DONNA Marathon Weekend returns this February. This year’s theme, Destination: Hope, reinforces DONNA Marathon Weekend as a destination race that appeals to both local and international runners, while envisioning a future defined by something brighter than any one place or race –– a future where love always wins out over …
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DONNA Marathon Weekend returns this February. This year’s theme, Destination: Hope, reinforces DONNA Marathon Weekend as a destination race that appeals to both local and international runners, while envisioning a future defined by something brighter than any one place or race –– a future where love always wins out over fear. It celebrates the progress and resilience required to reach the finish line we all believe is possible: a world without breast cancer.
DONNA Marathon Weekend will include a 5K, DONNA Dash, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultramarathon, Event Challenges, and Health & Wellness Expo that will again fill the City of Jacksonville and the Beaches of Northeast Florida with thousands of runners from all 50 states and many countries.
26.2 with DONNA The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer is the only marathon in the US dedicated to breast cancer research and care and benefits The DONNA Foundation. Participants enjoy a flat, fast Boston-Qualifying marathon course that takes them through the beautiful beach communities of Jacksonville with scenic views and an outpouring of crowd support. There’s a reason this event has been recognized by CNN Travel as one of the “Seven Marathons Worth the Trip” and “Favorite Charity Race” from the readers of Women’s Running Magazine.
The DONNA Marathon has also been selected by the Abbott World Marathon Majors as a qualifying race for the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Ranking program. Through this distinction, participants in the DONNA Marathon can compete to earn ranking points to be invited to the AbottWMM Wanda Age Group Championships.
DONNA Marathon Weekend is an official event of The DONNA Foundation. The DONNA Foundation, a private non-profit organization in Northeast Florida, provides financial assistance and support nationwide to those living with breast cancer and funds groundbreaking research to finish the disease once and for all. To date, the DONNA Foundation has served more than 19,000 families, securing more than $500,000 in financial services and debt relief each year. The organization has also disbursed more than $3.3 million in support of translational genomics and immune studies. The organization also operates events and programs for survivorship, education and awareness.
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Great race for great cause!
If you're running the full or half marathon, you have to pick up your race packet at the expo the day prior. If you're traveling, the expo is only open … MORE
If you’re running the full or half marathon, you have to pick up your race packet at the expo the day prior. If you’re traveling, the expo is only open from 10-2. Most of the course is through the neighborhoods and the crowd support was really nice. The course is right off the beach and the after party was really nice!
Not for back of the packers
Overall this was a good race, but double loops are boring. Solid race support on course. Expo was lack-luster, minimal race weekend merch. Aid stations all had gaterade, water, and … MORE
Overall this was a good race, but double loops are boring. Solid race support on course. Expo was lack-luster, minimal race weekend merch. Aid stations all had gaterade, water, and gels, some had solid food like oranges and bananas too. Plenty of local folks came out for the first few hours with their own “aid” stations. However, this marathon is not for back of the packers. Once we got to the second loop, most of the locals had left or gone back inside. We managed to stay ahead of the last pace group until we hit mile 26, and finished just behind them. However, after we finished, everything in the “runner’s village” was shut down including food, which sucked to see they didn’t even support their own last pace group. Aid stations were still open when we passed them on course thankfully, but were almost done breaking down.
Consistent Regional Marathon
I run the Donna Marathon every year because it is a easy are for me to run relative to where I live. I do the Galloway run/walk and one of … MORE
I run the Donna Marathon every year because it is a easy are for me to run relative to where I live. I do the Galloway run/walk and one of my favorite things about this race is that they have pacers who use the run/walk method.
Great weather!
This race was a great time of year in Florida. Coming from colder climates it was a nice break, and was even a bit warm. Very flat course with lots … MORE
This race was a great time of year in Florida. Coming from colder climates it was a nice break, and was even a bit warm. Very flat course with lots of turns. Shady for the most part.
The most challenging aspect was the run-walk pace groups. I’m all for run-walk if that’s your jam, but the pace group would take up the entire road and then stop right in front of you. Same for other running groups doing run-walk.
Course is getting better...
I have run the Donna Marathon 8 times...the race is a solid regional race and the Donna team works hard to make it special. The route changes just about every … MORE
I have run the Donna Marathon 8 times…the race is a solid regional race and the Donna team works hard to make it special. The route changes just about every year, but the race officials seem to make it better each year. It is always in Jax Beach– but it used to also be in Ponte Vedra. It is a Jeff Gallaway race, so there is interval runners– which is helpful to me!
