The Gate River Run (GRR), formerly known as the Jacksonville River Run, is an annual 15 kilometer road race in Jacksonville, Florida that attracts both competitive and recreational runners. It has been the US National Championship 15K since 1994 and in 2007 became the largest 15K race in the country. It "was voted [as] one of the top US Road Races for last 20 years by Runner's World Magazine."[1] Local news media describe it as "one of Jacksonville's premiere annual events."[2]
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In 2009, prize money exceeded $85,000, including bonus money for record-breaking performances. The event has more prize money than any major non-marathon event in the United States. Live bands perform at locations along the race course and the finish line is at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, where runners can watch themselves on the JumboTrons. Special caps are given to the top 10% of racers and medals are given to all 15K finishers.[3]
There is a 3-day runner's expo sponsored by MPS Group, with dozens of vendor representatives promoting running and health-related products. Seminars with running themes are presented; typical topics are:[4] Hydration and Nutrition, Foot and Ankle Injuries, Shin Splits and Shoe Fitting, Basic Injury Care.
Following the race, Publix supermarkets host a celebration at the fairgrounds:
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The race is sponsored by Gate Petroleum and was first held in 1978. Prior to 1994, the race was known as the Jacksonville River Run.[5] Todd Williams holds the American 15K record with a time of 42:22 at the 1995 GRR, which he won five times.[6] Deena Drossin, who has won the GRR six times, holds the women's record with 47:15 at the GRR in 2003.[7]
An equalizer was added in 2004. The difference in time between the women's and men's 15K national records is 4:53,[7] so the elite women runners get a five minute head start on the elite men. The first finisher, man or woman, receives a $5,000 bonus.[6]
In 2009, almost 15,000 people registered for the race, with 12,935 runners actually completing it.[6] The winner was Anthony Famiglietti, with a time of 43:36. The fastest woman in 2009 was Amy Yoder Begley, at 49:51.[3] The related races, the Florida Times-Union 5K Run & Walk for Charity, and the one mile Junior River Run had 2,041 and 1,873 participants, respectively.[3]
Doug Alred, who has been race director for 27 of the 32 GRR contests, stated that 2009 was the seventh consecutive year that the record for entries has been broken.[3] He also proclaimed that the close finish of the men was "easily the best ever".[6]
As of 2010, there were 46 streakers, defined as an individual who has completed every River run.[8] The following year, the number dropped to 45, as age and injuries took its inevitable toll.[9]
The Gate River Run Hall of Fame was established in 2002 and is permanently located in the Riverplace Tower, on the southbank in downtown Jacksonville. Memorabilia dating from the race's inception in 1978 up to the present is on display and a five minute video gives visitors an overview of the race. Plaques for each of the 14 persons inducted into the HOF are on display.[8]
| Year | Men's winner | Time (h:m:s) | Women's winner | Time (h:m:s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Bill Rodgers | 44:46 | Kim Merritt | 55:46 |
| 1979 | Jerry Odlin | 46:04 | Joan Benoit | 51:47 |
| 1980 | Bob Hodge | 44:54 | Jennifer White | 53:11 |
| 1981 | Dan Dillon | 43:34 | Patti Catalano | 49:33 |
| 1982 | Mike Musyoki | 43:33 | Wendy Sly | 49:52 |
| 1983 | Nick Rose | 43:42 | Charlotte Teske | 50:17 |
| 1984 | Gidamis Shahanga | 42:54 | Midde Hamrin | 50:12 |
| 1985 | Simeon Kigen | 43:26 | Betty Springs | 49:25 |
| 1986 | Arturo Barrios | 43:18 | Grete Waitz | 48:53 |
| 1987 | Arturo Barrios | 43:00 | Grete Waitz | 49:05 |
| 1988 | Steve Spence | 43:20 | Lynn Jennings | 50:02 |
| 1989 | John Halverson | 43:12 | Cathy O'Brien | 49:45 |
| 1990 | Ed Eyestone | 43:58 | Francie Larue Smith | 49:39 |
| 1991 | Steve Spence | 43:41 | Francie Larue Smith | 48:43 |
| 1992 | Valdenor Dos Santos | 43:42 | Olga Markova | 49:20 |
| 1993 | Benson Masya | 43:59 | Gwyn Coogan | 51:26 |
| 1994 | Todd Williams | 43:42 | Anne Marie Letko | 49:27 |
| 1995 | Todd Williams* | 42:22* | Cathy O'Brien | 48:56 |
| 1996 | Todd Williams | 43:49 | Lynn Jennings | 49:45 |
| 1997 | Joe LeMay | 43:35 | Lynn Jennings | 50:13 |
| 1998 | Todd Williams | 44:06 | Jennifer Rhines | 51:00 |
| 1999 | Todd Williams | 43:59 | Lynn Jennings | 50:05 |
| 2000 | Dan Browne | 44:26 | Deena Drossin | 49:40 |
| 2001 | Meb Keflezighi | 43:16 | Deena Drossin | 49:09 |
| 2002 | Meb Keflezighi | 42:49 | Deena Drossin | 48:12 |
| 2003 | Meb Keflezighi | 43:31 | Deena Drossin* | 47:15* |
| 2004 | Meb Keflezighi | 43:18 | Colleen De Reuck** | 49:02** |
| 2005 | Ryan Shay | 43:50 | Jennifer Rhines | 49:21 |
| 2006 | Meb Keflezighi | 43:41 | Blake Russell | 49:14 |
| 2007 | Meb Keflezighi | 43:39 | Deena Kastor | 47:20 |
| 2008 | Andrew Carlson | 44:10 | Deena Kastor | 49:34 |
| 2009 | Anthony Famiglietti | 43:36 | Amy Yoder-Begley | 49:51 |
| 2010 | Mo Trafeh | 42:58 | Katie McGregor | 49:51 |
| 2011 | Mo Trafeh | 42:58 | Jennifer Rhines | 49:31 |
| Key: | * = American Record | ** = Masters Record | ||