GATE RIVER RUN

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There are countless first-timers in the field each year. One that News4JAX met this week, Vidya Ramachandran, said she had been preparing for Saturday’s race for nearly a year after joining Moms on the Run.

According to Gate River Run officials, 13,500 runners registered for the 46th annual Gate River Run. But only 20 of them -- known affectionately as “Streakers” -- can say they’ve run them all.

Emily Sisson claimed her third straight women’s title in Saturday’s Gate River Run, but this year’s $5,000 Equalizer Bonus went to the man who caught her on the Hart Bridge off-ramp: Olympic steeplechaser Hillary Bor.

Tens of thousands of people participate each year in the Gate River Run, which is the largest 15K in the country and serves as the USA 15K championship.

We closed the workweek with record to near-record warmth, and more warmth is ahead this evening. An isolated shower will be possible NW of Jacksonville, with temps only falling into the mid 70s.

A cloudy start to the day with patchy to areas of dense fog this morning.  Another afternoon with record highs in range with more clouds than sun.  Above normal temperatures continue tomorrow with wind increasing through the day.  It’s possible that wind advisories will be issued Friday with scattered showers arriving late.

Mother Nature and Emily Sisson. And a lost minute. These are the three biggest storylines heading into Saturday’s Gate River Run, the national championship 15K.

On Saturday, the Gate River Run will be held for the 46th year, and for the first time in recent years, runners won’t have to adapt to a new course.

UF Health Jacksonville’s trauma unit will be in the spotlight this weekend.

Numerous athletes with area ties competed in the 126th Boston Marathon. Here's how those local runners fared.

Watch the 2022 Gate River Run broadcast.

More than 13,000 people ran in this year’s Gate River Run, which is a 9.3-mile road race winding through the streets of Jacksonville.

Some photos during a walk to work.

Crystal Davis claimed the women’s title and Nathan Jubran took the men’s, finishing the fastest among local competitors in the race on Saturday morning.

Women’s defending champion Emily Sisson dominated for the second year in a row to claim the 2022 Gate River Run women’s title and the equalizer bonus in a time of 47:28.

It was one year ago that Andrew Baker, a University of North Florida graduate with a promising future, collapsed after crossing the finish line in the Gate River Run.

If there’s anyone who knows how the body responds to running the River Run, it’s Page Ramezani. Not only does Ramezani hold records at five ages at the Gate, but he also is a cardiologist at the Florida Heart Clinic.

After two years plagued by COVID-19 precautions, the Gate River Run actually feels like the event of old. The 45th installment of the event, which will be televised on WJXT Channel 4 and streamed on News4JAX.com, is Saturday morning.

Augie Leone finished the race at 92 years old, becoming the oldest runner in Gate River Run history. Leone broke his own record set last year. He finished the River Run in 2 hours, 20 minutes, 24 seconds.

While this race attracts runners from all over the country -- it also helps local charities run closer to their goals.

Runners will notice one of a few changes. The biggest is the finish line.

For me, it’s on the Mt. Rushmore of Jacksonville sporting events. Saturday’s Gate River Run, the 45th running of the 15K race, will be my fifth year as part of the broadcast. It’s also one of my favorite days of the year.

The Gate River run is March 5. We asked the defending men’s champion Clayton Young and our race analysts, former Olympic marathoner Keith Brantly, five-time First Coast Cup winner Julie Stackhouse, and Ironman triathlon competitor and former Jaguars’ head athletic trainer Mike Ryan to provide some tips for runners to consider. Here’s what they said.

Things are getting back to normal at the Gate River Run. For the most part. One year after race organizers limited the field to 8,000 participants, about half of the usual number, they’re back to a full field, and runners are not missing their chance to be a part of it.

A salute to local businesses! Saturday is "904 Day"--in the 904. The special ways you can celebrate Jacksonville businesses, and how some are using the opportunity to give back.

The Gate River Run, an annual 15K running event that attracts both recreational and competitive runners, is your pick for Jacksonville’s  Best Road Race.

Engineers with the Florida Department of Transportation are examining the Hart Bridge, a process that can take up to four weeks.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The family of University of North Florida graduate Andrew Baker says he is fighting for his life after he collapsed near the finish line at the Gate River Run. An avid runner, Baker was planning and training for months to run in the Gate River Run. “We have pictures of him smiling, crossing the finish line probably 10 seconds before he had his heart attack,” Alred said. “He has the biggest smile on his face, so happy he’s finishing.”“He propelled himself across that finish line, and it was clear that nothing was going to stop him,” Gillian Baker said. Ad“I am just astounded by the support that we’re receiving, not only from his friends, but complete strangers,” Gillian Baker said.