Very noce
Nice flat course, perfect temperature, the other runners were great and a lot of fun. The neighborhoods did a fantastic job decorating their street for it.... a lot of fun. MORE
Nice flat course, perfect temperature, the other runners were great and a lot of fun. The neighborhoods did a fantastic job decorating their street for it…. a lot of fun.
Thought i was going to see some beach
This race while it is for a good cause was not a favorite. I thought there would be some running along the beach but the only water I saw was … MORE
This race while it is for a good cause was not a favorite. I thought there would be some running along the beach but the only water I saw was in between 2 houses. Water stops were ok but they didn’t have Gatorade at every stop. Also some stops had water on one side and Gatorade on the other which lead to crossing over in front of people. Crowd cheering was good
Good Regional Race
The Donna Marathon is not a destination marathon-- like NYC or Big Sur, but it is a good solid regional race with good support and a course that continues to … MORE
The Donna Marathon is not a destination marathon– like NYC or Big Sur, but it is a good solid regional race with good support and a course that continues to be refined to make it better. It is a race that I run most years as it is close to my house and the weather is typically nice.
Beautiful Beach Communities
The 26.2 with Donna, as the race is more informally called is a fast flat course running through 3 beach communities (Ponte Vedra, Atlantic, and Neptune Beach). The communities really … MORE
The 26.2 with Donna, as the race is more informally called is a fast flat course running through 3 beach communities (Ponte Vedra, Atlantic, and Neptune Beach). The communities really come together to make this such a fun race experience, with spectators cheering you all the way to the finish line. Some people even decorate their homes and lawns specially for the event, which gives us runners something cool to look at as we run by. The race is well organized and has plenty of aid stations, water stations, and Porto-potties at every mile. If you are looking to make a PR this is a great course to attempt it on; the course is pretty flat and the weather is usually cool(sometimes windy with a sea breeze) since the race is held in the beginning of February along the beach. Once crossing the finish line they’ll hand you a “beachy” themed medal which is always my favorite part of racing…getting the bling!! Some of my favorite medals I’ve ever received were given to me after running the 26.2 with Donna races! It’s a beautiful course with a special cause to help cure breast cancer through medical research and a wonderful experience if you choose to run it, which I hope some of you do! You won’t regret it!
Keeps Getting Better.
I have run the Donna Marathon at least a half a dozen times and the race organizers keep getting better at the course. There use to be a beach run … MORE
I have run the Donna Marathon at least a half a dozen times and the race organizers keep getting better at the course. There use to be a beach run and bridge at the end, but those challenges are gone! My favorite part of the run is that at some point you run by Beaches Chapel and they have volunteers out there serving Communion.
A good local Marathon
The Donna Marathon is close to home as I live in North Florida. It is not a destination marathon, but if you live near North Florida, and want to run … MORE
The Donna Marathon is close to home as I live in North Florida. It is not a destination marathon, but if you live near North Florida, and want to run a race that is good– you should run this one. Over the years they have made the route better. I have run this race about 6 times and I would say it gets better every year.
Bridge at the end...
The Donna is such a fun race and mostly flat, but at the end of the race back in 2014 you ended with a bridge that is completely exposed to … MORE
The Donna is such a fun race and mostly flat, but at the end of the race back in 2014 you ended with a bridge that is completely exposed to the sun and very hard to do. It was discouraging to see my time get so much worse due to my inability to keep up the pace at the end. Fortunately, they have rewritten the course and in the early 2020’s this was no longer the case.
Bridge at the end was tough
It was a cold February day in FL to run this race. I ran fast and was on pace to break 4 hours, but at the end of this race … MORE
It was a cold February day in FL to run this race. I ran fast and was on pace to break 4 hours, but at the end of this race there was a huge bridge you had to cross. The race officials have since taken it out, but it really slowed me down at the end.
The bridge at the end was tough
The Donna Marathon used to end at the Mayo Clinic which required you running over a large bridge at the end of the marathon. There used to also be a … MORE
The Donna Marathon used to end at the Mayo Clinic which required you running over a large bridge at the end of the marathon. There used to also be a beach run. This was always hard and made the race tough. They have since gotten rid of this and the race is faster and much more enjoyable.