What you need to know: Donna Marathon returns this weekend

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The theme of the 2020 DONNA Marathon Weekend is #TogetherWeWILL, and it’s aimed at inspiring everyone through the power of working together. It is a reminder that together everyone can do their part to help their friends, family and community achieve monumental goals.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Online registration continues through Saturday, and on-site at the Expo during DONNA Marathon weekend.

Participant drop-off and ride-share

All weekend, a designated area for drop-off/pick-up and ride-share services (Uber, Lyft, etc.) will be available at 500 Atlantic Blvd.

Bicycle parking

Bicycle parking is available all weekend 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.

Parking for Saturday Races

The DONNA 5K and Family Fun Run will be held in the Beaches Town Center. Parking is available around the Beaches Town Center and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Marathon Sunday Shuttles

There will be FREE parking for all participants at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium, at 3800 St. Johns Bluff Road S., beginning at 4 a.m. race morning.

Continuous shuttle service to the start/finish will run from 4 a.m. to 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 during 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. during 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 from noon Friday through 7 p.m. Sunday.

● 3rd Street northbound will be closed at Florida Boulevard from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. Sunday.

● 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.

Marathon Weekend Events:

FRIDAY

Social Shakeout Run

This three-mile run/walk is free and open to the public. Race founders Donna Deegan, Olympian and training director Jeff Galloway and Dr. Edith Perez will be participating in the run.

WHEN: 8 a.m.

WHERE: Southern Grounds, 200 1st St., Neptune Beach

DONNA Health & Wellness Expo presented by Venus Fashion

This event is free and open to the public with complimentary parking included. The expo returns to its original 2008 home at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium, which will also serve as the parking and transportation hub for DONNA Marathon Sunday. Registration and packet pickup for all events will be available, and each runner’s bag will include a Genentech bib with a timing chip courtesy of Pivot CPAs.

WHEN: Open noon to 6 p.m.

WHERE: 3800 St. Johns Bluff Road S., Jacksonville

SATURDAY

DONNA 5K & Family Fun Run presented by AXA and Jaguars Foundation

All 5K participants earn a signature running ribbon medal and experience a re-imagined 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, Florida

DONNA 110 Ultra Marathon

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.

WHEN: 7:30 a.m.

WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, Florida

DONNA Health & Wellness Expo presented by Venus Fashion

This event is free and open to the public with complimentary parking included. Return for the second day of the DONNA Health & Fitness Expo. Shop, sip and sample from nearly 100 exhibitors.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Morocco Shrine Auditorium, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Road S., Jacksonville, Florida

Beaches Town Center Street Party

Beaches Town Center businesses are OPEN for business during Marathon weekend. They will open their doors for a pedestrian-friendly street party.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, Florida

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. 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 a.m. Relay Start

WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, Florida

Post Race Party

This event is free and open to the public. Plan to meet and celebrate with family and friends at the DONNA Post Race Party inside Runners Village. Guests can enjoy seeing the awards given and live entertainment all day, sponsored by McKesson.

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

WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, Florida

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.

WHEN: 1:30 to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, Florida

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