51st Palace Saloon 5K

The 51st Palace Saloon 5K is the oldest and fastest 5K race in Tallahassee.

This a point-to-point race. While the finish line takes place at the Palace Saloon, parking and the race start are at the James Messer Sports Complex.

NO PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT THE PALACE SALOON PARKING LOT. 

Program your GPS to 2800 Jackson Bluff Rd. for the Start and for Public Parking (free) at Messer Field.

NOTE:  Registration will close on Saturday morning, April 11, at 7:30 a.m. ONLINE registration only.  No cash or checks on Saturday morning.

Packet Pickup

Early packet pickup is at the Palace Saloon, 1303 Jackson Bluff Road, on Wednesday, April 8th, from 3-6 p.m.  Save time on race morning by picking up your packet early!  If you miss early packet pickup, you may check in on race morning at Messer Field on Jackson Bluff Road beginning at 6:30 a.m.  

Registration Fees

• By March 15- $20, no shirt; $25 with shirt.
• March 16 - April 8 - $25, no shirt; $30 with shirt.
• April 8 (6:00 p.m.) - April 11 (7:30 a.m.) - $35 (shirts are not guaranteed).
• Members of GWTC will receive a $4 discount at checkout.
• Virtual participants - $20, no shirt; $25 with shirt.

Shirt sizes are guaranteed only through April 8th at 6:00 p.m.  Available shirt sizes include Youth L, Adult S, M, L, XL, and 2XL.

Virtual runners may pick up their race shirt (if ordered) at packet pickup on Wednesday, April 8 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Palace Saloon or on April 11, race day, at Messer Field.

Race directors will attempt to mail the t-shirt (if ordered) to all virtual runners who live out of town, or if the shirt is not picked up.  Please send an e-mail to this address if a mail option is requested:  okonj@tsc.fl.edu

Parking

Race start and free parking is at Messer Field, corner of Jackson Bluff Rd. and Dupree St. 

Packet Pickup

• Wednesday, April 8th at the Palace Saloon, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
• Race Morning beginning at 6:30 a.m., near race start at Jackson Bluff Road and Dupree St.

Race Start

Race starts promptly at 8:00 a.m.  

Awards Ceremony

Awards ceremony will begin by 9:45 a.m. Enjoy the morning!

Finish Line Recovery

Finish line recovery food courtesy of Jackson Properties, and adult beverages courtesy of the Palace Saloon and Gulf Winds Track Club. Live music at the finish. Race results will be posted on site and uploaded to the Gulf Winds Track Club website post-race. 

The first 2,000 registered finishers will receive a finisher medal.

Custom beer mugs & monetary awards will be presented to:

• The overall first male and first female
• Masters (40+) male and female
• Grandmasters (50+) male and female.

All awards are donated by Gulf Winds Track Club.  

Overall Champions

• $100 Male and Female

Masters Champion

• $50. Male and Female

Grand Masters Champion

• $50. Male and Female

Age Group Awards

• Custom engraved pint glass awards will be presented to the top 3 in each five-year age group for both male and female, starting with age group 1-9. 

An award will be presented to the Fraternity, Sorority and Club with the most finishers.  Fraternity, sorority and club members must be registered by April 10 at 6:00 p.m. Fraternity, sorority, or club membership must be listed when registering on RunSignUp.  Please list the entire name of the fraternity/sorority/club when registering; NO abbreviations.

The Palace team competition has always been about outright speed. The competition was originally set up with a 7-person MAX team roster where the five fastest runners times are added together and the lowest time for the 2 team divisions wins. (Men & Women divisions). Awards will be presented to the top two teams in each division.

Team members must register individually and join a team during registration.  Team members must be registered by 6:00 p.m. on April 10.    

No changes allowed on race day.  

Questions?  The Race Team Coordinator is Tim Unger, (runner1612@gmail.com).

The top two teams will each win a special award.

Race t-shirts are designed by RAGZ of Tallahassee.  T-shirts are guaranteed only to runners registered by April 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.  Packet pickup will take place at the Palace Saloon on Jackson Bluff Road on Wednesday, April 8 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Another great benefit of running this local race is contributing to two great charities. We are supporting the Oasis Center for Women and Girls in Tallahassee, a place where women and girls are valued, supported, and celebrated. They provide women's support groups, mental health counseling, girls empowerment programs, the Girls Can do Anything! summer camp, training for women who want to run for political office, and much more.  

The second Charity Partner is the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida.  From Parkinson’s disease to multiple sclerosis, and from Alzheimer’s disease to essential tremor and dystonia, the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health provides multi-disciplinary, patient-centered care and treatment to people living with complex neurological disorders.

The 51st Palace Saloon 5K is sponsored by Gulf Winds Track Club, a completely non-profit, volunteer-led organization.  All proceeds from our races support dozens of charitable organizations in our community. 

Our Partners: The Palace Saloon, Jackson Properties, Ragz T-shirts.

Madison Social will give one free mimosa to every 21+-year old runner who shows up at Madison Social with their race number on race day.