Laura Campbell (second from left) and Mae Barker (right with pink hat) both finished among the fastest female runners of the Gate River Run soon after giving birth. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – They ran the Gate River Run before their new babies could crawl. Campbell about five and a half months ago and Barker less than a month before the Gate River Run. In training, Barker ran up the day before she gave birth, while Campbell didn’t run while pregnant. Then, less than a month later, she was lined up at the Gate River Run.

Our rain chances have dropped for NE FL but those across SE GA will continue to see showers track north this evening. Strong winds will continue along our beaches with a north wind 17 to 20 mph and gusts 30+ mph. We do have a Gale Warning offshore and a Small Craft Advisory along our beaches due to rough seas and rough surf. Cloudy skies and strong northeasterly winds 15-20 mph will continue through the night with lows dropping into the low 50s. Nor’easter conditions will follow us into Monday before we slowly improve with the a peek of sunshine returning Tuesday with highs back in the 70s - Yay!

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nor’easter conditions are out in full force Sunday. We’ll see multiple bands of rain, and a few areas may see heavy downpours. Strong winds will continue along our beaches with a north wind 17 to 20 mph and gusts 30+ mph. We do have a Gale Warning offshore and a Small Craft Advisory/High Surf Advisory along our beaches due to rough seas and rough surf. Tuesday thereafter conditions really get nice with highs in the 80s.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The excitement and energy were contagious Saturday morning as people ran the Gate River Run and many participants told News4Jax they were just excited to be racing again. First-time runner Krista Roehlig was one of 8,000 who made their way through the streets of the River City in cool and windy conditions. It’s the best race,” Roehlig said. Hard, but fun.”RELATED: Emily Sisson, Clayton Young win Gate River Run | Mandarin, UNF grad Sem Sultanov claims top local honor at River Run | Look up finish timesAdSeveral runners said the wind was especially challenging on the Hart Bridge, somewhat affectionately dubbed the “Green Monster” by participants. “It was very tough.”WATCH IT AGAIN: News4Jax broadcast of the 2021 Gate River RunAdDid we spot you among the runners this year?

He wasn’t going to be in the elite field for the Gate River Run. Another well-known area name was the top finisher for the women’s First Coast Cup, former Fletcher High running star Kayley DeLay. RELATED: Emily Sisson, Clayton Young win Gate River Run | Gutsy runners survive gusty test on Hart Bridge in this year’s Gate River RunAd“Throughout the race I passed a lot of the guys, you know, that started the elite race. Then you’ll be feeling good, so just keep your head up, you know, and don’t give up.”PHOTOS: Did we spot you at the 2021 Gate River Run? I think having the Gate River Run and then just having such a great field out here, I was just really hungry to come back, because I hadn’t raced since 2017 here,” she said.

On a blustery, windy Saturday morning in Jacksonville, Sisson turned in a dominant effort to win the 44th Gate River Run in dominant fashion. Clayton Young, the men’s winner, didn’t have nearly the buffer as Sisson. With the win, that was kind of an unexpected element so I had to run a bit off field,” Sisson. Young, in a pack of runners at the Green Monster, slowly began chipping away inside that final mile and a half. I was surprised there was such a pack at the top of that gigantic overpass,” Young said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – We’re less than 24 hours away from the start of 44th annual Gate River Run, the 15K national championship and the area’s biggest race. Authorities inside the Regional Transportation Management Center were preparing Friday for an influx of traffic in and around the River City, even with no festival following the race. This year’s Gate River Run has a limited field of 8,000 runners taking part in the 15K. SPECIAL SECTION: Gate River RunTo supervise the race, the Regional Transportation Management Center coordinates with a range of agencies including the Florida Highway Patrol, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Transportation. RELATED: Elite field ready to hit ground running for 44th Gate River Run | A look at the changes in place this year for the Gate River RunMasks are not required during the race, but runners must wear them at the start and finish line.

Enjoy it while it lasts because the weekend will be most associated with a nor’easter. Nor’easter conditions develop Saturday with mostly cloudy skies and below average lows in the upper 50s. Blustery winds will develop over the weekend out of the north northeast 15-20 mph. These northeasterly winds will also cause some issues at our beaches with rough surf and a high rip current risk through the weekend. Sunday will be slightly warmer in the low 60s with cloudy skies and strong northeasterly winds 15-20 mph.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The field for Saturday’s 44th annual Gate River Run is limited to 8,000 runners because of the pandemic. But the U.S. 15K National Championship is expected to draw one of the best fields of elite runners in recent years. Due to the pandemic, Alred said the elite runners will be tested for COVID-19 and will be kept separate from other runners on race day. RELATED: A look at the changes in place for the Gate River RunThere will also be two start lines this year. All of the runners participating in this year’s Gate River Run will have to wear a mask when they are not running.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Each week leading up to the Gate River Run on Saturday, H2 Health will provide tips for runners. But this week, physical therapist Lizzy Cooper takes runners right up to race day, and then a little beyond. There may be a desire to load up on carbs before the race to provide energy. Cooper of H2 Health said that many things like that can arise during the days before a big run. “Eat things that your body knows how to digest.”AdWhat about one final hard core training run before the big race?

