Jet-ski races and marathons might be the least complementary sports for Chris Lauber to organize. But the race director of the Florida Gulf Beaches Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 21, in Clearwater, was looking for a career challenge, and found one with a unique twist.

This year's marathon will be the first that has received official Super Bowl sanctioning.

"Jet-skiing and running a marathon?" the 41-year-old Lauber asks rhetorically. "As sporting events, there are no similarities. One has an engine, the other is foot-propelled. You can stage a jet-ski race in an area the size of a football field. For a marathon, obviously, you need a lot of space. It was a whole different approach, and yet there are similarities -- an event is an event."

In the world of jet-ski racing, Lauber and his brother were among the sport's pioneers, and the first promoters to stage an event outside California. But the marathon, with running's 100-plus year legacy, provided Lauber with substantial resources.

In Florida alone, there are already eight marathon races. But the Florida Gulf Beaches Marathon is the first to be sanctioned by a Super Bowl organizing committee, in this instance, the Tampa Bay Super Bowl XXXV Task Force.

The Super Bowl is set for Jan. 28 in Tampa Bay, and Lauber's marathon will serve as the first large-scale event in a weeklong preamble that includes concerts, fashion shows, sports expos and golf tournaments.

While the inaugural Gulf Beaches Marathon attracted more than 550 entrants last year, this second edition is expected to attract some 2,000 entrants. The event will have three divisions: the marathon; a two-person relay (two 13.1-mile legs); and a five-person relay (four 5-mile legs and one 6.2-mile leg).

Although Lauber has some restrictions on the use of the "Super Bowl" designation -- he can't use the words "Super Bowl" in the race name, for example -- he relies on a football theme in race promotional material. In the event's listing of race attractions, he explains: "Kick off Super Bowl week in Tampa Bay", "Run our flat, fast scenic and certified course", "Pass through our parks and unique beach communities" and "Catch sunrise over the bay."

The loop course begins and ends on the Clearwater Memorial Causeway and features five beach communities along the the Gulf of Mexico before heading inland toward Seminole. The route then heads north along the Pinellas Trail, through Largo and toward its conclusion back in Clearwater. The final stretch is slightly winding and downhill, with a panoramic view of Clearwater's waterfront.

The Pinellas Trail section utilizes an urban multi-use recreation trail that extends from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. Once primarily abandoned railroad tracks, the Pinellas Trail recently celebrated its 10th anniversary as part of the national "Rails to Trails" concept. It's now used by more than a million visitors each year.

In all, the course will progress through eight cities and encompass the area's most well-known assets: parks, beachfront communities and scenic views.

"I think in the long run, it will be the destination that determines our success," said Lauber. "I don't expect us to ever be like a New York, Chicago or Boston, but I do think we can be in the 5,000-runner range, with the variety of visual parts of the course. The majority of the entrants are looking for an experience and a view.

"Why has Big Sur (Big Sur International Marathon in California) gotten so popular? It's not because of the crowds of people. To me, the beauty of the course is one thing, but also it's the variety."

Lauber's wife designed the race logo, a running starfish, and Florida Gulf Beach Marathon finishers will receive gold-colored, starfish-shaped medals, along with other race memorabilia.

Lauber said he's also betting on Florida's desirable winter weather to help ensure a good turnout for the race. The area's average January temperature is a high of 70 degrees and a low of 49 degrees.

"Florida in January," Lauber said with a smile and chuckle. "Florida in January. ..."

For race information, contact Chris Lauber, race director, Florida Gulf Beaches Marathon, 6967 Sunset Drive South, South Pasadena, FL 33707; or call 727-347-4440; fax 727-343-4804; e-mail: info@FloridaMarathon.com