St. Pete Run Fest takes over downtown St. Petersburg Nov. 13–15. More than 12,000 runners are expected, and as many as 30,000 people could show up in all, according to That’s So Tampa. Over half a dozen races and activities fill the weekend.

Three races lead the schedule: the Regenexx St. Pete Half Marathon, the Orlando Health St. Pete Run Fest 10K, and the LMCU St. Pete Run Fest 5K. Kids get three runs of their own. Organizers say the whole event is ocean-friendly, so no single-use plastics will be in sight.

Mascots get their moment too. The Tampa Bay Mascot Championship pits more than 10 of them against each other on the downtown waterfront while the crowd cheers. Meanwhile, the Good Sweat Festival at Albert Whitted Park runs Friday through Sunday. Local artists, live music, food, drinks, and vendors selling fitness gear, training tools, nutrition products, and sports apparel will fill the park.

The Pelikids Youth Runs give kids ages 1 to 13 three choices. The Lil’ Shrimp Fun Runs include a 0.05K run for ages 1–2 and a 0.1K run for ages 3–4. Older kids, ages 5–13, can try the Pelikids One Miler along the downtown waterfront. All of these runs take place Saturday on Bayshore Boulevard, and every child finishes at The Mahaffey. The PeliKids Marathon Challenge is part of the fun as well. Money raised helps children with cancer and their families through the American Cancer Society’s Gold Together campaign.

Dogs have a spot, too. The VEG ER for Pets PeliPaws Dog Walk is a half-mile walk or run that supports VEG Cares. It begins at Albert Whitted Park and ends at the finish line on Bayshore Drive.

Every mile run sends a portion of the proceeds to the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. That money backs its We Help FRESH Pantry and Mobile Pantry, which feed 20,000 Pinellas County neighbors each month. Other groups will benefit as well:

Gold Together, which raises funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research.Jump for Kids, which promotes healthy habits and fitness for ages 5–17.St. Pete Youth Farm, which supports young leaders through urban farming and sustainability.

The half marathon starts on Bayshore Drive next to the Salvador Dali Museum. Runners head up 1st Avenue South, pass the USFSP campus, and cut through the Grand Central District, EDGE District, The Deuces, and Warehouse Arts District. They return on Central Avenue, wind through the Old Northeast and Snell Isle neighborhoods, and end on Bayshore Drive beside the Mahaffey Theater Plaza.

The 10K covers 6.2 miles. It goes through downtown, along the waterfront, and onto the St. Pete Pier. Runners start at the Salvador Dali Museum and finish on Bayshore Drive in front of the Mahaffey Theater.

The 5K is a 3.1-mile run or walk on Saturday. It follows the waterfront and crosses the St. Pete Pier. Organizers call the course flat and fast.