March 7th Race for Runners and Walkers Coincides with the Free INDYCAR Party in the Park Community Event in North Straub Park
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2024) - Runners and walkers will again have the unique opportunity to “race on track” during the 2024 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding weekend. The 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track is set for Thursday, March 7, and online registration is now open at gpstpete5k.com.
The Police Athletic League (PAL) of St. Petersburg will be the beneficiary from the 5K Run to support its many programs positively impacting local children. PAL will receive 100 percent of the proceeds from registration fees collected.
“The Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg is thrilled to again be a part of this fantastic community event, and we want to thank our partners for their continued support and belief in our mission,” said Heather Robb, executive director, Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg. “Since 2017, contributions from the Firestone Grand Prix and proceeds from the 5K have totaled $271,265, helping PAL provide enriching activities and experiences to hundreds of at-risk children living in our community. We look forward to seeing everyone on the track in March!”
The 5K for runners and walkers will start and end on Bayshore Drive NE, adjacent to North Straub Park, and will join the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding race course at Turn 9 on Central Avenue, where participants will proceed onto the track. The route is fully paved for the entire duration of the 5K distance.
The 5K Run will coincide with the INDYCAR Party in the Park community event which is open to all and free to enter. The party will take place in North Straub Park from 5-7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 7 and provide fans the opportunity to see race cars up close, get driver autographs and more. After completing the 5K, participants are encouraged to join the gathering as top finishers will be recognized on the INDYCAR Party in the Park stage.
"We are excited to host over a thousand runners and walkers on the track as we continue this 5K race week tradition. The positive impact this event has raising money for the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg and the youth it serves here locally is awesome," said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. “We encourage community members to join us at North Straub Park for the 5K and INDYCAR Party in the Park as we kick off our 20th annual St. Petersburg race weekend festivities."
Registration is now open at gpstpete5k.com. An advance price of $40 is offered through March 6, 2024, then the fee increases to $50 for race day signups on Thursday, March 7. Additional charitable contributions are also accepted on the registration website to further the event’s impact in supporting the PAL mission.
5K Run Fast Facts
Event: 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track benefiting the Police Athletic League
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET start (approximate)
Fee: $40: now through March 6, 2024; $50: March 7, 2024 (Race Day)
Registration includes race entry with chipped timing bib, commemorative finisher’s medal, T-shirt and a voucher good for two Friday General Admission tickets to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding.
Partners:
Bayfront Health
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
Keel Farms
Michelob Ultra
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
Tampa Bay Times
Valpak
Woodie’s Wash Shack
Registration Website: gpstpete5k.com
The 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track and INDYCAR Party in the Park on Thursday, March 7 will commence an action-packed 20th Annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding weekend. The schedule includes high-speed racing from five different series headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race on Sunday, March 10; a live concert from legendary rock artist Bret Michaels at the track on Saturday, March 9 and much more.
The complete racing and activities schedule for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding will be released soon. For additional ticket pricing, grandstand seating and festival information, visit gpstpete.com.
About Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg:
The Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg (PAL) – in partnership with the St. Petersburg Police Department – provides safe, affordable afterschool and summer programs to at-risk children in our community. Our mission is to empower them through literacy-intervention/education; health and wellness; mentoring and career awareness, all factors in upward mobility. For more information visit our website at www.stpetepal.org.
About Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding:
The 20th annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is a race event held during Florida’s spring break season. Traditionally the site of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race, St. Pete is a destination city hosting this annual motorsports tradition and offering a festival atmosphere with its downtown location. The temporary circuit is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration using the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dali Museum and extending onto the runways at Albert Whitted Airport, which overlooks the waterfront of Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is owned and operated by Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC. Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC is owned by Green Savoree Racing Promotions 2, LLC whose other subsidiaries also promote three additional INDYCAR SERIES races, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (July 5-7, 2024), Honda Indy Toronto (July 19-21, 2024) and BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland (Aug. 23-25, 2024).
For more information, visit gpstpete.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @GPSTPETE or follow the event on Twitter @GPSTPETE and Instagram @GPSTPETE using #FirestoneGP.
