Fort De Soto Oktoberfest 15K•10K•5K

Kick off your race season at historic Fort De Soto Park with a 15K, 10K, or 5K – a distance for every runner and walker. As the sun rises, the start is underway! And when you finish then celebrate your effort and the start of Tampa Bay's running season with good food, great craft beer, and awesome music. Florida Road Races, "Where Running and Fun Meet"!

Fort De Soto Park has been named “America’s Top Beach” by TripAdvisor several times over the years citing a “spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm, clear water, and a laid-back atmosphere.”

Awards

15K, 10K, & 5K

Overall
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded for Male and Female in the 15K, 10K and 5K!

Age Groups**
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded for Male and Female in the 15K, 10K and 5K in the following categories:
19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
**Race Director reserves the right to combine age groups based on participation.

Timing & Results

The 5K, 10K, and 15K are chipped-timed events. The chips are located on the rear of the race bibs and assigned to a specific bib, event, and athlete. Please wear your bib in a visible location on front of your person. Please avoid the start/finish unless you are starting or finishing your race. 

Should you require any alteration to your registration, including dropping in race distance or bib transfer you MUST see event staff in order to guarantee accurate results. 

Results can be found by scanning the QR codes, posted throughout the event, with your mobile device.

Directions

Race Location: Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715

Fort De Soto Park is located at the southern end of Pinellas County and is easily accessible from any direction.

From Interstate 275, watch for signs for the Bayway, which connects St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach. Head west towards the beaches, turning south to Fort De Soto Park.

From the beaches, head south to St. Pete Beach, turning left at the Don CeSar Beach Resort onto the Bayway, turning south to Fort De Soto Park.

Once you reach Fort De Soto Park, turn right and follow the bend in the road to North Beach all the way at the road’s end. 

Parking

Pinellas County Parks Department requires us to close the park access road from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. You MUST arrive and be INSIDE the gate by 7:00 AM or you will not be allowed in. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Parking payment will be required. Pinellas County has implemented an automated parking system at county parks. You will be required to pay via an app (preferred to avoid lines on race morning) or pay at the payment stations inside the park. Otherwise, you are subject to being ticketed. Please see the details below.

There are 2 ways to pay:

1) Daily visitors can use PAY STATIONS at multiple locations throughout the park. You MUST enter your license tag number and can pay the $5.00 using CREDIT CARDS ONLY. 
2) Use the ParkMobile mobile parking app. When you park, then you can pay via the app at that time. The zone is 93801

For your convenience on race morning and to avoid long lines at the pay stations, we strongly encourage all participants to download the ParkMobile parking app here:

https://parkmobile.io

• Sign up for the Fort De Soto Distance Classic
• Once your registration is complete, you will receive a unique referral link to share with your friends and family or post on social media
• Get 5 FRIENDS to sign up using your unique referral link and you will automatically receive a refund of $20.00. Awesome!
• Get 5 MORE FRIENDS (10 TOTAL) to sign up using your unique referral link and you will receive A $20 VISA GIFT CARD. Fantastic! *
• DON'T STOP THERE! Cash back rewards JUST KEEP COMING, so make sure to KEEP SHARING after you reach 10 referrals. 
• For each additional 10 friends that sign up using your link, you will receive A $50 VISA GIFT CARD *

Gift cards are sent to qualifying recipients the week after the race

Friday, September 19, 2025
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

The Running Center – Tampa
14427 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33618

Saturday, September 20, 2025
1:00 PM – 5:45 PM

St Pete Running Company
6986 22nd Ave North
Saint Petersburg, Florida 33710
 
There will also be packet pickup and registration at the race site on race morning from 5:30 – 6:30 AM
We strongly encourage you to pick up before race day to avoid long lines.

If you are picking up for a group, it helps us tremendously if you have all the names written on a sheet of paper. This will expedite the process and keep the line moving. Extra points for having them in alphabetical order! If you are picking up for 10 or more it is very helpful for you to email the list of names ahead of time and we will do our best to have the packets ready for pickup when you arrive.

• 6:00 AM Entrance opens at Ft. De Soto Park

• 7:00 AM Entrance closes. All runners must be in by now. 

• 7:05 AM 15K Start

• 7:15 AM 10K Start

• 7:25 AM 5K Start

• 8:30 AM Post-Race Celebration: Beer, food, music, and fun!

• 8:25 AM 5K Awards Ceremony

• 8:45 AM 10K Awards Ceremony

• 9:40 AM 15K Awards Ceremony

• 11:30 Runner Village Closes

At Florida Road Races we love our community of runners and walkers. We love creating memorable race experiences for everyone. We offer a few options if for some reason you can not race with us.

1. Our “No Worries Guarantee” to all current and future registrants for any Florida Road Races race. In the event that Florida Road Races cancels or postpones a race for any reason, we can defer or transfer your race entry to any future Florida Road Races-owned race. Your race credit is valid for two years from the date of deferral or transfer.
2. Our "No Questions Asked" Refund option can be purchased during registration.  If you choose this option, registration fees can be refunded (minus processing fees) 72 hours prior to race day. To use your "No Questions Asked" Refund, simply send an email to info@flroadraces.com to request a refund.

If you are signing up for the "Starfish Race Series Package" consisting of 3, 4, or 5 races during the 2023-24 race season and you would like to be refund-eligible for ALL the races for which you register, you MUST purchase a No Questions Asked option for each race.

Our races have a strict No Refund policy unless you purchase the No Questions Asked Refund option. Refunds will not be issued for any reason unless we cancel or postpone a race for our own internal reasons with no government cancellation or "Act of God", such as severe weather, or a health crisis forcing us to postpone or cancel.

To defer, use the following directions:
Defer Registration/Claim Deferral - RunSignup

To transfer, use the following directions:
Transfer to Another Race - RunSignup

Contact Race

If you are interested in gaining more exposure for your business and would like to partner with Florida Road Races, please email info@flroadraces.com to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Our volunteers are invaluable to the success of the races, from start to finish and behind the scenes. Have fun while earning money for a charity or a free 5K in the future!

Volunteer Opportunities:

• with registration and packet pick-ups at the race or the week leading up to the race
• at an aid station handing out water and Gatorade
• on the course making sure runners stay on track
• at the finish line handing out medals and water
• at the post-race party, food or beverage tent
• All volunteers will receive a custom and are invited to enjoy the post-race celebration, including hot pasta, cold beer, and live music.

All volunteers will receive a custom shirt and are invited to enjoy the post-race celebration, including hot pasta, cold beer, and live music.
 

If your friends or family members are coming with you, they can “participate” in your race by serving as a volunteer.

Or perhaps you’re an athlete who is not entered to participate due to injury or other reasons – here’s an excellent opportunity to help your fellow athletes and socialize with them afterward in a beautiful park setting.

Volunteer Now