First wave of runners take of in the 2020 Gate River RUnJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 44th annual Gate River Run is less than one week away. One start line will be at the corner of Duval and A. Phillip Randolph streets. The second start line will be at the corner of Adams and A. Phillip Randolph streets. It’ll be a safe event for everybody, and most people who come will feel like this is a traditional run.”The Gate River Run said it is expecting one of the best elite fields in recent years because of the limited number of races last year. AdWJXT will broadcast the Gate River Run again this year.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Each week leading up to the Gate River Run on March 20, H2 Health will provide tips for runners. We’ve focused on hamstrings before during our path to the River Run. But this week, physical therapist Michael Bailey covers two very easy ways to gauge just how flexible those muscles are. Hamstrings need to be stretched. That’s effectively going to pull your pelvis bones back where they belong, before you run and after you run.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Each week leading up to the Gate River Run on March 20, H2 Health will provide tips for runners. There are multiple positions and exercises associated with the plank for runners and walkers to address their core muscles. AdOne of the many plank exercises to explore is called the Superman exercise, which works out areas from the arms to the feet. “And what you’re going to do is then you’re going to pick up both upper body and lower body and raise them up and hold that position. You’re going to try to hold it for about 10 seconds, working up to 30 seconds, to a minute.

Runner’s knee or jumper’s knee, two different but similar conditions, often fall into a larger ailment known as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. “So, this is commonly known as runner’s knee, jumper’s knee, also called Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. So, people typically complain of a dull achy pain right along the front of the kneecap. They usually present as a sharp pain right above the knee along the outside. Pain usually gets worse when you bend the knee, when you run when you jump when you go up or down inclines,” Heather said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Gate River Run, an annual 15K running event that attracts both recreational and competitive runners, is your pick for Jacksonville’s best road race. SPECIAL SECTION: Gate River RunIn a typical year, the race would be followed by a festival in the Jacksonville Fairgrounds where thousands of runners and their family and friends wind down from the race and socialize. RELATED: Changes coming to Gate River Run in 2021Instead of a 15,000-runner field, entries have been capped at 8,000. Should the status of the event change due to coronavirus-related issues, the actual race would be canceled and moved to a virtual event. AdBecause of the limited number of top-flight races in the country, the elite field is expected to be one of the best in recent history.

Celebrating crossing the finish line of the 2020 Gate River Run. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Gate River Run is getting closer and race organizers are moving ahead on pulling off the 44th annual event next month in downtown Jacksonville. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing quite a few changes to the iconic race, including a field that’s been reduced by nearly half. There won’t be a Junior River Run, Diaper Dash or Brooks Challenge Mile this year. Harroufi later failed two drug tests by USADA, including one at the River Run on March 7, and his results were scrubbed from the list.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Each week leading up to the Gate River Run on March 20, H2 Health will provide tips for runners. We’ve covered a variety of topics thus far and this week’s may be one of the simplest for runners and walkers to perform. John Kovacs, the vice president of sales at H2 Health, said that the method hits numerous areas for runners and walkers and the benefits can be substantial. “So, you just work your way slowly down the leg. “You get to decide how much pressure you put on the foam roll and you’re just going to roll your way up and down,” Arrigenna said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Each week leading up to the Gate River Run on March 20, H2 Health will provide tips for runners. It can be useful for runners who are just coming off of a taxing run to continue to run, albeit, with less pressure on their joints. For those who are working through an injury, the treadmill affords runners the chance to gradually build strength and mobility back up. “It allows you to reduce your body weight by up to 75% to help you focus better on mechanics, form, without pain,” Cooper said. “So, when used in a rehabilitation field … reduction in body weight will allow you to work more on your gait mechanics, your form, your posture, with less pain in your joints.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Each week leading up to the Gate River Run on March 20, H2 Health will provide tips for runners. Two of the top treatments for issues like that are Astym and cupping, both noninvasive methods to help in the recovery process. John Kovacs of H2 Health said those two methods can be ideal for runners and walkers during the lead up and even after events such as the Gate River Run. Astym treatment is done on the surface of the skin and helps damaged soft tissue heal. “One of the main physiological affects, it helps to lift the skin and by lifting that skin we can help promote oxygen and bloodflow back to that area,” Kovacs said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – WJXT will, once again, broadcast the Gate River Run in 2021 on Saturday, March 20. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is forcing a number of changes to the race day activities. 2021 Gate River Run starting course (1st place sports)One starting line will be at the corner of Duval Street and A. Phillip Randolph street as it was last year. AdSome other notes about this year’s race:All runners and walkers should be in position by 7:30 a.m.Elite women will start at 7:54 from the Duval Street starting line. Here’s a look at where the starting waves will line up:

