Tom Walker Half Marathon & 5k

Events

Tom Walker Half Marathon

$50 8:00AM EST - 11:30AM EST Price increases after July 31, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT

5k

$25 8:15AM EST - 10:15AM EST Price increases after July 31, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT

Place

3300 SE 15th St, Gainesville, FL 32641
Gainesville, FL US 32641

Description

The iconic and popular Tom Walker Half Marathon & 5k will return to the beautiful Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail. The two races will start from Boulware Springs and feature the usual out and back on the USTA-certified course. (Seen below). NOTE: There is a chance that Boulware Springs Parking area will be under construction for renovations. If this happens the race will be moved to the Hawthorne Trail Head. This would be a two loop course on the Gainesville=Hawthorne Trail for the half marathon. The 5k will be out and back.

Half Marathon Starts at 8:00 AM with the 5k starting at 8:05 AM. Half Marathon Course Time limit is 3 hours 30 minutes.

We plan to provide pacers for the Half Marathon at 1:30 (6:52 pace), 1:40 (7:37 pace), 1:50 (8:24 pace), 2:00 (9:09), 2:10 (9:55), 2:20 (10:40). **These will be Run Only and not Walk/Run pacers.

Prize Money will be offered in the Half Marathon Only:

Men and Women Overall: 1st: $150, 2nd: $75, 3rd: $25....................Masters Men and Women: 1st: $50....................

Registration will be available online until 1 hour prior to the race start.

Volunteers are NEEDED for this race, please go to the "Volunteer" tab on the menu bar at the top of this page and sign up. This event is volunteer-led so please help us make this event successful for our local runners!

Individual yearly membership to the Florida Track Club is only $40, family membership $65, and student membership $25. Senior membership (65+) is $25 for individual and $40 for a family. Please email us to set up Senior membership.

The Florida Track Club is sponsored by UF Health Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and UCAN Energy Products

Cost, FTC Discounts, Price Increases

Half Marathon: $50 until 7/31, $60 from 8/1 to 8/31, $70 from 9/1 to 10/31 and $80 11/1 until 11/10 when registration closes.
Half Marathon Distance: $10 discount code can be found here for FTC Members (be sure to log into your account)
5k: $25 until 7/31, $30 from 8/1 to 8/31, $35 from 9/1 to 10/31 and $40 11/1 until 11/10 when registration closes.
5k Distance: $5 discount code can be found here for FTC Members (be sure to log into your account)
If you are an active member and did not receive the discount code, please email us! Check your membership or sign-up here! Memberships are $65 for families, $40 for individuals, $25 for students. For Seniors (65+) Individual membership is $25 and $40 for a family membership. (Please email us to set up a senior membership.)
The FTC hosts 12 races each year ! Make sure your membership is active to get Eight FREE races and big discounts on the other four.
See Florida Track Club Race Schedule Here and join!

Swag, Awards, and Goodies:

Half Marathon:

Prize Money will be offered in the Half Marathon Only: Men and Women Overall: 1st: $150, 2nd: $75, 3rd: $25.........Masters Men and Women: 1st: $50

Custom FTC Finisher Medal to all finishers
Guaranteed TBD shirt (most likely a long sleeve shirt or hoody) if you sign up by Midnight Oct 17. Past this date - if we have extras it will go by order of registration.
Awards:
- Overall and master winners (M/F) along will be presented after the race.
- Top 3 in each 5-year age division can be picked up at the awards table
Post-race refreshments

5k:

Guaranteed short sleeve shirt if you sign up by Midnight Oct 17. Past this date - if we have extras it will go by order of registration.
First overall and first master winners (M/F) awards will be available for pick up after the race ( no age group awards in the 5k )
Post-race refreshments

Half Marathon Course

The Half Marathon is a USATF certified course. The race will start at the Boulware Springs Trail Head of the Gainesville/Hawthorne State Trail. It will head west on the trail, a short out and back toward the Praire Overlook, then running through the rolling hills of the hammock before entering the flat portion of the trail. From here runners will turn back again giving them the chance to cheer on their competitors and friends! Course time limit is 3 hours 30 minutes.

5k Course

The 5k features a USATF Certifed Course! This fast, somewhat flat course will feature very few turns and a smooth paved bike path the whole way! Great for runners and walkers alike!

Hydration and Fueling

Half Marathon

On-course hydration will be provided in the form of water and Electrolytes. There will be 3 aid stations (Mile 5/8, the 6.5 and miles 2/11). More info to come.
Gels will be provided at the half way aid station.
ALWAYS go to aid stations on your right to avoid running into other participants going the other direction!

Hydration will be provided in the form of water and Electrolytes at the Trailhead Pavillion before and after the race.

Packet-Pickup and Parking

Packet Pick up

Registration will be available online until 1 hour prior to the race start.
Packet Pick-Up will be available race morning at the event.

Parking

Parking fills up fast at the trailhead so come early to get a good spot! It is strongly recommended to carpool. Over flow parking will be at Prairie View Elementary which is 1/4 mile from the entrance of Boulware Springs. It is not recommended to park on the either side of SE 15th Street. We will have volunteers directing parking up until 8:00 am.