<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><strong>26.2 with DONNA: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is&nbsp; a movement, a celebration of resilience, and an opportunity to make a difference. Held annually in the beautiful setting of Jacksonville, Florida, this one-of-a-kind marathon combines the joy of running with a deeply meaningful cause&mdash;supporting breast cancer research and patient care through The DONNA Foundation. Whether you&rsquo;re a first-time marathoner or a seasoned runner, this event offers an unforgettable experience of camaraderie, inspiration, and purpose.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Why Runners Love 26.2 with DONNA</strong></h3>
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<h4><strong>A Purpose-Driven Run: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">The heart of this race is its mission: to finish breast cancer. Every step you take helps raise funds for groundbreaking research and provides financial assistance to those impacted by the disease. Running this marathon means being part of a community committed to making a difference&mdash;a feeling that&rsquo;s both empowering and humbling.</span></h4>
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<h4><strong>Scenic and Coastal Course: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">The course takes you through Jacksonville&rsquo;s vibrant neighborhoods, over the iconic Intracoastal bridges, and along the stunning Atlantic coastline. The ocean views, combined with stretches of cheering spectators in pink, create a truly uplifting and picturesque atmosphere.</span></h4>
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<h4><strong>Outstanding Support: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">From water stations and nutrition stops to volunteers and local residents offering encouragement, this race has a reputation for unparalleled support. You&rsquo;ll find aid stations stocked with essentials and smiling faces cheering you on at every turn.</span></h4>
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<h4><strong>A Festival of Positivity: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">This marathon is more than a race; it&rsquo;s a celebration. Expect fireworks at the start, live music along the course, and a finish-line festival with an incredible energy. The uplifting vibe is infectious, making every participant feel like a winner.</span></h4>
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<h3><strong>Things to Consider</strong></h3>
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<h4><strong>A Unique Challenge: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">The course includes some bridges and slight inclines, which can be a surprise for those expecting a completely flat run. However, these moments are balanced by the breathtaking views they offer, making them worth the effort.</span></h4>
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<h4><strong>Limited Expo Size: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">The race expo is on the smaller side compared to larger marathons, but it&rsquo;s efficiently organized and offers a good selection of essentials, including DONNA-themed merchandise and local vendors.</span></h4>
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<h4><strong>Travel Planning: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jacksonville is a great city to visit, but accommodations near the race may fill up quickly. Be sure to book your stay early to enjoy the convenience of nearby lodging.</span></h4>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><strong>26.2 with DONNA Marathon</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is more than just a race&mdash;it&rsquo;s a celebration of life, a tribute to those affected by breast cancer, and a chance to be part of something truly transformative. Whether you&rsquo;re chasing a personal best, looking for a supportive race atmosphere, or simply wanting to run for a cause close to your heart, this event has it all. Lace up your running shoes, join the sea of pink, and experience the joy of running for hope, healing, and a world without breast cancer.</span></p>  <p>DONNA Marathon Weekend returns January 31 – February 2, 2025. <strong>This year’s theme, Destination: Fearless</strong> is a celebration of love over fear, a reminder that we are stronger and braver than we ever thought. Just as runners overcome the physical demands of the race, breast cancer patients and their families face the unknown with bravery, supported by The DONNA Foundation. Because every step we take together, every mile we complete, is a step toward embracing a life of hope. A life fearless.</p>
<p>The 18th Annual DONNA Marathon Weekend will include a 5K, DONNA Dash, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultramarathon, Event Challenges, and Health &amp; Wellness Expo that will again fill the City of Jacksonville and the Beaches of Northeast Florida with thousands of runners from all 50 states and many countries. <a href="https://breastcancermarathon.com/fundraiser-experience/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Exciting new incentives</a> have also been added for those who choose to fundraise for The DONNA Foundation, serving those living with breast cancer. For complete race information, please visit <a href="https://breastcancermarathon.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">www.BreastCancerMarathon.com</a>.</p>
<p>26.2 with DONNA The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer is the only marathon in the US dedicated to serving those with breast cancer and benefits The DONNA Foundation. Participants enjoy a flat (voted “Flattest” by OutdoorsWIRE), fast Boston-Qualifying marathon course that takes them through the beautiful beach communities of Jacksonville with scenic views and an outpouring of crowd support. There’s a reason this event has been recognized by USA Today as “10Best Readers Choice 2024” and “2024 Best in Jax” from the readers of Jacksonville Magazine.</p>
<p>The DONNA Marathon has also been selected by the Abbott World Marathon Majors as a qualifying race for the AbbottWMM Marathon Tours &amp; Travel Age Group World Ranking program. Through this distinction, participants in the DONNA Marathon can compete to earn ranking points to be invited to the AbottWMM MTT Age Group Championships.</p>
<p>DONNA Marathon Weekend is an official event of The DONNA Foundation. The DONNA Foundation was established in June of 2003 by three-time breast cancer survivor, award-winning journalist and Mayor of the City of Jacksonville Donna Deegan to meet the critical financial needs of the underserved living with breast cancer. Our mission is to provide hope, support, and financial relief to those living with breast cancer, creating a world where breast cancer patients are freed from any barriers to their successful treatment. Over the last two decades, The DONNA Foundation has served more than 20,000 families, securing more than $6.5M in financial services and debt relief. The organization has also disbursed more than $3.3 million in support of translational genomics and immune studies (or we could simply say research). The organization also operates events and programs for survivorship, education and awareness. For more information, visit <a href="https://thedonnafoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">www.TheDONNAFoundation.org</a>.</p>

26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer

Post-Race Review/ Results

The 2025 DONNA Marathon was successfully held on Sunday, February 2.

'So much positivity and love': 18th DONNA Marathon unites community in fight against cancer

Pre-Race Review/ Lineup

The DONNA Marathon will be held on Sunday, February 2.

18th DONNA Marathon Weekend kicks off Jan. 31

Hebrews 12:1 I ran Jacksonville joy set before me

The Race Director Hit the panic Button way to soon

Very special race despite transportation problems

Transporation issues MUST be corrected!!!

poor transportation problem mar a good race

Great race for a great cause. I'll do it again.

5 out of 5 stars!  Best marathon I have run!

excellent event - great cause, course, spectators

Overall nice race; killer bridge at the finish

Relay needs a little work, but still outstanding!!

Awesome event; will definitely do this again

Great organization, excellent cause, super specs!

Most fulfilling race that I have ever run in

This was a fantastic, motivational marathon!

5-Hour Pace Group Leader was Outstanding!

Very nice job, particularly for a first-time run

For my first marathon, couldn't have asked for mor

Skin cancer is better than breast cancer?

Incredibly well organized inaugural event!

Great cause, great organization, awesome spectator

DID NOT SEEM LIKE A FIRST-YEAR EVENT:  A++++++

26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer

Marathon Results