JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With one of the best health and fitness expos in Jacksonville and the country starting on Thursday afternoon, participants at the Gate River Run Expo were able to register for this weekend’s 15K while shopping over 100 vendors, with the best in running shoes, apparel, as well as all things health and fitness.
“This is a great community event,” Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Captain Eric Prosswimmer said. “You know, brings out the best of everybody.”
Prosswimmer, who’s done the race more than 25 times, said they usually have between 75 to 100 firefighters running, one of the newer ones being his son.
“He and I are going to run it together so, and he’s never done it before,” Prosswimmer said. “So he’s got a little almost two years on the job now, so it’s his first year running it.”
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Once inside, first-time Gate River Run participant, Petty Officer David Brandenburg was browsing around the Expo.
“I got plenty of shoes. I definitely don’t need more. But I just definitely wanted to see what’s out here,” Brandenburg said.
Meanwhile, coworkers Jane Crlenjak and Bianca Velez were ready to pick some stuff up for Saturday’s run.
“Just got this new hat. I’ve been eyeing the run Jack’s hat, so I’m going to wear this during the run. And then we just got, like, the free swag, so maybe we’ll buy more things,” Crlenjak said.
The women, like most other runners, have one goal in mind.
“Just to finish,” Velez said. “Hoping for probably, like, an hour and 45 minutes, an hour 40 or so.”
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The days are divided into two-hour pick-up sessions which will allow a maximum of 2,000 visitors at a time.
Runners are to select a pick up day and time during registration.
Thursday, Feb. 27 – Noon until 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 28 – 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 1 – 6:30 a.m. until race start (out of town participants only)
Parking for the expo will be located in the stadium Lot J on the westside of the stadium.
Organizers ask that people enter the expo through the gate just right of Gate 1 where they will see a “Gate River Run Expo” banner.
If you live within 30 miles of the Jacksonville area, you must pick up your packet at the expo on Thursday or Friday.
