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Nov 15, 2024

26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer Runner Comments

Back to 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer Information & Reviews

Course 4.3

Organization 4.4

Spectators 4.7

Number of comments: 118 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

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C. K. from NJ (4/27/2018) "Loved running for and with Donna!" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Run this race for the cause, and for the local atmosphere. The entire area shows up out to support the race, and from the start, you are showered in pink and applauded by spectators. It's a 26.2 mile party. I was overwhelmed by the support, and the kindness of volunteers. It was warm, and there were plenty of opportunities to get water and sponges , plus some ice pops and cold beer. Everyone was happy to be out, and Donna is an inspiration. I did the 10K the day prior and it was a treat lining up with Joan Benoit Samuelson at the start. I enjoyed my stay in Jacksonville. I spent a few days escaping from the cold northeast and enjoyed the beaches and restaurants. I loved Neptune Beach. People in the area were friendly and helpful. My only criticism involved transportation to and from the Expo: I opted to take the shuttle rather than drive, thinking it'd be easier. However, it was difficult to find and the volunteers had not been informed where to direct runners. If I do it again, I would drive. Otherwise, I had a wonderful weekend and highly recommend this race.
B. K. from USA (4/15/2018) "Disappointing" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 5 Since this marathon raises funds for a noble cause, it deserves good organization so that it does not become a "fundraiser race," which appears to be happening. I had run a few St. Jude marathons and enjoyed them, but, when it became a fundraiser a few years ago, I found another. I noticed that in this marathon, despite significant advertising, there were about 150 fewer finishers this year. Perhaps my comments will help reverse that trend. This was marathon #85 for me - all within the last 13 years, which gives me a good perspective on what a marathoner looks for in a race. First, the good: a great cause, pink wet sponges and little cold towels in the final miles, ample aid stations, fun neighborhoods - all in pink, flat course, standard expo, and large mile markers. Joan Benoit, the champion of the first women's Olympic marathon, was a guest, though I didn't know she was coming until, by luck, I stumbled upon her after I finished. I felt bad for her since no one else seemed to know who she was. What a thrill to meet her! Shame that she wasn't highlighted. What a great champion! Now, how to improve. Marathon officials stated, several days in advance, that there would be a "green" weather advisory, which means good weather. No way. Not with a starting temperature around 68 with humidity for a heat index in the low 70s. Fortunately the fog kept the sun blocked for a few hours. As the race progressed, the temps rose well into the 70s with the heat index into the 80s. By noon the temperature was 84. Over 100 runners, many of them overweight, took more than six hours to finish. Many took over seven hours. When the heat index gets into the 90s - as it was when these folks were running - that's a recipe for a heart attack or stroke in an obese person doing an extreme athletic event. Nothing was said about this. Hopefully there were no incidents. When I tried to find the results and asked several volunteers, no one knew where they were. No sheets were posted. No signs. Finally I found someone looking at his smart phone and announcing age bracket winners. For a race this small, posting results every half hour is fairly easy and is runner friendly. Someone told me that I should look on my phone for the results. But I try to minimize weight, as many do, during a marathon. Posting results right away is runner-friendly, especially in hot temps. Then, where was the shuttle bus to take runners back to the parking lot at the start? No signs. And, after asking six volunteers, I finally found directions. Solution to this? Start and finish the race at the Players Club parking lot - where the race started this year. I talked with a local who said that it used to start and finish at the Mayo Clinic, but the parking lot was too small. So, if the start and finish are together, there's no need for a bus and that money saved could be used for more breast cancer research. It's also a runner-friendly attraction that we marathoners look at when making a decision to enter.By the way, the shuttle took forever to get back to where we parked because of traffic gridlock. The food. What food? I didn't see any, though that doesn't matter much to me since I don't have much appetite after a marathon. It does matter to others, though. Some simple PB&J bagels, tubs of ice cold Gatorade or Powerade, etc. would have been great. And the age bracket prize - which organizers told me would be an engraved plaque when I was looking into this marathon - came in the mail about two months after the marathon - a two-inch cloth patch. We give out small Lucite trophies at our little 5K. I'd like to run this one again, but I won't if there aren't some changes. I noted that there's one in nearby Gainesville the following weekend.
