Sun, Nov 22 · 2026Cocoa, FLSince 1971

Space Coast Marathon

The Space Coast Marathon runs an out-and-back course along Florida's Atlantic coast in late November, when the heat has finally backed off and the conditions can actually reward a good effort.

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SPACE COAST · US
Space Coast
SUN, NOV 22
2026
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Race Overview

EST. 1971

Space Coast is one of those low-key Florida marathons that quietly delivers. It starts and finishes in Cocoa, runs an out-and-back course along the coast, and keeps things simple. No major hills. No complicated route to memorize. Just you, the road, and whatever you brought to the race. The crowd support is modest, so don't count on the crowd to carry you through the back half. You need to bring your own engine.

The course is about as flat as it gets, which makes pacing straightforward but also removes any excuse for going out too hard. Resist the temptation early. The return leg feels longer than it looks on paper, especially if the wind shifts. It's a Boston qualifier, though the qualifying percentage is low, so the field is a mix of serious runners chasing a time and people just happy to be out there on a nice November morning. Registration is open and first-come, first-served, but the marathon fills up. If you're thinking about it, don't wait.

Field size
~940
940 finishers
BQ rate
4%
Below national average
Time limit
7:00
Generous cutoff
Entry
Open
First-come registration

The Course

262 ft total gain
Total ascent
262 ft
Total descent
259 ft
Net elevation
3 ft
Highest point
41 ft
Lowest point
3 ft
Course shape
Out and back
Same route, both directions

The course is nearly dead flat, with only about 260 feet of gain across the full 26.2 miles and a net elevation change of just 3 feet. The highest point is around 41 feet, so there are no meaningful climbs to manage. Out-and-back layouts reward even pacing: the back half mirrors what you already ran, so any surprises on the way out become expectations on the return. Watch for wind exposure on open coastal stretches, which can work for or against you depending on direction. Surface and turns are generally straightforward. The elevation profile is not a limiter here; your fitness and pacing discipline are.

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median
Low
56°F
High
71°F
30°MARATHON-IDEAL 4560°80°
What to expect

Late November in Cocoa is about as good as Florida gets for racing. You'll start in the mid-to-upper 50s, which feels cool after a Florida summer but perfectly runnable once you're moving. The afternoon high climbs into the low 70s, so if you're out there past the three-hour mark, you'll feel the warmth building. It's rarely brutal, but don't ignore hydration just because it doesn't feel hot at the gun. Wind off the coast is the real variable worth thinking about on an out-and-back course.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration for all participants, first-come, first-served. Marathon sold out; half marathon and virtual options available.

Register on race site

From the Community

3 videos · YouTube
52nd Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon
Running Zone, Inc.
Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon Finish Line November 27th, 2022 in Cocoa, Florida.
Dar for the Win
Space Coast Marathon 2021! | Kelly's First Marathon in Cocoa Beach Florida!
Young At The Parks

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