New Gulfport Running Group in Town

Attention everyone! Runners and walkers of all ages and athletic abilities are invited to join a new running and walking group in Gulfport.

New resident Linzy Wilson created a Facebook Group called "Gulfport Runners and Walkers" with the hopes of meeting new people and inspiring new runners and walkers. 

Wilson's first group event is on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Peg's Cantina. Come out for a 3.1 mile loop around town. Four-legged friends are invited too!

"I am excited to meet other like-minded individuals, help train/encourage new runners and walkers and… a good microbrew at the end of a run doesn’t hurt either," Wilson says.    

Wilson, who recently moved here from Lakeland, says she enjoys running, staying active and understands the importance of exercise. She's looking forward to making new friends and having a local runner's group right here in Gulfport.

"I have encouraged/unwilling forced a handful of friends to train for and complete their first 5k. Though they hated me in the beginning, all of them now have a love of running; they just needed that push to get them started. I want this group to not only be for seasoned runners but for those who have always dreamed of completing a 5k; those that have gotten discouraged in the past because of the fear of failure," Wilson says.

Wilson's participated in organized runs for nine years and says her longest run was the St. Pete Rock N' Roll Half Marathon in 2012.

"I typically enjoy 5ks, 10ks and mud runs. But, any run for a good cause is right up my alley," she says.