Guide to the 2017 Donna Marathon Weekend

Five separate races among events planned

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The only marathon in the United States dedicated to breast cancer research is welcoming runners and spectators to Jacksonville for the tenth consecutive year beginning on Friday.

Since its inception in 2008, Donna Marathon Weekend has raised more than $5 million in funding for The Donna Foundation. Donations support breast cancer research at Mayo Clinic and provide financial assistance to those living with breast cancer.

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With a decade including nearly 100,000 runners from all 50 states and more than 20 countries, the marathon is more than just a local event. The 10th anniversary year will bring back event favorites, but will also introduce new events, such as the Booby Trap Challenge and Treasured Chest Challenge. Here is a full guide for events open to the public from Friday through Sunday, plus a bonus rescheduled event on Feb. 20.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10th

Social Shakeout Run

Founder Donna Deegan, Olympian Joan Benoit-Samuelson and Olympian and Training Director Jeff Galloway will be participating in this free three-mile run/walk with Donna Special Guests and Ambassadors.

WHEN: 8 a.m.
WHERE: Southern Grounds, The Courtyard at 200 First St., Neptune Beach

Donna Expo presented by SMG
Spend the day visiting exhibitors featuring apparel, fitness gear, interactive displays and samples. Registration for the 26.2 with Donna Marathon, half marathon, team relay, 10K, 5K and Family Fun Run will be available. This event is free with complimentary parking included.

WHEN: Noon-7 p.m.
WHERE: Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water St., Jacksonville

SATURDAY, FEB. 11

(NEW) Anniversary Donna 10K presented by Pfizer

To commemorate 10 Years Closer to the Finish, Donna introduces the Anniversary Donna 10K to raise awareness for metastatic breast cancer. This new race will also provide 10K signature race medals for all finishers.

WHEN:

  • 6:30 a.m. – Registration and packet pickup opens. Registration is available onsite.
  • 7:30 a.m. – Warm up with Retro Fitness, official Donna personal trainers
  • 8:00 a.m. – 10K start

WHERE: Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville

Donna 5K and Family Fun Run presented by Jaguars Foundation

5K participants earn a signature Running Ribbon medal and experience Downtown Jacksonville with a warm-up race along the St. Johns River. Bring the family for the fun run with Jaxson de Ville of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kids under 10 run FREE in the Family Fun Run.

WHEN:

  • 6:30 a.m. – Registration and packet pickup opens. Registration is available onsite.
  • 9:40 a.m. – Warm up with Retro Fitness, official Donna personal trainers
  • 10 a.m. – 5K Start
  • 11 a.m. –Family Fun Run Start

WHERE: Prime F Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville

Donna Expo presented by SMG

Spend the day visiting exhibitors featuring apparel, fitness gear, interactive displays and samples. Registration for the 26.2 with Donna Marathon, half marathon and team relay will be available on site. This event is free with complimentary parking included.

WHEN: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

WHERE: Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water St., Jacksonville

Donna 110 Ultra Marathon

Athletes will cover 110 miles to finish breast cancer through the night in Atlantic Beach from the Ultra Base Camp located in Bull Memorial Park.  Donna Curb Crews are invited all night to cheer these participants to the finish line.

WHEN: 7:30 a.m.

WHERE: THE PLAYERS Championship off of ATP Tour Blvd in front of The UPS Store, Ponte Vedra Beach

SUNDAY, FEB. 12

26.2 with Donna Marathon, Donna Half Marathon presented by McDonald’s, Team Relay presented by randrr

The main event of the Donna Marathon Weekend twists through Jacksonville’s four beach communities. In 2016, the Boston Marathon qualifier welcomed more than 10,000 runners from all 50 states and more than 10 countries. The marathon, half marathon and team relay will all begin at the Celgene Start Line. Participants should be aware that events occurring at the Celgene Finish Line or Runner’s Village at Mayo Clinic will have limited parking. 

WHEN:

  • 4 a.m. – Parking Opens
  • 5 a.m. – Runner’s Village Opens
  • 7:30 a.m. – Start

WHERE: Celgene Start Line, THE PLAYERS Parking Lot off ATP Tour Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach; Celgene Finish Line, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville

Post-Race Party

Meet and celebrate with family and friends at the Donna Post Race Party.  Check runners’ progress in the RaceJoy Tent presented by SpectraShield while sampling Mellow Mushroom, Uptown Kitchen, Burrito Gallery and McDonald’s. Stop by the Jet Blue Snack Tent for a chance to win travel prizes and enjoy free pancakes, sausage and hot dogs from Sawyer Gas. Celebrate the finish and toast your runner in the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden.

