After two successful years in Gulfport, the 2012 Santa Speedo Run benefitting AIDS Service Association of Pinellas will relocate to Ybor City this Dec. 9. Organizers hope the move will help the popular event raise more money in a more public area of Tampa Bay.
“I will always be grateful to the City of Gulfport for their support of ASAP and our mission of education, prevention and outstanding service to members of our community,” said Jay Aller, Resource Development Manager with ASAP and the run’s organizer. “But I know moving this event to such a public arena that is known for a party atmosphere will bring more people out to it.”
Aller said that he and his staff surveyed runners at last year’s run and learned that in order for it to continue growing, it needed to find a location that could host more people and provide better parking. Another benefit of the new location is that the run begins and ends in the same location, meaning participants won’t have to walk back to a starting area to get to their vehicles.
This year’s route begins at Centennial Park on 8th Avenue, proceeds down Palm Avenue to 13th Street and back. The run is a mile long.
The 2012 run, the organization’s third, has some high expectations with its new location. It has set a goal of $50,000. In 2011, the run raised just over $30,000 with 130 participants.
“I’m hoping for 225-250 runners this year,” Aller said, adding that local Tampa authorities expect even higher numbers. If that’s the case, reaching the new goal should be a reality.
“The new goal is a strong one and it gives the community a chance to come together to achieve something amazing,” Aller said. “The money goes to our Brighter Seasons for Children charity as well as ASAP’s food bank.”
Brighter Seasons for Children assist ASAP’s clients by providing school supplies and Christmas gifts to their children, who may otherwise not have anything special provided to them over the holidays.
ASAP has worked this year in branding itself as a Tampa Bay charity, rather than just a Pinellas County charity. In September, it’s AIDS Walk Tampa Bay in downtown St. Petersburg was rebranded to encompass the entire area and the new location for the Santa Speedo Run continues that rebranding.
“I believe moving it will help Tampa see us and it will help us get our message of prevention and education to the Hillsborough side of Tampa Bay,” Aller said.
While the location is new, the set up will remain the same this year, Aller explained. The run will begin at 2 p.m. with registration starting an hour earlier at 1 p.m. Runners are encouraged to wear Speedos or similar swimwear and to decorate themselves in a holiday theme. Santa hats, reindeer antlers and garland have been popular adornments in the past.
Area merchants MC Film Fest and Urban Body plan to stock up on red swimwear to help runners find that perfect look, Aller added.
“Finding red Speedos can be tricky,” Aller said. “Both stores have said they will order more than usual to help make sure everyone can find a pair for the run.”
Following the run, participants are encouraged to take part in an after party at Barbarella’s, which is across the street from Centennial Park. Runners get their first beer free and the end of the run should coincide with the bar’s large Sunday crowd.
Last year, O’Maddy’s in Gulfport hosted the after party, but Aller said that space was an issue and that runners had difficulty getting drinks or enjoying a “party atmosphere.”
Runners can sign up now at SantaSpeedoRun.org and begin taking pledges. Those interested in volunteering or organizations hoping to sponsor the run in several available capacities can also sign up through the website.
Tampa and Ybor City seem really excited about hosting the 2012 Santa Speedo Run and the development council has already asked for posters and literature to share with their shops and businesses,” Aller said.
