Thirty five thousand runners are taking over downtown Tampa this weekend for Tampa Bay's biggest running event.

  • 40th Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic this weekend
  • 5k, 15k on Saturday
  • Half marathon, 8K on Sunday
  • 35,000 runners out for the event

The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic is this weekend. The event kicked off with the 5k and 15k race Saturday morning. 

Saturday marked the 40th running of the Distance Classic, which raises money for youth organizations and running programs in the Bay area. 

The races started at 6:40 a.m., so the streets should be back open to traffic. 

However, more runners will be out Sunday for the half marathon and 8K. 

With thousands of runners on the streets, drivers may want to avoid the area. 

The 13.1 mile race starts at 6 a.m. from Platt Street and Little Bayshore Boulevard. 

The 8k starts at 9:15 a.m. from Bayshore Boulevard and Verne Street. Officials say all roads should be back open by noon at the latest. 

If you see some runners Sunday morning, give 'em a cheer and a wave! Running 13.1 miles is no easy feat.