WHEN: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

WHERE: Runner’s Village at Mayo Clinic

Half Marathon Awards Ceremony

WHEN: 10 a.m.

WHERE: Runners’ Village at Mayo Clinic

Marathon Awards Ceremony

WHEN: Noon

WHERE: Runners’ Village at Mayo Clinic

TacoLU Donna After Party

Runners can wear their Donna Medals to TacoLU after the race for a complimentary beer or glass of champagne to toast their finish.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: TacoLU, 1712 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach


Sawgrass Marriott First-Class Donna After Party

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Donna Marathon Weekend, relax with an evening of arts and culture at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa.  This event will feature live painting and finished works by Icelandic artist Gudrun Newman, courtesy of Wall Street Fine Art, a leading-edge art dealer and management firm. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres; celebrate achievements and cap off the evening with a fireside cocktail on the resort’s Cascades Deck.  Ten percent of food and beverage proceeds will be donated to The Donna Foundation. MUST have RSVP'ed by Feb 5.

WHEN: 6-8 p.m.
WHERE: Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 1000 PGA TOUR Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach


MONDAY, FEB. 20

Tacos for TaTas: Pink Tie Edition
This event features food and beverages from TacoLU, HOBNOB and Alley Cakes, music by The Chris Thomas Band, and lessons of tango, salsa and more from Monarch Ballroom and Dance Studio. Tickets are $100 per person and all proceeds go to The Donna Foundation. Tickets can be purchased at https://904tix.com/events/tacos-for-tatas. This event was rescheduled from October due to Hurricane Matthew.

WHEN: 6-9 p.m.

WHERE: HOBNOB, 220 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville


TIPS FOR VIEWING

Road Closures

As the race takes place on urban roads at the beach, drivers headed to the beach to run, volunteer or view the race should be aware of road closures taking place on Sunday, Feb. 12. Significant road closures include:

  • J. Turner Butler Blvd. closed eastbound at Hodges Blvd. starting at 6:30 a.m.
  • A1A northbound at ATP Tour Blvd. closed to Corona Road starting at 7:30 a.m. until approx. 8:30 a.m.
  • A1A southbound at ATP Tour Blvd. closed at 7:30 a.m. until approx. 8 a.m.
  • Ponte Vedra Blvd. from Corona to 37th Ave. South, closed at 7:30 a.m. until approx. 9:30 a.m.


6.2 with Donna Cheer Zones

While runners can be viewed along most of the 26.2-mile course, the following locations are optimal viewing areas for the 26.2 Curb Crew to cheer on the runners with bands, DJs and a festive atmosphere:

  • PVPV/Rawlings Elementary (A1A/Corona), Ponte Vedra Beach
    • Between Miles 1 and 2 for both the Full and Half Marathon; 7:30 a.m.-8 a.m.
  • Jacksonville Beach Sea Walk Pavilion
    • Between Miles 7 and 8 for the Full Marathon; 8 a.m.-9:45 a.m.
  • 2nd Street & 1st Avenue South, Jacksonville Beach
    • Mile 7 for the Half Marathon. Mile 20 for the Full Marathon; 8 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
  • Beaches Town Center, Neptune/Atlantic Beach
    • Near Miles 9 and 17 for the Full Marathon; 8:15 a.m.-noon
  • Bull Memorial Park, Atlantic Beach
    • Near Miles 10 and 16 for the Full Marathon; 8:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
  • Celgene Finish Line at Mayo Clinic
    • 8:40 a.m-2:30 p.m.


JTA Beaches Trolley Available for 26.2 with Donna

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) will provide spectator transportation via the Beaches Trolley for the 26.2 with Donna on Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Download the MyJTA app to purchase a $4 unlimited-ride, single-day pass on your mobile phone. Three trolleys will operate on a 20-minute frequency on Third Street between South Beach Regional Shopping Center on the south end and Atlantic Boulevard on the north end. Trips are $1.50 each way or $4 for a one-day, unlimited ride pass. One-day passes may also be purchased at Walgreens beach locations as well as via the MyJTA app.

See the Finish Shuttle

While there is no spectator parking at Mayo Clinic, viewers who would like to “See the Finish,” can do so via complimentary bus transportation provided from the race start at 8 a.m. Continuous bus service from Mayo Clinic back to the race start will be provided from W.M. Davis Parkway.


For more information on the Donna Marathon Weekend, visit www.breastcancermarathon.com.