JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s the running event of the year in Jacksonville, with thousands of runners and hundreds of volunteers and spectators taking over the streets of Downtown, San Marco and St. Nicholas.
As strange as some of us may find it, people look forward to the 9.3 race all year. Many participate in the Gate River Run annually. For others, finishing the 9.3-mile course is a personal goal or something on their bucket list.
“My legs and my feet hurt, so that is the hardest part,” said first-time runner Rece.
“It should inspire anyone and everyone to be able to do whatever they need to do," runner Sandy Vestal said.
Once they pass, the race shifts into party mode, with music, baked goods, even beer and mimosas along the way.
“I used to run the race and then I hurt my knee so I couldn’t run it anymore. I wanted to do something for the people that were running it," said Sarah, who passe out bubbly in front of her home along the course. “Every year we probably double the champagne that we buy and we have people come out and help us. It’s kind of hard to keep up with it but we try our best.”
15K in 30 photos: The 2020 Gate River Run
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First wave of runners take of in the 2020 Gate River RUnGate River Runners coming off the new start.Runners wind through the streets downtown.Photo by Miller Mott, WJXT internSo many runners, they go by in a blur.Wheelchair entries also get to beat the crowd on the course. (Photo by Mott, WJXT intern)Elite women also get a head start. The six-minute advantage is called the "equalizer."The fastest men are not far behind. (Photo by Miller Mott, WJXT intern)Minutes later, the crowd also makes it to Main Street BridgeMiller's photos of Gate River RUnRunning is so much fun, bring along the family. (Photo by Miller Mott)Robbie Deyo is one of several firefighters to run the 15K in full bunker gear. (Photo by Miller Mott, WJXT inturn)There are many scenic parts of the run, but River Road in San Marco has to be one of the best. (Photo by Miller Mott, WJXT intern)Bands perform the passing runners at several places along the 9.3-mile route. (Photo by Miller Mott, WJXT intern)While the recreational runners were pounding the streets of San Marco, Marielle Hall had established a dominant lead over the other female runners, but looking to cross the finish line well ahead of any of the men competing in the races, which is the national 15K championship.Photo by Miller Mott, WJXT internWater stations spread throughout the course are always popular. (Photo by Miller Mott, WJXT intern)In case you missed the finish, Marielle Hall was the fastest woman (48:52) and was one of eight women who crossed before the fastest man, Ridouane Harroufi (44:42) and took home the $5,000 Equalizer Bonus.Of course, baked good are also appreciated. (Photo by Miller Mott, WJXT intern)Laurie sparks hands out water to runners in San Marco. (Photo by Miller Mott, News4Jax intern)Photo by Miller Mott, UNF intern.Rocking out as they run by. (Photo by Miller Mott, WJXT intern)Photo by Miller MottKeeping spirits up on the incline diabolically placed at Mile 6 of the course. Cary Hepler dresses as the Green Monster to raise awareness for homeless shoe donations: Shoes-Jax.com (Photo by Miller Mott, WJXT intern)Those who have run up the beast know why runners have nicknamed it the Green Monster.But the runner's eye view from the top of the Hart Bridge is worth the effort.. (Photo by Miller Mott, UNF intern)Runners on the "Green Monster"After coasting down the bridge and back to the Sports Complex, runners celebrate crossing the finish line of the 2020 Gate River Run.After completing the 15K, then proposing to Elizabeth, Weston said, "Just did the hardest and easiest thing in my life at the same time."News4Jax cameras welcomed more than 11,000 runners who crossed the finish line within the first three hours after the initial starting gun sounded.
First wave of runners take of in the 2020 Gate River RUn
The Farmer family has made running the race a tradition, with the family’s newest member -- 13-month-old Cooper -- on the sidelines cheering on mom.
“It was super special (for him) to see her and for her to see him,” said Cooper’s grandfather, Alex. “That, I think, was her motivation to get to the 5-mile mark."
Cooper’s father said his wife missed running last year, unable to train after her son’s birth.
“She was missing it last year,” Jake Farmer said of his wife." Sitting here, I think she was running in place. She has always been kind of a big runner -- marathons and what not -- so I’m excited to see her back out there having fun."
After crossing the finish line then proposing to his girlfriend, Elizabeth, Weston said he’d just done the hardest and easiest things in his life.
“Running the run; asking this girl to marry me,” he said.
Based on results from the Gate River Run website, 12,295 people finished the 15K this year -- 54% of them women. The youngest runner was 4-year-old Wyatt Pipitone from Glen St. Mary and the oldest was 89-year-old Shaina Jones of Orange Park. Both finished the run in under three hours.
