Zephyrhills in Pasco County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Great Endurance Run

Photographed By Julie Szabo, October 13, 2007

1. The Great Endurance Run Marker

Inscription. On November 23-26, 1909, an automobile road race was held to promote the need for “good roads” in Florida. “The Great Endurance Run,” as it was called, was sponsored by “The Tampa Daily Times” under the auspices of “The Tampa Automobile Club.” The grueling, four day “endurance run” from Tampa to Jacksonville did, indeed, foster bond issues and highway construction throughout Florida.

The first place award was “The Tampa Times Trophy” and five acres of land in “Zephyrhills Colony.” This “prize real estate” is approximately one mile west of this marker and some of that exact land has been transferred here, into this planter box, in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of “The Great Endurance Run.”

Erected 1984 by Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, City of Zephyrhills and “Autoists”.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1925.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 28° 15.159′ N, 82° 11.272′ W. Marker was in Zephyrhills, Florida, in Pasco County.

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Marker could be reached from the intersection of U.S. 301 and County Road 54, on the right when traveling north. Hidden between a gas station and a restaurant parking lot in an overgrown patch of grass. You will be facing US 301 as you read the plaque. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Zephyrhills FL 33540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Oakside Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); GAR Hall (approx. 1.3 miles away); Veterans Park (approx. 1.8 miles away); Aaron W. Guynn (approx. 1.8 miles away); Zephyrhills Depot (approx. 1.9 miles away); Zephyrhills Railroad Depot (approx. 1.9 miles away); A Harsh Green Desert (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zephyrhills.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Official Route of the Automobile Road. This Daytone Gazette article from November 20th, 1909 outlines the route of the endurance contest. (Submitted on December 3, 2009.)

Additional commentary.
1. Gone
This marker is no longer there, you can see the base but the marker is gone

— Submitted July 20, 2018, by Matthew Richardson of Riverview, Florida.

Photographed By Bill Royal, December 3, 2009

2. The Great Endurance Run Marker

Photographed By Bill Royal, December 3, 2009

3. The Great Endurance Run Marker

Facing the marker and looking towards US301 from in between the Gas Station and the Muffler Repair shop.

Photographed By Bill Royal, December 3, 2009

4. The Great Endurance Run Marker

Standing on US-301 and facing the rear of the marker in between the Gas Station and the Muffler Repair shop.

Where the race began. image. Click for full size.

5. Where the race began.

Area of The Great Endurance Run Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Royal, December 3, 2009

6. Area of The Great Endurance Run Marker

Taken from the median of US301 at the intersection of SR54. Marker is located just aside the right base footing of the Radiant/Marathon Sign and is not visible in this photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2007, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,030 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 1, 2007, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 3, 2009, by Bill Royal of Sun City Ctr, Florida. 5. submitted on November 1, 2007, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. 6. submitted on December 3, 2009, by Bill Royal of Sun City Ctr, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.