ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Sunday was the largest St. Petersburg Distance Classic in the program’s history.

This was the sixth time the event was hosted.

Thousands of runners took off from North Shore Park to participate in a marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K.

What You Need To Know

Under 3,500 people registered to run in the St. Petersburg Distance Classic

There were 30% more runners this year compared to last year

Chris Lauber and his wife, Rya, founded and operate the St. Pete run from their home

This event is a qualifer for the Boston Marathon

Marathon runners were met with lots of cheering as they stepped off on their 26.2-mile journey.

Norman Shaw ran in the St. Pete Distance Classic for the first time, but he knows the area well. He grew up here, but he’s visiting from New Jersey to make this his ninth marathon.

“This is one of the most special ones. Runners know St. Pete is as flat as a pancake, so it’s a beautiful run. San Francisco was awful — all the hills, I mean, it was beautiful, it was horrible to run. This will be nice,” he said.

The 64-year-old trained for this by running about 30 miles a week. He said you have to go until your body is tired.

“It’s just constantly pushing yourself not to stop,” he said.

This year’s St. Pete Distance Classic had the largest number of runners ever. Under 3,500 people registered for all of Sunday’s races, making it 30% larger than last year. Organizers said they got a grant from Visit St. Pete-Clearwater to advertise the event.

“We have almost every state represented and 15 countries,” said Chris Lauber, race director.

Chris Lauber and his wife, Rya, founded and operate the St. Pete run, but Chris has a long history of organizing these things.

In 1979, Chris had orchestrated jet ski races in Sebring, Florida. That eventually grew into a big event, even getting ESPN coverage.

Then, using that experience, he created the Gulf Beaches Marathon in 2000. He said at the time, there wasn’t any sort of race like that in the county.

The couple now runs the St. Pete Distance Classic out of their garage.

“To see literally a thousand smiling faces run by you as the fruits of our efforts, I wish there was a single word, but there isn’t,” Chris said.

It’s that same feeling that athletes like Shaw have when they run across the finish line.

“Those last six miles are the toughest, but when you’re done, you feel like you beat yourself. It’s such an incredible feeling,” Shaw said.

The marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Runners who have a qualifying time can register for the Boston Marathon for 2027.