By Pete Williams
Competitor Magazine is holding its annual survey for the best in endurance sports for 2012, surveying people in each of the eight regions where it publishes a magazine. Voters select 37 categories, including best marathon, triathlon store, and personal trainer.
Here’s our vote:
(Instructions: Write in your LOCAL Winners for:)
Best Charity Training Program – Too many to choose just one
Best Charity to Fundraise for – Too many to choose just one
Best 5K/10K – Oldsmar Tap House/Beer Run 5K
Best Marathon – X-Country Marathon (Alafia River)
Best Half-Marathon – Florida Challenge Trail Half Marathon (Alafia River)
Best Trail Race – Yak-a-Thon Adventure Race (Winter Garden)
Best Swimming/Watersports Event – Pacifico Paddle (SUP) Challenge (St. Pete)
Best Women’s Event – Women’s Half Marathon (St. Pete)
Best Cycling Event – Team Tony’s Cycle of Life
Best Triathlon – Top Gun Triathlon
Best Adventure/Mud Race – Too many strong candidates to choose just one
Best Race Swag – Warrior Dash (Lake Wales)
Best Race T-Shirt – Highlander Adventure Run (Winter Garden)
Best Running Shoe – Too many strong candidates to choose just one
Best Swim Shop – All-American Aquatics (Clearwater)
Best Outdoor Shop – Bill Jackson’s Shop for Adventure (Pinellas Park)
Best Bike Shop – Outspokin’ Bicycles (Clearwater)
Best Specialty Running Store – FitNiche (Lakeland)
Best Triathlon Store – Kona Multisport (Tampa)
Best Running Club – Running Commando
Best Triathlon Club – Team Espresso Love
Best Sports Massage – Enhanced Performance/Karen Stromberg
Best Health Club – N/A
Best CrossFit Studio – TNL Tampa
Best Spinning Class – LA Fitness Countryside, Fla. (Alyssa Bubeck)
Best Sports Rehab Center – Athletes’ Performance (Gulf Breeze, Fla.)
Best Sports Doctor – Michael Reilly (St. Petersburg)
Best Yoga Class – Cathy Winters (Land O’Lakes)
Best Sports/Recovery Drink – Mix1
Best Energy Bar – Kawaii Bar
Best Energy Gel – GU (Espresso Love flavor)
Best Postrace Brunch – Sharks Siesta Key Triathlon
Best Active Lifestyle Vehicle – Jeep Liberty or Wrangler
Best Personal Trainer – Sophia Zayfman
Favorite Destination Race – Caliente Bare Dare 5K (Land O’Lakes, Fla.)