Next year's Gasparilla Marathon will be race's final run

Tampa, FL -- When the runners cross the finish line at next year's Gasparilla Marathon, they'll be doing it for the final time. The 2010 running of the race will be the last one.

The Gasparilla Distance Classic will no longer host its longest race in 2011 because race organizers say it's putting too much strain on police and other city resources.

The City of Tampa acts as a sponsor and does not charge race organizers for city services used during the race weekend. That support includes 100-125 police officers, 15-20 fire and rescue workers, trash pickup, road closures, and more, according to race director Susan Harmeling.

Race organizers decided to voluntarily bring the marathon to an end to save the city 26.2 miles' worth of expenses.

Other races will still be held on a February weekend, but starting in 2011, the more popular half marathon will be the longest race at the Gasparilla Distance Classic.

Harmeling says her group decided to keep the marathon on the schedule for 2010 because runners in Tampa Bay and elsewhere have already made plans to take part. The final race will mark the 10th running of the marathon.

The Gasparilla Distance Classic in 2010 will consist of a 5K and 15K run on Saturday, February 21st, and a half marathon and full marathon on Sunday the 22nd.

Starting in 2011, race organizers are considering a new, shorter race to replace the full marathon. Harmeling says a 10K, which could be run within the existing half marathon course, is the most likely candidate.

What do you think? Should race organizers have volunteered to end the marathon? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.