DONNA Marathon
Jacksonville Beach, United States · February · Independent
Why people love it
- Flat, fast course at sea level for PR attempts.
- Neighbourhood parties and cheering locals on the route.
- Run/walk pace groups and a 7 hour cutoff.
- Roads closed to all traffic with police at cross streets.
- Charity weekend with a survivor celebration at the finish.
Watch out for
- Double loop repeats the same 21 km (13 mi) twice.
- Merge with half marathoners near mile 14 (23 km).
- Weather swings: -5 °C (23 °F) in 2026, 29 °C (84 °F) in 2025.
- Expo and packet pickup are far from the start.
- Post-race food ran short and the runner village closed early in some years.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.8
RaceRaves 3.9 from 26 runners. Fans like the cause, neighbourhoods and flat course; the double loop is dull and thin on spectators. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.9
RaceRaves production 4.0. Police and volunteers praised, but the expo is far away, 2026 shuttle lines were long and the runner village closed early. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.0
A 7 hour cutoff, flat course, run/walk pace groups and a welcome for walkers suit first-timers. The double loop can feel repetitive. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast4.1
Flat and fast, and runners confirm it. A Boston qualifier, though a late start brings heat and the mile 14 merge slows runners. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryPleasant3.4
RaceRaves scenery 3.5 out of 5: decorated neighbourhoods in Jacksonville, Neptune and Atlantic Beaches. Reviewers saw little water, and the second loop repeats the first. · Medium confidence
- Room to runSome pinch points3.0
Marathoners rejoin the course near mile 14 (23 km) among half marathoners and run/walk groups, who block the road in places. · Medium confidence
- Road surfaceGood3.8
Paved city streets per RaceRaves; no surface complaints. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed4.3
Local news: the route is closed to all traffic and on-street parking, with police at every cross street per a 2025 runner. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessPancake flat4.8
Reviewers repeat that it is flat; coastal Jacksonville Beach has no hills. No gain figure published. · Medium confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Two loops from and to Seawalk Pavilion; no net drop. Listed as Boston qualifying. · Medium confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSome waiting3.4
Start and finish at Seawalk Pavilion at 7:30 a.m. Runners cite far-off packet pickup, long shuttle lines and a runner village that closed early. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingGood4.2
Pace groups for diverse paces including Galloway run/walk pacers, praised by two reviewers. · Medium confidence
- Crowd supportStrong3.7
Neighbourhoods throw parties and cheer in the cold; a 2023 marathoner says locals thin out on the second loop. Charity survivor celebration at the finish. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.1
Aid every 3.2 km (2 mi) per a 2024 runner and plenty in 2026. A 2019 runner found water inconsistent; after-party food was sparse. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindMostly calm3.5
Coastal neighbourhoods; no wind complaints in reviews. · Low confidence
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.3
Early February: 2026 started near -5 °C (23 °F), while 2025 reached 29 °C (84 °F). A late start meant heat for slower runners. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.6
The same date swung from -5 °C (23 °F) in 2026 to a high of 29 °C (84 °F) in 2025. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.7
Loop course revisits the start area; neighbourhood party spots reported. Details thin. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Beach city at about 3 m (10 ft) above sea level. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.0
Beach resort town with many hotels; Seawalk Pavilion area is close to beach lodging. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.6
February is off-peak in Florida; prices not quoted by runners. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.6
Start at Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach, walkable from beach hotels; free event parking elsewhere requires shuttles. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy3.7
Jacksonville International (JAX) about 35 km (22 mi) from the beach; driving needed. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.2
Expo and packet pickup are far from the course; shuttles lined up in 2026. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Beach town with bars and restaurants; a 2026 race side event ends at Pete's Bar. · Low confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inOpen entry4.5
Open entry with about 860 marathon finishers (2025); rarely sells out. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyGood value3.6
RaceRaves swag 3.8. Runners like the medal, one disliked the shirt, and a 2019 reviewer found swag weak. Fees support breast cancer charity. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Jacksonville Beach, Duval County, United States
- Typical month
- February
- Latest or next date
- 7 February 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 860 athletes
- First held
- 2008
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- laps
- Start time
- 07:30
- Cutoff
- 7 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Paved city streets
- How to get in
- open
- Air temperature
- -5–17 °C (23–63 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate coastal
- Altitude
- 3 m (10 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Jacksonville International (JAX), 35 km (22 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach
- Booking
- Beach lodging near the Seawalk Pavilion; book early for race weekend.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRaves (DONNA Marathon Weekend)Raced 2025 · aggregator · mixed-positive
Rated 3.9 of 5 from 26 runners, 2019 to 2026. Runners agree on flat course, neighbourhood crowds, friendly volunteers and a meaningful cause. Marathoners dislike repeating the same loop, note thin second-loop support and congestion at the mile 14 merge; the expo and packet pickup are far away.
“running the same loop twice just isn't the most inspiring way”
- Jacksonville Today, 2026 race previewRaced 2026 · article · neutral
Route runs through Jacksonville, Neptune and Atlantic Beaches from Seawalk Pavilion; roads closed to all traffic and parking, 7:30 start, thousands of runners in bitter cold.
Raced DONNA Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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