Gopher Weedon Trail Run

🏃‍♂️ Event Overview

The Friends of Weedon Island are excited to announce the 13th Annual Gopher Weedon 8K Trail Run. It will be held on October 25, 2025.

📅 Registration Information

NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION! You will be able to register online until 6:30 PM Friday or in-person at St Pete Feet First between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. during the advance packet pick.

🌲 Race Description

Tired of pounding the pavement on the same ole 5K race course? Go-pher something different and enjoy 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) of natural trails through one of Tampa Bay’s hidden gems!

The Gopher Weedon trail run will take runners and walkers along a journey through native Florida habitats, including gorgeous views of Tampa Bay. This unique, professionally-timed race will take place at the Weedon Island Preserve - a 3,700-acre preserve nestled along Tampa Bay in northeast St. Petersburg. The race course winds through mangroves, salt marsh and Florida scrub habitat along well-maintained dirt and boardwalk trails. Runners may catch a glimpse of wildlife, including the slow-moving gopher tortoise (a threatened species for which the race was named), as well as relic Indian mounds and dune ridges left by the preserve’s earliest inhabitants.

After the race, enjoy refreshments before strolling through the Cultural and Natural History Center, where you can learn more about the prehistoric people and the natural environment.

All proceeds from the race will benefit the Friends of Weedon Island, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization that supports environmental preservation and education at the Weedon Island Preserve.

🎽 What You Get

All registered runners/walkers will receive:

• Technical Race T-shirt: A high-quality shirt for participants.
• Professional Timing: Accurate race timing and results provided.
• Awards: Overall top male & female awards as well as age group awards.
• Refreshments: Available along the course and after the race.
• Activities: Educational and cultural activities at the cultural center.
• No Race Day Registration: Due to parking limitations.

🗓️ Event Details and Schedule

Advance Packet Pick Up: Friday before the race, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Feet First St. Pete, 4949 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33703. Certificate Drawing on Saturday to include all who pick-up their packet on the Friday Advance Pick-up.

A NEW Advance Pick-up option this year: Thursday afternoon before the race, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at PDQ, 5112 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617. Drawing on Saturday to include all who pick-up their packet on the Thursday Advance Pick-up.

Race Morning Packet Pickup: 6:45 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. in the Auditorium of the Weedon Island Cultural and Natural History Center.

🚫 Race Day Policies

Pets are not permitted in the Preserve. Please do not bring them Race Day.

Strollers are welcomed in the Preserve: however, due to trail surfaces, they are NOT allowed on the Race Course.

Parking will be in the Cultural and Natural History Center Parking Lot. Space is limited. PLEASE CARPOOL with your friends. Volunteers will direct you to overflow parking (as needed).

Bug spray is suggested.

🏁 Race Start Time

Race begins promptly at 8:00 a.m.

🔗 More Information

For more details, visit the race page: Gopher Weedon Trail Run.