CIGAR CITY - TAMPA THROUGH TIME TOUR – 10K
All the highlights of downtown with plenty of time left over to dive deep into the history of Tampa’s favorite neighborhood, Ybor City.
Runner on the ground - LAURA
10 years of running
Starting along the Hillsborough River, in the heart of downtown, we will make our way toward Ybor City. We will leave Amalie Arena and the beautiful Harbor Island views behind as we make our way into the Channelside District. Running through Tampa’s port, we’ll pass by many restaurants and shops, the aquarium and of course, cruise ships. We will even see the American Victory ship (one of only four remaining operational WWII ships), along the way.
When we cross into Ybor, you’ll immediately feel like you’re running taken back in time. The buildings and signs that stand here now are the same ones that stood over a century ago when Ybor was first coming to life. Mostly an entertainment and somewhat residential district now, Ybor is still very much like it was when Martinez was first making Ybor into the Cigar Capital of the world (at the time). We will tell you everything from how it came to be called Ybor to the role this little cigar neighborhood played in making Tampa what it is today. We will also tell you the best places to grab a Cuban Sandwich or maybe a nice hand-rolled cigar (they still have plenty of those), because Ybor is all about a good time!
As we depart Ybor and return downtown, we’ll make one last stop at Jose Marti Park- land that is still Cuban owned, yet sits right here in Tampa. We will then run downtown, being first greeted by Perry Harvey Sr Park. Coming into downtown from this direction also allows for a more urban feel and comes with more opportunities to pass more local spots. Running throughout downtown will allow for tons of different views for photos, while also seeing all of the sights, like the haunted Tampa Theatre or the beautifully designed Sacred Heart Church.
The tour will wind down with a relaxing jog down the Riverwalk back to where we first met. Still learning about the city, you’ll pass by stunning views of the University of Tampa, and of the skyline, itself. We can even run up on the Platt Street Bridge before we finish to grab some really great skyline views for photos! If you want a tour with all the history of Tampa and Ybor, a really great workout and lots of local knowledge, this is the tour for you!
Brandon Linder –
I decided one afternoon to shake up my long run and book a tour, and was NOT disappointed! The location for meet-up was very central, parking was incredibly easy, and the route was well lit even in the early AM.
Laura was an ASTOUNDINGLY good guide, and her knowledge of the history of Ybor and Tampa was very impressive. We took a lot of running selfies and stopped a few times to enjoy the areas, which made the 10k route feel nearly effortless. We traded a bit of shared knowledge and fun stories on the way, and she even gave some local info on a great coffee shop afterward!
I’m definitely looking forward to another tour soon.
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Ali from San Diego –
Amazing 10k run with Laura this morning! It was really fun and much safer than how I usually jog – alone with headphones LOL. I learned so much about Tampa and Ybor and also got great food recommendations too. I highly recommend this tour.
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user_tampa –
Thank you so much, Ali! I had such an awesome time running with you and I am so glad that you had a good time discovering Ybor City with me! I still brag about you saying that you would hop a fence for me at then end when we arrived to Jose Marti Park after hours. That’s still the best compliment I’ve ever gotten! Happy Running! – Laura
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Melissa Castora-Binkley –
This running tour was soooo fun! Laura is a great tour guide and made us feel very comfortable. We were very scared of the distance, but between crossing streets and pictures, it went very smoothly. I highly recommend doing a running tour with Laura. We saw so many things I didn’t realize were here in Tampa and Ybor!
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Laura –
Thank you for the awesome review, Melissa! I had a blast exploring downtown and Ybor with you and Carly and I’m happy I was able to keep you guys distracted enough regarding the distance. 🙂 I enjoyed chatting the whole way and you both were just an absolute blast to run and laugh with as we adventured through Ybor! It’s always a special treat to run with runners who are basically local- something very extra cool about that! Cheers and happy running to you both!
-Laura
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