This is the 2nd year in a row that I have run this race, The advertised weather temp said mid 50's, but this years the race starts in the mid to upper 60's at 7 am. Lack of porta potties means getting there early to ensure 'business' has been taken care of in time to race. Cars are routed down the roads that you run and they sometimes weave in and out of the runners as traffic is oncoming. The last 1/2 mile is a cross country race as you go through an uneven gravel/cedar chip parking lot, through the school maintenance yard, oh just follow the police tape! I personally had the worst race of my 5 marathon career but at 4:45 after the start there was no soup, no sports drinks to be had. Water and muffins only. At the finish they took off your chip and gave your finishers medal to you in the plastic bag. Thanks, I walked to my car, drank some Gatorade and left via the gravel parking lot where runners were still streaming through. I'll run more marathons, but not this one in my home town!

I've ran in several marathons and the Jax Marathon is the worst put together race. There was not much parking, the toilets were few and far between. This was the second year I ran this and was disappointed again. When we finished, there was no soup, no drinks, just water and bananas. After running 26 miles and drinking water, I needed sugar not more water. The race packets were weak compared to other races. The medals were nice. I've decided not to run the Jax Marathon again, sad when your from Jax.

This was my first marathon, so I appreciated the flat course and the shade. Don't be mislead to think that bulk of the course is on the St. John's River because it is not - really only one scenic residential area. Course finish is cool. Volunteers were great. Spectators sparce. More than likely, I'll run it again next year.

Coming in from out of town I found the following problems: PARKING (not enough, not marked), PACKET PICK-UP (not marked well, not organized, no sensible flow - after waiting in line someone directed the crowd to a wall on the other side of gym to get number instead of name), LACK OF PORTAPOTS (obviously). Started the race frenzied due to these conditions.

I must caveat that this review is based on the HALF marathon - not the full. Although I now live in JAX - and this should be considered my hometown race - I will never do it again and will not recommend it to slow/beginning runners.

The race is small - about 1000 runners total for the full and half combined. I would not call this event friendly to slow/beginning runners or walkers

The race directors gave an early start for the MARATHONERS needing more than 6 hours (about 30 minutes) but not the Half marathoners needing more than 3. Of course, they also did not say that they would close the half marathon after 3 hours. No word ANYWHERE (website, brocheure, race packet)!!!

The race folks had advertised water and ultima on the course every 2 miles. Well - that was the case - until mile 8 - then no water till 11 and some water at the end of the half marathon.

The course is flat and runs through Jacksonville's expensive neighborhoods. The oaks and spanish moss are lovely - I wish I could say the same thing for the race course. The safety director (yeah right) came back to us at mile 11 and said 'want a ride?' I looked at her and said NO! She then told us to get on the other side of the road where we could not see the cars coming - yes the course had cars on it - and they were doing 50ish.....

I told this woman - as politely as I could muster that I was not going to cross the street since if I did - I would not be able to see the cars and since the course was not protected from the traffic and there were no sidewalks in the neighborhoods and the side of the roads were drainage ditches. She was not too happy.

We fininshed the race at 3:40:33 -- no race staff at the finish, no mats, no food, no water - nothing. The race information had said there would be busses to bring half finishers back to the start -- and there was not.

Overall - had they told the complete truth about the course (traffic, no sidewalks, etc) and about the closing of the half marathon - I would not have started this race.

Well organized, pancake flat, very shady course, through a nice section of town. Last mile, which cuts through a sandy field, needs to be rerouted. Finish on high school track is a nice feature.

Flat course and good support. Water and sports drink every 2 miles, and gel at 15 and 20. Course got boring and repititious and had a terrible last mile that winds through a dirt bumpy parking lot (the last thing you need after 25 grueling miles in the Florida heat.

The course is completely flat with no hills and lined with trees most of the way. The race is well organized, although crowd support is thin.Arrive early because parking goes fast.