Is the Jacksonville Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston registration. Roughly one in seven finishers crosses the line under their BQ standard, which reflects the flat, fast course but also a focused field.

What is the course like elevation-wise?

The course is extremely flat, with the highest point under thirty feet above sea level. There are no significant climbs or descents, making pacing straightforward from start to finish.

What is the time limit?

The time limit is six hours, which gives most runners a comfortable cushion to finish.

What should I expect from race-day weather?

December mornings in Jacksonville typically start in the low-to-mid 40s and warm into the low 60s by midday. It's one of the cooler, more comfortable times to race in Florida, and conditions usually support a solid effort.

The Jacksonville Marathon is a mid-size event with a few hundred finishers. The smaller field means a quieter atmosphere compared to larger city marathons, with less crowd support along the course.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the course is USATF certified, so finishing times are valid for Boston Marathon qualification and other races that require certified courses.

Sat, Dec 12 · 2026Jacksonville, FLSince 1983

Jacksonville Marathon

Jacksonville's December marathon runs a flat out-and-back through one of Florida's biggest cities, with cool morning temperatures that give you every chance to run your best. It's a low-fuss, honest race for runners who just want to go fast.

FlatOpen

JACKSONVILLE · US

Jacksonville

SAT, DEC 12

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 1983

Jacksonville runs in December, which means you get one of the better weather windows for a Florida road race. The morning starts cool and stays manageable through the finish. The course is flat. Genuinely flat. You're not hunting for net downhill or a tailwind assist; the course just gets out of your way and lets you run.

It's an out-and-back, so the second half is the mirror image of the first. That sounds fine until mile eighteen, when there's nothing new to look at and you have to stay honest with your effort. Don't go out hot; the flat profile makes it tempting to bank time early, and it will cost you. The field is on the smaller side, which means less crowd energy and more racing in your own head. Entry is open registration, so getting in is easy; you can even sign up on race day if you want. It's a solid choice if you're chasing a qualifier or a PR and want a no-drama December race. Just do the training and show up ready to execute.

Field size

~703

703 finishers

BQ rate

14%

Above national average

Time limit

6:00

Tight cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:14:33

—

1992

Women

2:36:45

—

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

26 ft

Lowest point

6 ft

Course shape

Out and back

Same route, both directions

The course is essentially flat, running between six and twenty-six feet of elevation across the entire route. There are no meaningful climbs or descents to manage, so pacing is straightforward from gun to finish. The out-and-back layout means conditions are even in both directions, but it also means no novelty to distract you in the back half. Surface and turn count matter here: the course is road-based and relatively open, so wind exposure is worth watching, particularly on the return leg. With no elevation to bank or spend, your target pace on mile one is your target pace at mile twenty-five. Discipline early is everything.

Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

44°F

High

61°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

December in Jacksonville is about as good as Florida gets for racing. The start is cool, often in the low-to-mid 40s, so bring a throwaway layer for the corral. By the finish you'll be in the low 60s at most, which is comfortable running weather. Humidity is lower than the Florida summer norm, and conditions generally favor a controlled, fast effort. This is one of the few races in the South where the weather is working with you, not against you.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration with tiered early-bird pricing. Online registration closes the day prior to packet pickup; runners can register in-store or on race day.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

MCO

133 mi

from the start

≈ 210 min transferLonger haul

What to expect

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is about 17 miles from the start at Bolles School (30 min drive). Limited hotels near the race site; rent a car if staying out of town. Embassy Suites (Baymeadows) is the host hotel with bus service to the start.