Gopher Weedon Trail Run

Gopher Weedon Trail Run Race Information

<p>The Friends of Weedon Island are excited to announce the 13th Annual Gopher Weedon 8K Trail Run. It will be held on October 25, 2025.</p> <p><strong><span style="color:rgb( 224 , 62 , 45 )">NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION!   </span></strong>You will be able to register online until 6:30 PM Friday or in-person at St Pete Feet First between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. during the advance packet pick.</p> <p>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!</p> <p>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 take place 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>All registered runners/walkers will receive:</p> <ul><li>Technical Race T-shirt</li><li>Professional race timing and race results</li><li>Overall top male &amp; female awards and age group awards</li><li>Refreshments and aid stations</li><li>Educational and cultural activities at the cultural center.</li><li>No Race Day Registration due to parking limitations</li></ul> <h4>Event details and schedule</h4> <p><strong>Advance Packet Pick Up:</strong> Friday before the race, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Feet First St. Pete, 4949 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33703. Certificate Drawing on Saturday to include all who pick-up their packet on the Friday Advance Pick-up  </p> <p>Race Morning Packet Pickup: 6:45 a.m. -7:45 a.m. in the Auditorium of the Weedon Island Cultural and Natural History Center.</p> <p>Pets are not permitted in the Preserve. Please do not bring them Race Day.</p> <p>Strollers welcomed in the Preserve; but, due to trail surfaces, NOT on the Race Course.</p> <p>Parking will be in the Cultural and Natural History Center Parking Lot. <u><b>Space is limited</b></u>. PLEASE CARPOOL with your friends. Volunteers will direct you to overflow parking (as needed)</p> <p>Bug Spray suggested</p> <p>Race begins at promptly at 8:00 a.m.</p>