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Each week leading up to the Gate River Run on March 20, H2 Health will provide tips for runners. John Kovacs, the vice president of sales at H2 Health, said that as runners begin to build up to the run there are simple things to help prevent injuries and loosen muscles. Take care to loosen up the hamstrings in the legs both before and after a run. Get those things assessed before it’s too late,” he said. If you imagine, that musculature is going to shorten with exercise so you want to keep it long.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Each week leading up to the Gate River Run on March 20, H2 Health will provide tips for runners. John Kovacs, the vice president of sales at H2 Health, said it’s one of the most common and even overlooked elements of running — finding the right shoes. “Make sure you’ve got the right running shoes. Make sure [your] gear, that’s probably most often the thing that causes the most discomfort,” he said. “We see a lot of plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, just from wearing the wrong running shoes.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville unveiled a new tool on Tuesday morning that will help track walkers, runners and cyclists and give the city important information it needs for new infrastructure projects. The Eco-counter purchase was made possible by a $31,550 donation from JTC Running, the nonprofit that created and hosts the annual Gate River Run, among other initiatives, according to the city. City officials showed how the new technology works during a demonstration at Corkscrew Park, a full-service, free outdoor fitness area along the Northbank Riverwalk.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Gate River Run will limit its field to 70% capacity and put numerous other safeguards in place for its 2021 event due to the coronavirus pandemic. The biggest change is capping race entries at 8,000 for the marquee 15K event. The Gate River Run has been televised live on WJXT for years. Harroufi later failed two drug tests by USADA, including one at the River Run on March 7, and his results were scrubbed from the list. • All participants and volunteers must check their temperature on race morning prior to coming to race.

Julie Stackhouse repeated as the winner of the Cup, while Ryan Speir was the male champ on a chilly and windy Saturday morning at the Gate River Run. In the 43rd River Run, that went to Speir and Stackhouse. “It was obviously good conditions for the run today, minus the wind,” Speir said. “I just wanted to line up and I run for Brooks and my motto was run happy today,” Stackhouse said. Just wanted to soak it all in, enjoy the crowds, enjoy the competition, enjoy the course.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Even if you’re an old pro at navigating your way around the runners in the annual Gate River Run, you’ll want to read this. The course start and route have changed a bit because of construction on the Hart Bridge Expressway. If you’re headed anywhere downtown or on the Southbank on Saturday, check out what times certain roads will be closed so you can plan ahead. Race Day Course Closures

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Gate River Run is Saturday, and News4Jax is getting you ready for the big event. A lot of runners won't even think about lacing up their shoes without a pair of headphones and a playlist. They found listening to songs with high beats per minute boosted performance up to 15%. Spotify has its own playlist of songs with high BPMs that is aimed at runners. We wanted to know what songs fuel you, so we asked on Facebook.

For those who are new to the spectacle that is the annual Gate River Run, you might be surprised when you're handed a beer after crossing the finish line -- or even during the race (got to love those volunteers!) Experienced runners know beer is actually a good way to re-hydrate because most American beers are mostly water, have a small amount of protein and have a third of their calories from carbohydrates, according to RunnersWorld.com. And some craft brewers have taken advantage of runners' love for beer by designing “recovery-friendly” ales and lagers that can ease aches. RunnersWorld said these beers add vitamin-rich fruit or salt to replace lost electrolytes. According to RunnersWorld, the seven best beers to end a run with are:Sufferfest Beer Co.'s FKTZelus' Race Pace New England AleDogfish Head's SeaQuench AleMispillion River Brewing's War GooseGoose Island's SoleilSam Adams' Raspberry Lemon GoseAvery Brewing Co.'s Go Play IPAFor more on these beers and why they can benefit you after a run, check out RunnersWorld’s breakdown.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There are be a few changes for the Gate River Run this year, and certainly the most noticeable is a new location for the starting line. Early work on the demolition of the Hart Bridge ramp forced organizers to move the starting line two blocks north -- from Bay Street to Duval Street. Alred said the new starting line will be closer to the finish line than ever before. Also, as a result of relocating the starting line, the 5K race -- which usually starts at the same time as the 15K -- will now start 30 minutes later. Alred said while there is adequate parking, if you have never run the Gate before, be prepared for the size of the crowd.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla – The ladies have dominated the men in Gate River Run participation for the past several years. However, that age group has dwindled -- down to 1,361 in 2012 to 879 last year -- even though women still outnumber men overall. We know there are other things that people can get attracted to besides running,” Alred said. This year will be her third Gate River Run. Men vs. women finishers in first 41 years of Gate River Run* Race delayed one day by ‘Storm of the Century’

Major changes to Gate River RunPublished: February 3, 2020, 6:49 pmRunners will need to prepare for a new route for the Gate River Run next month.