On February 8, 2026, I woke up to one of the most beautiful days of the year. The temperature was almost perfect for a nice little run. However, the only running I did that day was running from the parking lot of the new FSU Herbert Wertheim College of Business to the courthouse around 6:45 a.m. after dropping my daughter, Ansley, off at Kleman Plaza so she could get to the start line of Gulf Winds Track Club’s Bank of America Tallahassee Marathon and Half Marathon. My daughter finished the half in a little over three hours, the second year in a row she’s finished it. She was one of 161 U20 females to finish and one of only four U18. I’m so proud of her. After she finished, I handed out pizza at the finish, and then we cleaned up the finish line area when the race was over. Between the 377 marathon finishers, 1,991 half marathon finishers, and 51 relay teams, we had over 2,500 finishers and 3,000 registered runners. Our little local marathon has become a big deal, in large part due to the huge number of young adults in their twenties and upper teens running the race. The sixth episode of the GWTC We Run This Town Podcast features these “Young Runs,” and if you haven’t listened to it, you should.

One reason there are so many young people running this race is the cost. Our half marathon is $65, about the cost of a 5K in a lot of places. The reason we are able to do this is because of the incredible generosity of race directors doing a job for free that amounts to two full time positions for the month before the race. Robert and Kory Skrob did a fantastic and professional job directing this race. Robert estimates that he and Kory spent at least 1,000 hours in the past year on the race, including at least 10 hours a day each for nearly a month before the race. They are both highly skilled professionals with plenty of other things they could be doing, in addition to their real-life paid jobs. Although Robert tells me that he and Kory got tremendous satisfaction from putting on the event, this race has changed so much and has doubled in size from two years ago, when there were 988 half marathon finishers in 2024. Robert and Kory followed in the footsteps of Geb Kiros and Tsige Tadesse; Felton and Bonnie Wright; Sheryl Rosen; Nancy Stedman and Jay Silvanima; “Marathon” Jack and Laura McDermott; and others before them, giving their “yes” to our community.

Talking with Robert got me thinking about the overall volunteer workload required to put on a race of this caliber, as polished as any race, staffed almost entirely by volunteers.

When you look behind the scenes, the numbers are staggering. By the race directors’ estimates, we had 301 volunteers serving in official roles across the weekend. That does not count the many family members and friends who step in informally to help carry tables, move water, sweep streets, or load trucks at the end of the day.

At the Expo alone, 38 volunteers greeted runners, handed out bibs and shirts, answered questions, and set the tone for the entire weekend. Fourteen more were out marking the course so that every turn was clear and safe. On race day, 105 volunteers staffed aid stations, handing out water and sports drinks with smiles and encouragement. Eightyfive more managed on-course traffic, standing at intersections to protect runners and keep cars moving safely.

At the finish line, it takes a small army. Ten volunteers worked the awards area. Thirteen handled finish line food. Nine supported timing. Another ten managed finish line operations and cleanup. Three staffed the start line, and we know that number needs to triple next year. Three handled bag check. Four coordinated aid station supplies, setup, and in-race support. Five managed sign pickup. Two served as treasurer and paymaster.

Every one of those roles matters. Every volunteer makes the race possible.

And that is only part of the picture. In addition to volunteers, the race directors coordinated with outstanding local partners: MidTown Print for materials, the Dunlap Champions Club for Expo space, In Tents Events for tents and infrastructure, ACME Barricades for course control, American AV LED panels at the finish line, Doodie Calls for portable toilets, the Tallahassee Police Department for safety and road closures, EMS for medical emergencies, among others. It truly takes the support of the entire community. Without law enforcement managing key intersections and helping with road closures, and EMS ready to respond, we simply could not host an event of this size safely.

When you compare our $65 half marathon entry fee to other large races, the difference is remarkable. Many major half marathons across the country charge between $125 and $200, depending on when you register. Some well-known urban races exceed $200. Even mid-sized regional half marathons often land in the $90 to $140 range. In other words, our half marathon costs roughly half, and sometimes less than half, of what runners pay elsewhere.

How can we do that?
Because 301 volunteers show up.
Because two race directors donate roughly 1,000 hours of their time.
Because sponsors step up.
Because our community believes in this event.

The true cost of a race like this is not just measured in dollars. It is measured in early mornings, in standing at intersections for hours, in hauling water jugs, in picking up discarded cups, in staying late to make sure the last barricade is removed and the streets are cleaner than we found them. It is measured in patience, professionalism, and pride.

What makes me most proud is that we do not cut corners. The race is safe. Because someone was there immediately, a young life that would have been lost due to a medical emergency was saved. The course is clearly marked. The timing works. The finish line feels big and celebratory. The medals are meaningful. The food is plentiful. The experience is first class.

Robert and Kory have carried on the torch of something special. They, along with Geb and Tsige last year, have handled the growth of this event from under 1,000 half marathon finishers just two years ago to nearly 2,000 this year. They have done it thoughtfully, carefully, and with excellence. And they have done it without drawing a paycheck for their leadership.

To every volunteer, whether you handed out water, marked a turn, managed traffic, served pizza, or picked up trash at the end, thank you. You made it possible for more than 2,500 runners to accomplish something hard. You made it possible for 161 young women under 20, including my daughter, to cross a finish line and feel strong and proud.

You made it possible for this race to remain accessible to students, young adults, families, and first-time runners.

That accessibility matters. When a half marathon costs $150 or more, many young runners simply cannot afford it. At $65, we remove a barrier. We invite the next generation into the sport. And based on what we saw this year, they are responding.

This race is not just an event on the calendar. It is a community effort. It reflects who we are as a club and as a city. It shows what can happen when skilled leaders like Robert and Kory combine vision with hard work, and when hundreds of volunteers say, “I’ll help.”

I am deeply grateful to them. And I am deeply grateful to all of you.

When you see someone wearing that marathon or half marathon medal, remember: behind that medal stand 301 volunteers, two extraordinary race directors, supportive vendors, our police department and EMS, and an entire running community working together.

That is something worth celebrating.

THANK YOU.