JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Entries are on a record pace for Saturday's 38th annual Gate River Run, according to Race Director Doug Alred.
Entries in the 15K are slightly ahead of last year's pace, with more than 16,000 entries to date. Alred projects coming close to the 20,000 limit in the 15K at the Runners' Expo, and more than 25,000 total in all events.
"We have had record entries in the 15K signature event for the past 13 years," Alred said, "and so far 2015 is on pace for another record year for this 38th running of the race."
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In addition, this year's elite field is one of the strongest ever, with three Olympians and two former Gate champions, including 2013 champ Ben True, and three-time champion and 2015 Hall of Fame Inductee Jen Rhines
The River Run is Jacksonville's largest participatory sporting event and the largest 15K in the United States. Online registration for all events ends Monday, and then available at the Runners' Expo at Jacksonville Fairgrounds on Thursday and Friday.
Alred noted there is no day of race registration.
Gate River Run day includes events for the entire family including:
The Florida Times-Union 5K Run and Walk for Charity at 8:30 am; the 15K USA National Championship at 8:30 a.m. (top 25 women start at 8:24 a.m.); Brooks Rehab Challenge Mile for challenged athletes at 10:00 am; Junior River Run (1 mile) for children at 11 a.m. and Diaper Dashes for ages 1–4 at 11 a.m. Events and parking are at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds and sports complex area.
The 15K starts on Gator Bowl Boulevard between EverBank Field and Metropolitan Park, and finishes in the Tailgate Zone of EverBank Field on the south side of the Stadium. The 5K starts and finishes on Duval Street in front of the fairgrounds. A new event is the Adecco Downhill Mile Challenge, which will award $1,000 to the fastest male and female in the last mile of the course down the Hart Bridge. A new Wheelchair Division has also been added.
Jumbotrons at the finish will show WJXT's live coverage and runners will be able to see themselves finish. Live streaming results will also be available during the race on news4jax.com, and live runner tracking on the 1st Place Sports app.
Runners will hear 15 bands along the course, and all 15K finishers will receive a medal. The Publix post-race celebration will be held at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds.
The Runners' Expo will showcase the latest in the running, health and fitness industry. Expo hours are 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. Runners may also bring their used shoes and T-shirts to the Expo, where they will be collected and donated to local charities.
Additional information is available at gateriverrun15K.com or from the race hotline at 904-731-1900.