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Hyde Park Church Makes Gasparilla Race Tradition

Photo from Ken Cowles

Richard and Melissa Martin, as well as their daughter, Emily, participated in the race as a family.

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Staff Report

Published: March 6, 2009

TAMPA - More than 200 members of Hyde Park United Methodist Church participated in the 2009 Gasparilla Distance Classic on Feb. 28, running, walking, strolling and cheering.

The congregation has a tradition of encouraging race participants from the church's curb on Platt Street and Magnolia Avenue, offering cheers and inspirational music blasted from speakers to runners as they turn the corner and head toward Bayshore Boulevard.

Church members wear bright red T-shirts designed by congregation member Bill Howard who provides the shirts free to members participating in the event.

"It's a great way for us to encourage exercise within the congregation and to give encouragement to the runner," said the Rev. James Harnish, senior pastor at Hyde Park.

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