Palace 5K keeps on running
Local race maintains its popularity after 32 years
Tyler Frazier
Posted: 4/6/06 Health nuts and drinkers will join forces April 15 for the 32nd annual Palace 5K, which is the oldest 5K race in Tallahassee.
Beginning at James Messer Field at 8 a.m., the race will conclude after 3.1 miles at the Palace Saloon where runners will be treated to free beer and a T-shirt for their efforts. Those who finish within the top three fastest times will be rewarded with a trophy.
In his junior year at Florida State, Chuck Fisher, along with two partners, bought a gas station on Jackson Bluff Road with the intent of turning it into a bar. He thought that there would be a big market for his idea, especially since so few were open at that time.
Soon after the purchase, the Palace Saloon opened, and for 34 years it has been one of the most successful bars in Tallahassee.
Some people are such fans of both the bar and the race that they have tattoos on their thighs of the actual Palace running mugs.
"Price is everything," owner Chuck Fisher said concerning the success of the Palace. "I try to instill in my employees to treat customers the way they would want to be treated if they were going out somewhere. I have had some good employees work with me over the years. A lot of them are college students and will work a year or two even after they graduate until they find the job they want."
Fisher had such a good feeling about his new investment that within two years he bought out his partners, making himself the sole owner.
Many of his cliental were runners, so Fisher thought it would be fun to hold a 5K race.
The initial event was held 32 years ago at National Bridge Road. Despite the fact that there was only a dirt road to run on, the race still achieved quite a turnout.
Soon after, the Gulf Wind Track Club was created and included the race in their schedule, which helped ensure that the race became permanent.
"The track club has really carried it on and has made it a Grand Prix event where they have different age groups," Fisher said. "They have officially made it part of the track club as an event where they keep score on all the competition between the different age groups, so that has helped."
Members of the track team who participate can count their finish towards their personal goals for the season.
Individuals choosing to run are divided into different groups depending on their ages, so every runner has an equal chance to win within their own age group. This way, when all is said and done, there are more winners than in usual races. Different prizes are handed out each year.
The team competition will also be divided into two divisions รข€" men and women. Teams are made up of five to seven runners, and the fastest five will be officially scored.
The squad with the fastest totals of its top five members will be the team champion.
"The Palace 5K is a very reasonable race," FSU alumni Steve Johnson said. "The reason I personally always run it is basically to be around friends. We do not take it too seriously, because we usually run just to get the shirt and the free beer afterwards. This year I think I am going to try to run it in its entirety, because I just want test myself."
Anyone who wishes to run is welcome, but must first complete an entry form and pay a $12 fee. Those who wait until the day of the race to join must pay $15.
One also has the option of entering without receiving the T-shirt, which is $5 cheaper than the original price.
Either way runners are going to have to work to beat last year's record of 16:06 set by Lee Willis.
"My friends, Allison Anne Wedewer and Alicia Rapp, really inspired me to run in this year's upcoming Palace 5K," Palace bartender Kimberly Ficocelli said. "After working at the bar for a few years, I finally was able to free up the time to participate in the event for the first time ever. They have been close friends of mine for years, and they have been cheering me on to finally race. Hopefully I will be able to do great and finish first this year."