Ameris Bank is proud to carry on the tradition of the Jacksonville Marathon, the oldest marathon in Jacksonville, Florida and one of the fastest courses in the U.S. This race celebrates the beauty of Jacksonville on a course featuring plentiful shade and flat terrain. Whether you’re an experienced competitor, or …
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Ameris Bank is proud to carry on the tradition of the Jacksonville Marathon, the oldest marathon in Jacksonville, Florida and one of the fastest courses in the U.S. This race celebrates the beauty of Jacksonville on a course featuring plentiful shade and flat terrain. Whether you’re an experienced competitor, or a first-timer, we invite you to see Jacksonville through the eyes of the Ameris Bank Jacksonville Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K.
This Jacksonville Marathon and 1/2 Marathon courses are USA Track and Field certified, flat, fast, and very scenic with 85% shade. There are no hills, bridges, or overpasses. The course starts at Bolles School on San Jose Blvd. heads north and then back south passing the starting line at the 5K point. The course then runs out and back into the historic and very scenic Mandarin area. You can qualify for the Boston Marathon for the next two years if spaces are still available.
- Marathon Certification Number- FL21041JK
- 1/2 Marathon Certification Number- FL21042JK
Funds go to support high school cross country and track programs in Duval county and the summer camp scholarship program. Funding is also provided to constructing new running trails in the Jacksonville area.
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No thrills, just flat and fast
Easy, flat, wide and fast course. Start and finish (sort of) in the same place (Bolles School). Plenty of port-a-potties at start line and real bathrooms inside the school's gym. … MORE
Easy, flat, wide and fast course. Start and finish (sort of) in the same place (Bolles School). Plenty of port-a-potties at start line and real bathrooms inside the school’s gym. Small to medium size race with <3000 runners total (most on 5k). 5k, half and full marathons start together, but then the crowd thins considerably after passing the 5k finish line. However, because it starts in a wide avenue, you don't feel crowded but for a short area after 1st mile. Plenty of hydration stations w water and Gatorade (about every 2 miles/3 km). I think there are a couple of stations with gel, but I don't remember since I bring my own. The half and full runners split after mile 8. The course is not exactly (nature) scenic, but you run through nice, local neighborhoods with scattered but enthusiastic local cheers.
No expo, but pick packages at local running store (they have whatever you may need for running day) or on race day (you better be there early though). No nearby hotels, but the official race hotel will bus guests to start and back. On the other hand, share rides (Uber, Lyft, etc) are easy to get in Jacksonville, and they can drop you off very close to the start line. Their swag is one of the best of the >100 races I’ve done. For the half and full runners, they have a long sleeve half zip tech shirt.
I’m a middle of the pack runner. I consistently beat my average half marathon time in this race. Did I say this is a flat race? There is absolutely nothing in this course that can be confused with a hill. To top it, weather in North Florida this time of the year is usually perfect for running (upper 40s to mid 50s F, low 10sC). I’ve done it several times and keep coming back to it.
Love the staging area!
Flat course, pretty houses to look at and nice neighborhoods to run through, and a GREAT pre-race staging area where you can wait inside a gym if it is raining … MORE
Flat course, pretty houses to look at and nice neighborhoods to run through, and a GREAT pre-race staging area where you can wait inside a gym if it is raining or cold, and there are REAL bathrooms you can use!
26.2
It’s was a good flat race, well organized. Plenty of water and Gatorade with the weather being warm. The finish line was cool with finishing on a track. MORE
It’s was a good flat race, well organized. Plenty of water and Gatorade with the weather being warm. The finish line was cool with finishing on a track.
Fast, Flat, Course
The Jacksonville Marathon is a welcomed run that covers the same basic course as the Thanksgiving half marathon that runs from roughly the same place. This course has pacers that … MORE
The Jacksonville Marathon is a welcomed run that covers the same basic course as the Thanksgiving half marathon that runs from roughly the same place. This course has pacers that follow the Galloway Method (run/ walk).
Well run event in a great location
Well run race on a relatively easy course. I disagree with the advertisement that it is "pancake" flat as there are a few rises and falls; nothing I'd call hills. … MORE
Well run race on a relatively easy course. I disagree with the advertisement that it is “pancake” flat as there are a few rises and falls; nothing I’d call hills. Plenty of aid stations with water and powerade/gatorade but no nutrition, so be prepared to carry your own gels.
Great signage so it was easy to stay on course, even going through multiple neighborhoods. Easy to see where the 1/2 marathon branched off. Although the 5k, 1/2 and full all start together, the streets at the start are wide enough to accommodate everyone easily. Neighborhood streets were open to traffic both directions in the later stages of my run (4H30M pace) which I felt was inappropriate. It may have been “local” traffic, but when there are vehicles behind you trying to pass, it can be distracting.
The start and finish areas are staged at The Bolles School which allows for a lot of parking and restroom facilities. Food and drink at the finish were limited to bananas and water but the volunteers were friendly and helpful.
A well supported, flat course!
If you are looking for a smaller, locally supported race (not to mention flat and fast!), this one is for you! I was able to grab my best marathon time … MORE
If you are looking for a smaller, locally supported race (not to mention flat and fast!), this one is for you! I was able to grab my best marathon time so far!
Consistent, flat, fun marathon.
I have run this race a bunch of times--- and it is a good race... weather is usually cool, it is always a flat course, parking is easy, and from … MORE
I have run this race a bunch of times— and it is a good race… weather is usually cool, it is always a flat course, parking is easy, and from the perspective of my wife– it is not disruptive to life as it is a local race. The timing of the race is also good as it is far enough away from the NYC Marathon and the Disney Marathon.
A run through the country
This race is flat and would make a good PR course. However, as a northerner, this is not the "Florida" that I imagined. None of the course goes through the … MORE
This race is flat and would make a good PR course. However, as a northerner, this is not the “Florida” that I imagined. None of the course goes through the city of Jacksonville or near the water. It’s all residential. It was also really humid, which made for a very difficult race.
Flat, nice course
The Jacksonville Marathon is a steady race that is predictable. The weather always seems to be cool and the course is easy and flat. Much of the course is shaded … MORE
The Jacksonville Marathon is a steady race that is predictable. The weather always seems to be cool and the course is easy and flat. Much of the course is shaded and I always feel good after running this race.
Love this race for Winter Break!
For more details about race shirts, finisher medals, post-race party, accommodations, places to eat, and photos of it all visit, https://www.serialrunner.com/half-marathon-race-recaps/jacksonville-bank-half-marathon. MORE
For more details about race shirts, finisher medals, post-race party, accommodations, places to eat, and photos of it all visit, https://www.serialrunner.com/half-marathon-race-recaps/jacksonville-bank-half-marathon.