Run Jekyll Island Marathon
Jekyll Island, United States · January · Independent
Latest edition: Now branded Run Jekyll (formerly the Jekyll Island Marathon), organised by Q Running Co. First held January 14, 2018. 2022 edition cancelled for wind and storms. Next: marathon Sunday 2027-01-17.
Why people love it
- Flat: 74 m (245 ft) of gain, certified Boston qualifier.
- Live oaks, salt marsh, Driftwood Beach and the historic district.
- RaceRaves rates it 4.1 from 22 runners, with scenery 4.5.
- Aid with water, Gatorade and gels every few miles per 2026 runners.
Watch out for
- Short sand section at Driftwood Beach and cambered roads.
- Cold rain in 2026; 2022 cancelled and 2025 delayed by storms.
- Few spectators; thin swag, finish food and toilets in several reviews.
- Several runners measured the 2023 course about 0.6 km (0.4 mi) long.
- Race is now branded Run Jekyll; no race-day registration.
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 4.1 from 22 runners. They love the island and flat course but note a flat start and finish, thin swag and food. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.3
Mixed. One runner found a responsive director; others cite too few toilets, gels running out, sparse markers and a course 0.6 km (0.4 mi) long. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.9
Flat, uncrowded, 7-hour limit, easy to get around; a 2023 10K reviewer called it good for first-timers. Small field feels lonely and thin support. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast4.0
Flat and certified, with 3.4% to 14.1% of finishers running Boston times. A sandy beach section, wind and cambered roads cost time. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryBeautiful4.4
RaceRaves scenery 4.5. Live oaks, salt marsh, beaches, Driftwood Beach and the Jekyll Island Club historic district. · Medium confidence
- Room to runRoomy3.6
Small field (303 finishers in 2026). Loop around the island; reviewers report uncrowded running and sparse course markers. · Low confidence
- Road surfaceMixed3.4
Mostly paved road and bike path, with a short sand section at Driftwood Beach and cambered roads that tire legs. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.2
Island roads and shared bike path; one 10K runner noted difficult parking and a spectator-friendly route. Closure details not confirmed. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessPancake flat4.8
Gain 74 m (245 ft), loss 74 m (244 ft) per FindMyMarathon; reviewers call it truly flat. · High confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Loop with equal gain and loss; BQ eligible. · High confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSome waiting3.2
Start near the host hotel, with pickup at the Club Resort and no race-day registration. Reviewers note hard parking and long toilet waits. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingSome pace groups2.9
A 2024 reviewer found too few timing mats and weak signage; pace groups not confirmed. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportDecent2.5
Small field and island setting; reviewers describe a lonely course and a lackluster start and finish with no music. One 2025 runner called it spectator-friendly. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.2
2026 half runners report water, Gatorade and gels every few miles; marathoners in 2020 and 2023 saw thin stations, gels running out and few toilets. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind2.9
Reviewers in 2019 and 2020 mention windy conditions; history lists average 14 mph (23 km/h) wind. · Medium confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant3.8
Start about 8 °C (46 °F), race-day averages 5 to 15 °C (42 to 60 °F). Cold rain in 2026; mild other years. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
2022 edition cancelled for wind and storms, 2025 start delayed by heavy rain, 2026 cold soaking rain. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.3
Loop around a small island with easy access; one 2025 marathoner said it was spectator friendly. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Max elevation 7 m (25 ft), coastal island. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.6
Room blocks at the Jekyll Island Club and Jekyll Ocean Club; a Westin sits at the start. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.3
Resort hotels on a state-park island, plus a park entry fee. No price evidence found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.4
Hotels cluster near the start and the Club Resort pickup. No formal shuttle is documented. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.2
The island is about an hour from Jacksonville airport; the distance was not verified. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.4
Packet pickup at the Club Resort Fri and Sat plus race morning; expo is bib pickup only. State park fee to enter the island. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodFine3.0
A 2024 reviewer found it difficult to find tasty food on the island; historic district and beach are the draw. · Medium 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 inEasy4.0
Open entry via RunSignup until the cap or January 16; no race-day registration. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyFair3.1
Marathon fee is $160 for 2027, plus a state park fee. Long-sleeve shirt, medal and foil blanket; swag and finish food described as basic. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Jekyll Island, Glynn County, United States
- Typical month
- January
- Latest or next date
- 17 January 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 300 athletes
- First held
- 2018
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- loop
- Climbing
- 74 m (245 ft)
- Descent
- 74 m (245 ft)
- Start time
- 07:30
- Cutoff
- 7 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Paved road and bike path with a short sand section at Driftwood Beach
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Rarely
- Entry fee
- About $160
- Air temperature
- 4–15 °C (39–59 °F)
- Humidity
- Coastal; about 64 to 87% at start
- Altitude
- 2 m (7 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Jacksonville International (JAX)
- Where to stay
- Jekyll Island Historic District, Near the Westin
- Booking
- Room blocks at Jekyll Island Club and Jekyll Ocean Club for Jan 15 to 18, 2027; Westin host hotel near the start.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
22 ratings, 4.1 overall; difficulty 1.9, scenery 4.5, production 3.8, swag 3.3. Runners agree on a flat scenic loop and decent aid, with letdowns in start and finish atmosphere, porta-potties, gels running out, thin swag and food, and rain in 2026.
- FindMyMarathonRaced 2024 · aggregator · Positive
One 2024 review at 4.0: mild weather, scenic route, flat and fast; complains of weak signage, too few timing mats, a lonely feel and a bib-pickup-only expo. Tips: cambered roads, a sandy beach section.
- Fernandina Observer (First Step on Amelia Island)Raced 2018 · article · neutral
Club account of the inaugural race on 14 January 2018: very cold and windy, with the course circling the island.
- Sunrise Run Co.Raced 2026 · article · neutral
Race listing that calls the course flat and fast and a Boston qualifier. No runner comments.
Raced Run Jekyll Island 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.
Training for Run Jekyll Island Marathon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.