Alachua County makes history hosting World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships
Press release from Alachua County
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Beginning with the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, Alachua County will become the first location in the United States to host the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships.
Taking place at the Alachua County Sports and Event Center at Celebration Pointe (4870 Celebration Pointe Ave., Gainesville), this historic event is expected to draw over 3,700 participating athletes from 99 countries, shattering the previous attending countries’ record. When you include coaches, family, and friends, an estimated 9,000 total visitors to the county are expected.
The competitive events, featuring athletes from 35 to 104 years old, will run March 23-30. Events include indoor track and field events as well as outdoor cross country, road race, race walk, and outdoor long throws. Outdoor events will be held at newly constructed facilities at the recently acquired West End property in Jonesville (12830 W. Newberry Road). Admission is free for spectators.
General schedule and competition details are available at www.wmaci2025.com.
“We are excited to welcome the world to Alachua County this month,” said Alachua County Commission Chair Charles “Chuck” Chestnut IV. “The investments we’ve made in the Alachua County Sports and Events Center and to the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships will create great economic benefits and showcase our county on the world stage.”
There are still ways for the community to get involved. Volunteer opportunities are still available, and there is a 5K Road Race open to residents of all ages on March 29, 2025. Volunteer sign-up, registration, and other information can be found on the official World Masters website.
“Volunteers are an essential part of producing an event of this magnitude. We thank all those who have committed their time to welcome these amazing athletes to our community,” said Stephen Rodriguez, director of the local organizing committee.
The Athlete Village, located on Celebration Pointe Avenue, adjacent to the Event Center, will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with live entertainment, vendors, and more. Admission is free. Vendor and local business opportunities can also be found on the event website.
Ohmygosh, this is almost as exciting as the upcoming 2025 Greater Gainesville Pickleball Open.
Another one who probably always lived in the boonies and never left this are. How pitiful!
Chestnut said, “The investments we’ve made in the Alachua County Sports and Events Center and to the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships will create great economic benefits and showcase our county on the world stage.”
He should have said, “The amount of taxes people have paid should eventually provide a return on the monies we’ve billed them for. If not, we’re sure to have another proposed stupid tax in the near future.”
Wonder if it’ll make a dent in the debt Celebration Pointe has.
Our Taxpayers were not “billed.” The construction of the Alachua County Sports and Event Center was paid for by the Bed Tax paid by visitors, as was the financial contribution to the World Masters event. Celebration Pointe’s debt has nothing to do with the Event Center.
I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you’ll be cleaning up the encampments around the Archer Rd & I-75 overpass and in front of the McDonald’s? Probably put a little more effort into keeping the panhandlers out of the medians on Newberry Rd & 34th at Archer Rd?
If you’re going to showcase the county, you wouldn’t want the trash to be in full view.
Nope, your homeless obsession post didn’t do anything to remove that welt “Alachua County” left on you. I’ve heard 100% Totally Wrong Salve will help.
Closing your eyes as you drive by doesn’t make it go away either Jazzyass.
Spare us your propaganda, Alan. The $38 million the BOCC handed to Celebration Pointe with no strings attached is one of the biggest scandals in recent memory. Sadly the Alachua Chronicle, and particularly owner Len, will not write about it because they are sucked up in the Gainesville “jock mentality” with every one else.
Propaganda? This is an actual event. It is happening. The county did not give Celebration Pointe $38 million without strings attached. We own the facility. We spent $30 million on the construction; Celebration Pointe provided the remainder. What part of this story is propaganda?
Lol nobody cares. Never heard of it and no one’s gonna go watch that 😒
The world doesn’t revolve around you, it is very exciting to people in this town as we have great runners that came out of UF and became Olympic athletes. If you never heard of it, you’re probably one of those people that live in the country, hardly ever left the state and probably never travel the world. How pitiful!
We understand that you don’t care.
This historic event is expected to draw over 3,700 participating athletes from 99 countries, shattering the previous record for the number of attending countries. When you include coaches, family, and friends, an estimated 9,000 total visitors to the county are expected.
Alachua County has a huge track community. We anticipate a large number of spectators.
You anticipate a “large number of spectators??????” LOL! You do realize most people in Alachua County couldn’t name one Elite track athlete right. You do also realize that you can fit about 15 people inside the indoor facility once you have the 200 meter track up and the athletes competing. But I like how you’re spinning it to make it sound like a REALLY big deal.
Who cares? We have that many for most any Gators sporting event, way more for football games. It’s just another boondoggle perpetrated by small-town simpletons who probably think Palatka is a great metropolis. We already have students here from 99+ countries, so – again – WHO CARES?
Hopefully you’re not paying for their visit.
Meant to say ‘we’re not paying for their visit ‘
Participants are paying their way.
Good to hear.
Many of us have heard or know about the tax breaks/incentives given to businesses and developers by both City and County Boards.
Are they also responsible if they crash vehicles that don’t belong to them if they’re out of the area they’re supposed to be?
Asking for a friend.
This WM is going to be a big mess so let it play out. There is only one way to make it a bigger mess, so I’m praying for a nice week long spring rain.