JACKSONVILLE, Fla – The 13th annual Donna Marathon began Saturday with a variety of runs and events before the big Donna Foundation 26.2, the National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer, on Sunday.
Donna Deegan, a breast cancer survivor, began a foundation in 2009 and uses the marathons to raise money for breast cancer research and care for breast cancer patients who need financial assistance to battle the disease.
Since its inception in 2008, Donna Marathon Weekend has raised more than $6 million in funding for the foundation, moving over 12,000 families living with breast cancer from a place of fear to one of love by providing assistance and support when it is needed most.
The Donna Foundation has also disbursed more than $3.3 million of race proceeds to the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Research Program.
“Last year, we debuted a flatter, faster course that runs through Northeast Florida’s beautiful coastal communities. We look forward to welcoming back repeat runners, firsttime participants and our incredible supporters for another exciting weekend that celebrates every step we take together toward finishing breast cancer,” Deegan said.
Marathon Weekend Events
All events are open to the public, except where specified.
SATURDAY
DONNA 5K & Family Fun Run presented by AXA and Jaguars Foundation
5K participants earn our signature Running Ribbon medal and experience a reimagined 5K at the beach! DONNA ultra-marathon athletes also begin their 110 miles to finish breast cancer, featuring a start and finish line sponsored by Black Knight.
WHEN:
● 6 a.m. Registration and Bib Pickup Opens inside Athletes’ Village
● 8 a.m. 5K Start
● 9 a.m. Family Fun Run Start
WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL
DONNA 110 Ultra Marathon
Athletes will cover 110 miles to Finish Breast Cancer through the night in beautiful Atlantic Beach, Florida. DONNA Curb Crews are invited all night to cheer these participants to the finish line sponsored by Black Knight!
WHEN: 7:30 a.m.
WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL
DONNA Health & Wellness Expo presented by Venus Fashion
This event is free and open to the public with complimentary parking included. Return for Day 2 of the DONNA Health & Fitness Expo. Shop, sip and sample from nearly 100 exhibitors. So much fun you might forget to pick up your race packet! (But don’t do that.)
WHEN: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Morocco Shrine Auditorium, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Road South, Jacksonville
Mayo Clinic Advances in Breast Cancer Management 2020
This event is not open to the general public.
This course will provide an overview of the most recent advances in the management of patients with early and advanced stage breast cancer. Topics discussed will include imaging, radiation therapy, brain metastases, genomic testing, systemic therapy and survivorship. The didactic format will provide significant opportunities for interaction with the expert faculty and other attendees via interactive keypad systems, case presentations, panel discussions and open question and answer sessions.
WHEN: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
WHERE: Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach
Beaches Town Center Street Party
Beaches Town Center businesses are OPEN for business during Marathon Weekend and will open their doors for a pedestrian-friendly street party.
WHEN: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL
SUNDAY
26.2 with DONNA Marathon, DONNA Half Marathon, DONNA Half Marathon Relay presented by FIS, DONNA Booby Trap Challenge
The main event of the DONNA Marathon Weekend now starts and finishes in the heart of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach, and meanders through Jacksonville’s four beach communities. A USATF certified and Boston Marathon qualifier, expect fast times in 2020 thanks to the return of a flatter, faster course design that debuted in 2019 and features a start and finish line sponsored by Black Knight.
WHEN:
● 4 a.m. Shuttle Parking Opens at Morocco Shrine Auditorium
● 5 a.m. Athletes’ Village Opens
● 7:27 a.m. Wheelchair Start
● 7:30 a.m. Start
● 9:00 a.m. Relay Start
WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL
Post Race Party
Free and open to the public! Plan to meet and celebrate with family and friends at the DONNA Post Race Party inside Runners Village. White Claw, the official Hard Seltzer of the race, will be there, along with CORA Physical Therapy. Guests can enjoy seeing the awards given and live entertainment all day, sponsored by McKesson.
WHEN: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL
26.3 Party hosted by Jeff Galloway
Free and open to all! Celebrating all Marathon Finishers crossing the finish line after the six-hour mark, join Jeff and Barb Galloway for the DONNA 26.3 Party!
WHEN: 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL
General Information
Participant Drop-Off and Rideshare
All weekend, a designated area for drop-off/pick-up and rideshare services (Uber, Lyft, etc.) will be available at 500 Atlantic Blvd.
Bicycle Parking
All weekend, bicycle parking will be available at 500 Atlantic Blvd. Roll-up to the “Old K-mart" garden center entrance and bike racks will be available to lock up the trusted beach cruiser while you run. Please bring your own lock, as The DONNA Foundation is not responsible for any lost or stolen bikes.
Marathon Sunday Shuttles
There will be FREE parking for all participants at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium, located at 3800 St. Johns Bluff Road South, beginning at 4 a.m. race morning.
Continuous shuttle service to the start/finish will run from 4 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please arrive early and allow time for traffic delays. Please note: no public parking will be available at the 500 Atlantic Blvd parking area on Marathon Sunday.
Road Closures
The DONNA Foundation has worked closely with public safety agencies from across Northeast Florida to ensure traffic is diverted away from the race route while participants are completing the races.
- Please note that access to communities along the route may be inhibited for up to seven hours, beginning at 6 a.m. on race day. Please plan for delays.
- Beaches Town Center businesses will be open for normal operating hours throughout the weekend, though traffic may be higher than usual beginning Friday, February 7 at noon through Sunday, February 9 at 7 p.m.
- Atlantic Blvd. westbound will be closed at 3rd St. to Royal Palms Dr. on Sunday, February 9 from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m.