TAMPA, Fla. — Thousands of runners are taking over downtown Tampa this weekend for the Gasparilla Distance Classic.

It’s one of the most popular races in the area and a lot of hard work goes into preparing.

What You Need To Know

  •  The Gasparilla Distance Classic is taking over downtown Tampa this weekend

  •  It's one of the most popular races in the area

  •  There are 5K, 8K, 15K and half marathon races

First-time runner Alisha King never thought participating in a race like this would be in the cards for her.

King almost lost her life in a car crash six years ago. It sent her to the ICU with blood clots in her lungs and legs.

King’s recovery led to a sedentary life. When she hurt her back carrying a TV upstairs, King knew it was time to make a change.

“I just knew that at 25 years old, that couldn’t be my life anymore and it scared me,” she said. “I literally broke down in tears and I just said I need to exercise, I need to move, I need to do something.

“It was out of fear.”

King set her mind to train for the Gasparilla Distance Classic. She’s been running five days a week and strength training two to three times a week. As a result, King has lost 55 pounds in five months.

“It’s taught me discipline and it’s made me an overall better person,” she said. “That was really the goal, was how do I make Alisha better? Of course, losing weight was going to come with that. I knew that if I ran and if I ate better, it would just end up happening.”

King has been sharing her journey on social media and hopes to show other people that they can do whatever they set their mind to.

“It can just even start with something as simple as going on a walk,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be the big things, as long as you’re in motion. The best thing really is to fall in love with the process.”

King is grateful to be where she is today and is excited to celebrate the progress she’s made.

“My mom is going to be there, I’m going to have my boyfriend supporting me and I’m going to burst out into tears when I cross the finish line,” she said.

On Saturday, King ran in the 15K race and will participate in the 8K on Sunday. Even though this is King’s first ever race, she’s already looking forward to training for the next one.