Taking Competitor’s ‘Best of’ Survey

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.)