participants wishing to stay in Tallahassee should be aware that the State Park is a 45-minute drive (approx.) from downtown.
The Tallahassee Half Marathon will not be rescheduled in 2003 due to logistical reasons. Anyone registered for the February 2003 Half Marathon may register for the December 2003 Marathon at no additional cost.
Tallahassee residents registered for the 2003 Marathon or Half Marathon who did not pick up their race packet may do so by dropping by Shaw’s Athletics on Timberlane Road after Friday, March 21. You will receive a separate e-mail notification (or postcard if we do not have your e-mail address) if your packet will be taken to Shaws. T-shirts will be mailed to out-of-town entrants after they dry out.
Finally, the 2004 Tallahassee Marathon/Half Marathon will be back on the calendar in February and back at FSU at a date to be announced this summer. We thank you for your understanding and hope you will plan to be with us in 2004.