JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Back for the 47th year and this time sold out, the Gate River Run took thousands of runners through Jacksonville and over the 'Green Monster' or the Hart Bridge Saturday morning.
Nearly 14,000 runners laced up their shoes for this year’s Gate River Run. Some like the group of Elite men, were looking to break their personal records.
Some came for tradition, like the group of 19 'Streakers' seen wearing orange, who have run every year since the race started in 1978.
Others are just here for the experience.
“This is my first time. I actually live in a little town called Riverview Florida near Tampa, I’m up here with my child, I’m supporting her and having fun and trying to see what I can do on this 15k today," Jennifer Thomas, who ran with her daughter, said.
"I’m a big advocate for Black community on health pushing health initiatives and charity of any kind. I work with children, I work with older people, so any time I see charity I’m like okay sure," Kenyatta, a 5k Charity Runner, said.
The 15-kilometer or 9.3-mile course took crowds through downtown Jacksonville, over the Main Street Bridge and into San Marco, with dozens of volunteers handing out drinks and food along the way.
“The course was full the whole time, I loved all the different stations in all the different neighborhood. My favorite was when they were throwing munchkins at us. It really helped keep the energy up for the whole race," Scotty and Charlotte, husband and wife runners, said.
Thousands took on the challenge that is the ‘Green Monster’. With a 200-foot incline, it’s described as the hardest part of the course, but it’s the last challenge before the finish line.
“Pretty flat expect for the end. It’s humid today so that was a challenge but I’m use to training in Florida. It was suppose to rain today but the rain held off so that was great I didn’t know if I was going to have to run in the rain or not, but it was just another fun gate," Trent, who finished in 50 minutes, said.