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Jacksonville Marathon

Jacksonville, FL
Saturday, December 12, 2026


  4.5 Stars from 6 Reviews
Top 50 Best Boston Qualifying Marathon for 2026

Course Description
The Jacksonville Marathon course is flat, fast, and very scenic with lots of shade. There are no hills, bridges, or overpasses. The course starts at Bolles School on San Jose Blvd. and heads south to Mandarin, does a loop and heads back along the St. Johns River back to Bolles.

December Other Marathons in December Other Marathons in Florida Marathons near Jacksonville, FL



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Saturday, December 12, 2026
2025: Saturday, December 13, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Very Flat
Type: Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 53°F (11°C)
Average High: 61°F (16°C)
Average Low: 44° F (6°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.54
Course Score: 99.54

Race Size

2025: 703 Finishers
2024: 625 Finishers
2023: 553 Finishers
2022: 418 Finishers
2021: 298 Finishers
2020: 462 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2025: 14.4%
2024: 11.4%
2023: 9.4%
2022: 17.7%
2021: 17.5%
2020: 20.6%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 17 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 69°F  (21°C)
Low: 54°F  (12°C)

Race Start Conditions

57°F  (14°C)
Humidity: 88%

Overcast
S 7 mph

PR Score

96.91

Course Score

99.75






Jacksonville Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Jacksonville Marathon was the 115th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 114th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 14.4% of Jacksonville Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 11.4% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Jacksonville Marathon ranked 75th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 138th in 2024. In Florida, it ranked 2nd in 2025 and 2nd in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Jacksonville Marathon has a Course Score of 99.54, ranking it as the 99th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 6th fastest marathon course in Florida.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Jacksonville Marathon a PR Score of 99.54. The PR Score ranks the Jacksonville Marathon as the 67th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in Florida.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Jacksonville Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Florida for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Jacksonville Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed99th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 6th fastest marathon course in Florida
Top 22% Nationally#6 of 17 in Florida
PR Potential67th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in Florida
Top 15% Nationally#1 of 17 in Florida
Boston Qualifier Rate75th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd highest BQ percentage in Florida
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 16% Nationally#2 of 18 in Florida
Race Size115th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 5th largest marathon in Florida
Based on 2025 results
Top 20% Nationally#5 of 18 in Florida

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 29 feet (8m)
Min Elevation: 5 feet (1m)

Elevation Gain: 219 feet (66m)
Elevation Loss: 220 feet (67m)


Jacksonville

Course updated 06/25/2026




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Race Reviews


4.5
Based on 6 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Flat but humid

Full Review:

Well organized race. Flat course. I'm not from Florida and did not expect high-50s at the start and incredible humidity in December. Definitely not ideal race temperature.
Reviewed by dh About 2024

Flat and fast

Full Review:

I liked it started and finished at same location.It was flat and mostly upper end residential area.Carry your own gu as no gu on course.Medal was good looking as well age group awards.After run food etc was kinda basic.2022 weather was ideal.No hotels and motels in immediate area.Advise having a vehicle.Packet pick up was packet pickup and no expo. I give it 4 stars.

Race Tips:

Go your own pace if you don't like the run walk routine.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Lots of parking around the Bolles School but still get there 45-hour ahead of time.Porta potty's lineups are long and slow.No hotels in immediate area.If out of town rent a car as that's essential in Jacksonville
Reviewed by H B About 2022

Fast, flat and beautiful

Full Review:

Its a medium sized race with no hills, bridges or anything. Its pretty flat (although elevate app shows the grade profile as hilly). I ran it yesterday (1/5/2020), and it was my second marathon. My first was MCM in October (4:44) and I wanted to improve upon that timing. Improve I did and how..my finish time at JAX was 3:54:50.

Most of the race is through shaded neighborhoods and you can expect minimum crowd support here. In fact I liked it coming from too much support at MCM. 7 am start is perfect, although it was a little cold in the morning. No expo, and I picked up my bib in the school gym on the race morning. Medal is large and pretty good, and the long sleeve tech shirt is really nice. Post party is pretty basic with some soup, bananas and bread. This year they didnt give any gels and I was fine with it as I carried my own. After the race I took a couple of pictures and rushed back to the hotel as I had to take a quick shower and head back to the airport. All in all very impressed and happy.

Race Tips:

Like many people have said previously, just maintain even splits. For most of the race I was on track for a sub 3:50 finish but the last few miles slowed me down a little bit. After mile 23 you will be running in sun with no shade. I stayed in a hotel 4 miles from the race and went and checked the start location the previous night.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Stayed at a hotel closeby and used my own transportation. Get there before 6 and you will find parking inside the school.
Reviewed by Mahipal Challuri About 2020

Full Review:

Was well organized and well staffed with a nice and flat course, but the weather was so bad (very humid with periods of hard rain) that it was hard to focus on exact details.

Race Tips:

Check with the weatherman!
Reviewed by L.B. About 2014

Great Flat, Mid-sized Race

Full Review:

This is a great mid sized race. About as flat as you can get. The weather can be a bit unpredictable and it can get humid. The 7am start and having most of the course run through shaded neighborhoods helps keep the heat down.

Race Tips:

The course is very flat - no hills at all - so it is easy to maintain consistent splits. The course winds through shaded neighborhoods except for the first and last 2-3 miles (San Jose Blvd). Last couple mile stretch on San Jose is hard because back in sun and the long, straight stretch just seems to go on forever. Last half mile is on dirt fields and then finish on a track.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Parking at Bolles or on the street is available until around 6am. Everyone seems to arrive right at 6, so get there at 5:50 and there is plenty of parking. If you plan to arrive at the start after 6am, I would suggest using one of the race shuttles. I've stayed at the Candlewood Suites which is not too far from the race start - maybe 10 minutes. It is pretty cheap.
Reviewed by Greg H About 2010

Flat and well-organized race

Full Review:

This was my first marathon so I only have one other marathon to compare it to. I thought it was well organized. There were not many people cheering for you along the course. It does primarily go through neighborhoods so you would think there would be more people out. I wish they had more bathrooms at the start. I recommend it as a first marathon. I do plan on doing it again this year.

Race Tips:

It is completely flat. My friend who has done 20 marathons told me to just do even splits and it worked well for me until about mile 22.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

We stayed at the Holiday Inn on Baymeadows. It is an okay place, but close to the start and finish line. Lots of restaurants close by.
Reviewed by Jennifer About 2010