Overall Rating
Overall Rating (14 Reviews)
3.5
(14 Ratings)  (14 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
2.9
SCENERY
3.4
PRODUCTION
3.7
SWAG
3.6
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 … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Feb 03):
  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
 
H (°F)  71  76  56  71  61
L (°F)  53  61  37  46  56
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Recent reviews

    Profile photo of Mary Jo Boyles
    mjboyles FIRST-TIMER '23

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    5

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    sftblleco13 FIRST-TIMER '23

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    Vendsweet REPEAT RUNNER '22

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

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    erobin3383 FIRST-TIMER '20

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    4

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    Vendsweet REPEAT RUNNER '20

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    bayna6 FIRST-TIMER '19

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    Profile photo of Karyn Brewer
    karynbear4 FIRST-TIMER '19

    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

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    2
    SWAG
    1

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    Vendsweet REPEAT RUNNER '19

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    jaxrunningirl REPEAT RUNNER '18

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    Vendsweet REPEAT RUNNER '18

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    Vendsweet REPEAT RUNNER '17

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    Vendsweet REPEAT RUNNER '14

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    Vendsweet REPEAT RUNNER '13

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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    Vendsweet FIRST-TIMER '12

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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