The City of Tampa's Parks and Recreation Department and the Pepperjack's Kids Running Program have teamed up again to give hundreds of young Tampa runners a boost in fitness, discipline, and nutrition.
Since 2015, more than 2,000 children from Parks and Recreation programming have participated in the program. Approximately 250 kids have been training this year, preparing for the final goal: to run the last two miles of the Gasparilla half marathon on Sunday, February 23.
Pepperjack's gives each runner - 3rd grade through 8th grade - a pair of shoes, socks, a running shirt, and a backpack, courtesy of the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association. Both organizations sent staff members to measure each child participant properly to ensure the perfectly fitted shoe.
"Exercise is so important for our children to get, but there are so many hurdles to getting kids moving today," Mayor Jane Castor said. "Parks and Recreation, Pepperjack's, and the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association are making a wonderful, positive difference in thousands of young lives."
Runners train every week, from once to up to five times. They come from across the city, representing 21 recreation and community centers.
"We get them doing laps, stretching, working on their endurance, and working on their speed," Parks and Recreation Manager Regina McBride Smith said. "We even get them running when they don't know they're running - playing tag and capture the flag. All things to get them moving."
An enhancement came this year via a White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. Clinical Dietitian Nicole Misner from the University of South Florida Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Department has added her expertise to help the kids learn about good nutrition decisions.
Pepperjack's first year was 2000. It worked with St. Peter Claver and then the YMCA before Parks and Recreation became its partner in 2015.
Sign-ups for the 2026 Pepperjack Running Program will be in September and October 2025. All children must have a Parks and Recreation rec card.