Brewing Master

Question:

I’m looking for any info on races in the Tampa area over New Years.  My wife and I will be down there for the Hall of Fame bowl game and would like to squeeze in a race if we could find one.  Also, any info on places to eat, things to do, places to see, other than the regular tourist pits would be great. Thank in advance, David Burge

Response:

I’m looking for any info on races in the Tampa area over New Years.  My wife and I will be down there for the Hall of Fame bowl game and would like to squeeze in a race if we could find one.  Also, any info on places to eat, things to do, places to see, other than the regular tourist pits would be great. Thank in advance, David Burge

The Hall of Fame Bowl 5K/1M is at 8:30 am at the Bay Front Center Some things to do while in Tampa: Visit Lowry Park Zoo.  It’s smallish, but with very nice displays. You can get through it in 1-3 hours depending on how long you linger. It’s a nice place for lingering, and it’s inexpensive. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry.  Again, smallish, can do it in 1-3 hours.  Among other things there is a wind tunnel in which you can experience hurricane velocity winds, if you are so inclined.  (Take your hat off before you go in.) If you want to go ahead and spend the money and blow a day go to Busch Gardens.  It’s my favorite money-sucking Florida theme park.  I like it *much* better than Disney, and it costs less too.  There are actual animals there, rather than the stuffed mechanical type a la Disney.  They offer several shows daily, an African veldt(well as close to one as possible in Florida) with animals in their natural habitat (No cages), an animal nursery (lots of cute baby animals), rides (some serious lose-your-lunch types), the Clydesdales, a brewery tour, and BEST OF ALL, free beer samples!  It takes most of a day to do the whole park, but you can do the whole park in one day (unlike Disney) After Busch Gardens drive east on Busch Blvd (about .5 to 1mi) and hit Mel’s Hot Dogs.  They’re the best dogs around.  Go after the race or *well* before. For your pre race carbo loading try Gus’s.  It’s a little restaurant on Dale Mabry which has GREAT sauces.  It’s kid friendly and right reasonable.  It’s north of the stadium near Carrollwood (an executive type neighborhood in the north of Tampa) Don’t forget to take a walk on Bayshore Blvd, or better yet run.  (Nice w i d e  sidewalks) Hope this helps. Lucy G

Response:

d Burge) writes: I’m looking for any info on races in the Tampa area over New Years.  My wife and I will be down there for the Hall of Fame bowl game and would like to squeeze in a race if we could find one.  Also, any info on places to eat, things to do, places to see, other than the regular tourist pits would be great. Thank in advance, David Burge

From "Race Place": Dec 31: Hall of Fame Bowl 5k and 1mi run at Bayfront Center in St Pete Dec 31: Say No to Drugs Holiday Classic 10k, 5k & 1mi at Coachman Park in Clearwater Al Lopez (formerly Horizon) Park (1 block north of Tampa Stadium) is VERY popular with runners. Jim Bodoh                       Advantis: Tampa

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