Our guest Susan Harmeling has been at the helm of the Gasparilla Distance Classic for 30 years here in Tampa Bay, and guided it from a small local race to one of the largest events in this part of the country. It is close to our hearts as it truly highlights some of Tampa's best views and character, as part of the Gasparilla Festivities each year. Like most events across the globe, it has been sidelined by Covid and run virtually, and its community running and youth programs put on pause as a result.

In this episode, Susan gives us some hope for the future and a look at things to come in 2022. She also describes what it's like to put on a world-class expo and harness the incredible power of volunteers, without which no modern race could realistically take place. She thanks the running community for their continued support, and reveals the new mascot's name (Pepperjack) as a result of a naming contest the past few months! Finally, she shares what a hobby runner with a passion for organization and the running community can do. She started at Run Gasparilla just after her first marathon, and literally had to "read the book" on race organizing, and has since accumulated wisdom and been the recipient of knowledge from some of the best! We share some of this in this episode, and of course a dose of cheer to carry us into the new year... ready or not, here we come, 2022!

Run Gasparilla: https://rungasparilla.com/
Volunteer: https://rungasparilla.com/race-weekend-volunteers/

Need some R&R over the holidays? We might suggest trying some of our runner-focused guided meditations and affirmations pre/post-run: https://insighttimer.com/laneholbert

As always, we'd love to hear from you! @runninganthropologist on social media, or our blog site... learn more about this episode and all of our previous ones at: www.runninganthropologist.com