Runners, lace up your sneakers because it's that time again! It's time for the 26.2 Donna Marathon!
This year marks its 12th year. Festivities are taking place in Neptune Beach, kicking off on Friday, Feb. 8 and ending Sunday, Feb. 10.
First Coast News has compiled all of the information you need to know before and after the big race:
SUNDAY, Feb. 10
Events:
26.2 with DONNA Marathon, DONNA Half Marathon at Beaches Town Center, 0 Atlantic Blvd. at 7:30 a.m.
WATCH: Runners take off in a beautiful start to the Donna Marathon
WATCH: Donna Marathon leader makes emotional finish
THE DONNA EXPO
Location: 500 Atlantic Blvd. in Neptune Beach
Friday, Feb. 8: Noon to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 9: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Parking is first come, first serve during expo hours. Beginning Saturday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m., all vehicles without a parking pass will be towed.
All participants must attend the DONNA Expo in order to pick-up their assigned number and runner's bag. On-site packet pickup is not available on the marathon/half marathon morning. Bring your registration confirmation and ID.
Packet pick-up times:
Friday, Feb. 8: Noon to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 9: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For any other questions about packet pick-up, click here.
COURSE MAPS
The 26.2 with Donna announced last year that there will be a new course, starting and ending in Neptune Beach.
Below are maps of each of the courses. Click the links below to see video showing the outline of each course.
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING
SATURDAY RACES
The DONNA 5K and Family Fun Run will be held at the Beaches Town Center. Parking is first come, first serve. Beginning at 6 p.m., all vehicles without a parking pass will be towed.
Drop-off, pick-up and rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
All weekend, a designated area for drop-off/pick-up and rideshare services will be available in the Expo parking area at 500 Atlantic Blvd.
Ride Share Drop Off: Heading East on Atlantic Blvd. Only RIGHT into 580 Atlantic Blvd., first entrance, continue through the parking lot, turn LEFT, Load/Unload in front of DONNA Community Expo, continue through the parking lot, exit at Lemon Street and A1A/3rd Street. RIGHT turn only, continue southbound on A1A/3rd Street.
Bicycle Parking
All weekend, bicycle ‘valet’ parking will be available at the Expo. Roll-up to the garden center entrance and we’ll take care of the rest.
SUNDAY SHUTTLES
There will be FREE parking for all participants at the UNF Lot 18 beginning 4 a.m. Sunday. Continuous shuttle service to start and finish will run from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Arrive early. Expect traffic delays.
No public parking in the K-Mart Lot Sunday morning.
TRAFFIC FOR RACE DAY
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
From Butler Boulevard, take the FL-9A/Interstate 295 exit toward International Airport/Daytona Beach. Take Exit 52 for Town Center Parkway toward University of North Florida Drive. Keep right and follow signs for University of North Florida. From the I-295 UNF campus entrance, turn left on Eco Road, just past the UPD Police Building.
ALTERNATE ROUTES
From the Kernan Boulevard UNF campus entrance, turn right off Alumni Drive at the fountain onto UNF Drive. Follow UNF Drive and take a right onto Varsity Lane located before the Arena building (34) and garage (38). Follow it to Lot 18.
From Beach Boulevard: At the FSCJ intersection (FSCJ is on the north side of the road), turn onto Central Parkway and follow the road until you see UNF Parking on the left.
ROAD CLOSURES
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.
No vehicles will be permitted to park on impacted city streets beginning Saturday, Feb. 9 after 6 p.m. through Sunday, Feb. 10, until the streets are opened for access. Cars parked along the route will be towed during these hours!
WEATHER
Cloud cover and some showers are on the way this weekend, but our First Coast News Storm Experts do not expect these weather conditions to rain out the Donna!
RACE WEEKEND APP
The Donna is offering a new app experience that you can download for both Androids and IPhones.
It allows you to track participants on race day, as well as view schedules throughout the weekend and course maps, plus more!
Click here to download the app for Google Play and Apple.