The 4 mile race began at Gate 4 at 4 pm. Free parking was available next to the starting line. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

Race participants listen to the Star Spangled Banner before the race. (Photo credit: Flash Frame)

Signage for the Valspar Golf Championship. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

The 2nd Annual Par4Miler at the Valspar Championship was sponsored by HSN Cares to benefit Moffitt Cancer Center 

The Par4Miler race was held at Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort in Palm Harbor on the cart paths of the famous Copperhead Course.

Runners (and lots of walkers) had an inside view of the course that would host the Valspar Championship.

The 4 mile race began at Gate 4 at 4 pm with everyone racing towards the 4th tee.

​Runners followed the cart paths for holes 4 through 18. The finish line was next to the 18th green hospitality tent at the top of a healthy incline.

The weather was partly cloudy and 73 degrees. Humidity was 46%. Scenery included rolling green hills, lots of curves, trees, fairways, greens and blue skies.

Runners saw everything that was in place for the start of the tournament the next day. We had sneak peeks of Chameleon Cove, Grape & Vine, clubhouse, hospitality tents, practice greens, autograph spots, the Snake Pit and the Copperhead golf course.

What You Need to Know

Packet Pickup: Packet pickup was available at the BB&T Bank in Largo from 3-6 pm on Friday, or at the race site on Sunday from 2-4 pm before the race.

​Packets included a shirt and bib number with timing chip, Valspar paint voucher, pain relief gels and a HSN beach ball.

Race Course: The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook has lush rolling hills and lots of mature trees. It's the perfect spot to run, and yes, to play golf! This race venue was a change of pace from urban road races.

Participants had an excellent view of the entire golf course — better even than when spectating during the tournament. The only other way to see everything this way would be to play golf.

Pacers: No. In fact, lots of the participants were slow walkers, there to raise money for charity (Moffitt Cancer Center).

Aid Stations: Yes. Water at mile 1, 2 and 3. Honey Stinger gels were available at the third aid station. Yum!

Port-o-lets: This venue was great because the place was already set up for the golf tournament crowds. That meant there were plenty of port-o-lets on the course. There was a permanent restroom near the starting line at Gate 4.

Parking: Parking was FREE in the green lot adjacent to Gate 4. Everyone parked and walked a short distance up the hill to the start line.

Cost: Depends on when you register. I registered in November 2016 for $30. Later the cost was $35-$40. There were spots available on race day. The option to buy golf tickets for $20 was available at registration. Processing fee was $4.50.

SWAG (Stuff we all get): Short sleeve tech shirt. Runners had a choice of colors: Black, Teal, Lime Green, and Orange. Some work teams coordinated their group by all wearing the same color shirt.

Each racer received a voucher for a FREE can of Valspar® Reserve® Interior Paint + Primer. A HSN beach ball, and samples of SORE NO MORE® pain relief gels.

Happy Surprise(s): Perfect weather. Lots of pleasant volunteers. Paramedics on the course that were cheering on the runners. 
Pro Football players, and twin brothers, Ronde and Tiki Barber ran the race. Tiki won the sibling rivalry.

Post Race Festivities: EXCELLENT. Finishers received their medals, then walked a couple of yards to the DEX Hospitality Tent. Inside the air-conditioned tent was a buffet of cheese pizza, brownies, granola bars, protein drinks, coconut water, soft drinks, beer and wine.

The buffet line moved quickly. A separate area with bartenders served beer and wine.

There were round tables inside the tent, plus stadium seating just outside facing the 18th green. 

There was a photo booth with props for runners who wanted a picture memento.

Photos: Yes. General and finish line photos were posted a couple of days after the race on the Par4Miler Facebook page and website.

Photos provided by FlashFrame. You choose the photos you want by placing them in the shopping cart and providing your email address. A link was sent via email for the free downloads. 

​Runners received a separate email with a link to photo booth pictures taken at the post race party.

Awards: The awards ceremony was in the hospitality tent. The top three overall male and female finishers; and top three in 10 year increments age groups were awarded.

Timing Chip: Yes. The chip was on the race bib. Digital display at the finish line.

Weather Report: It was beautiful weather. The 4 pm start time was nice. The course had mature trees that provided shade.
-> Partly cloudy
-> 41% humidity; slight breezes
-> Temps were low 70s

The Par4Miler was a family friendly charity event. There were lots of toddlers, parents and grandparents on the course. (Photo credit: Flash Frame)

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​Race Rating: A+

US 103.5 FM radio provided music to entertain runners before the race. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

Ronde and Tiki Barber, former pro football players and twin brothers, competed in the Par4Miler race. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

Runners and walkers started at Gate 4, crossed a fairway, and then ran the rest of the race on paved cart paths. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

The cart paths gave runners a smooth racing surface in the sun and shade. (Photo credit: Flash Frame)

The Par4Miler course offered Florida runners the rare treat of hills! (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

Their was a water aid station at mile 1, 2 and 3. Honey Stinger gels were at mile 3. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

Runners received a race shirt, beach ball, pain relief gels, spinner medal and voucher for a FREE can of Valspar paint. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

The race followed the cart paths through the famous Copperhead Course. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

The buffet line inside the DEX Hospitality tent had cheese pizza, brownies, granola bars and beverages. (Photo credit: Flash Frame)

Bartenders served cold beer, wine and soft drinks. (Photo credit: Flash Frame)

Racers had lots of choices at the post race party. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

Our shuttle driver took us back to the starting line after the party. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

My Race Recap

I loved this race course on a golf course!

While I enjoyed walking the race with my husband, next year I'm going to RUN. Those hills were beautiful, and I wanted to race on them.

During the race I stopped to take photos and let my husband get ahead of me, just so I could run to catch up to him.

The entire event was well organized, and a fun experience. There was lots of information online, including the Par4Miler Athlete Guide. We arrived at the event knowing what to expect — and race management delivered beautifully.

Pre-race was fun because we could walk around the golf course. A local radio station, 103.5 FM, played music at the starting line.

One word of warning — this family friendly charity event had lots and lots of strollers and slow walkers. So, if you want to run, make sure you line up in front at the starting line. 

The event organizers announced that attendance doubled this year. Last year was the Inaugural race. If the number of participants doubles again, they plan on a two wave start.

Thanks to all the volunteers in the parking lot, on the course, at aid stations, and in the post race tent. Everyone was helpful, kind and friendly.

After the party, runners could grab one of the steady rotation of golf cart shuttles to return to their cars near the starting line. It was fun to ride through Copperhead and chat with the driver and other runners.

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#SeenOnARun #SceneOnARun — The sand sculpture for the Valspar Chameleon Cove was under construction during the race. It was fun to see it completed when we attended the golf tournament as spectators. #Par4Miler

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