Now here’s a race this food editor can get down with: The Tampa Pizza 5K Run. Hosted at Al Lopez Park on April 8, the pizza run is new to the region and modeled after the New York City Pizza Run, which is, as expected, a local treasure going on its ninth year.
Tampa Pizza 5K Run participants, who have until April 7 to register online, are required to down two slices during the inaugural race. Um, best 5K ever? The first slice is eaten five minutes before start time, while the second is consumed about halfway through (there’s a “pizza station” checkpoint — look for it).
Runners must also complete Al Lopez Park’s large loop first, followed by the smaller loop after picking up slice No. 2. You probably won’t need water, though. Pizza is your hydration.
The first pie fanatics to cross the finish line are dubbed Pizza King and Queen, with a ceremony and all. But every participant receives a custom pizza medal and a T-shirt — not to mention free pizza throughout the post-race festivities.
Unfortunately, organizers can’t accommodate runners or spectators with allergy or dietary restrictions. Davis Islands-based Islands Pizza is set to supply all the cheesy, gluteny goodness.
Registration costs $30, and high school students receive a discounted price, as do military service members and veterans. Proceeds from The Tampa Pizza 5K Run benefit USF Bulls for Kids, which raises funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children.
This article appears in Mar 22-29, 2018.