K. S. from SC (3/19/2018) "Fantastic!" (about: 2018) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course is very scenic until the last 5 miles. But by then, who cares? Organization is wonderful. Spectators made the event feel like a 20 mile block party. There's ample parking at the start and free shuttle service from the finish back to the start. This was my first marathon with large spectator support, and it makes a huge difference in performance. Once the crowds thinned (after about mile 20), I could feel the lack of energy. Organization is superb! Plenty of water, gels, food, etc., along the course. Volunteers are plenty and awesome. The elevation chart doesn't show a significant bridge at about mile 24. Not the fault of the organizers, no one's GPS recorded elevation going over the bridge. I only mention it so you can be prepared for it. You'll peak the bridge just after finishing mile 25. Good news is the rest is downhill. Weather can by iffy since this is Florida, so pack for cold, warm and hot weather if you can. Overall a great experience and a race I look forward to running again. Best of luck!
ivan tomek from NOVA SCOTIA (2/15/2016) "Excellent overall" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Organization, spectators, refreshments (including free scrambled eggs, Ibuprofen, sunscreen, etc. at the start, three kinds of hot soup at the end), atmosphere, ... excellent!!! If they could only get rid of the two big bridges at the end ... A special feature is the emphasis on the cancer charity by organizers, spectators, etc. Instead of 'go' the spectators usually encourage you with 'thanks for running'. I wish other big events did this, starting with Olympics. Could not every one donate a part of the proceeds to a good cause? The event is smallish, under 1,000 for marathon and over 1,000 for 5 k (I have not checked the other races), but I did not miss the running crowds getting in my way. Lots of spectators all the way, very nice course through pleasant mostly partially wooded residential areas, coolish temperature at the start (around 3 C, I think).
T. S. from PA (2/15/2016) "Beautiful course!" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I chose this over Ft Lauderdale due to the cause but was concerned with the logistics because the airport is up north, the expo in the city, host hotel on the beach, and race starts farther south. That being said, the race is so well organized it all worked out smoothly. The runners' village had UPS baggage check with no lines. There were ample port a potties, water and heaters as you waited. Out of 8 different marathons I've run this was the most beautiful course. Tree lined streets, beachside communities, pristine and pretty. Yards were all decorated and spectators provided ample support with food, bubbles, signs and cheers. There are many turns along the course but are marked with highly visible signs and so are the mile markers. Plenty of aid stations and they give out Gu. Galloway pacers if you choose to run with them. The on ramp in the last few miles I heard was steep but to my surprise was the long uphill bridge. It slowed my pace but I found it to be symbolic of the struggle to fight breast cancer and pushed through. The finish goes downhill initially and I had to weave through some walkers since there is a simultaneous half. There is a relay so those runners would pass me but I fed off their speed and it helped my pace. Early on miles 4-6 were quite windy but after that it wasn't an issue. The weather this year otherwise was perfect, sunny and 40-60. Finishers' village was excellent with free hot dogs, beer, donuts and a massage tent. The bus to the start was readily available. Medals are gorgeous. I highly recommend this race.
S. R. from Galloway group Palm Beach Florida (2/22/2015) "Hebrews 12:1 I ran Jacksonville joy set before me" (about: 2015) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I will never forget Jacksonville the community spirit helped me endure the race set before me (Hebrew12:1&2)the joy especially after the 21st mile..so much love thrown out to me..Thank you all esp. for the woman with the woven blanket of her daughter-in-law sitting on a chair next to her watching the parade of hope in support of finishing breast cancer, to the woman who walked some of the road with me for encouragment, for the guy who yelled I was a kaleidoscope of power (my outfit was pretty crazy pink#862), for the woman who said its ok that I didnt keep pace with my Galloway group because there are people behind me right now that want to be where I am now. I am new to 26.2 but I saw my time at finish was 6:50hr but now the results say I was 7:15hr.. would be nice to have a photo at my finish to include the timeclock and the finish gate in a photo for keepsake & for evidence of me finishing under 7 hrs.lol.. just this 26.2 time is going to stay with me for a long time & hope to keep in under 7hr as I saw it finish, but it is all good & if I ever attempt 26.2 I am running 26.2 with Donna & Jacksonville!
S. H. from VIrginia (2/18/2015) "Small field, huge support" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved this race. The course is mostly flat, I'll get to why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 later. It runs through neighborhoods along the beach. Although only 1000 people ran the full (they also have a half marathon), the community comes out in force to cheer on the runners. The neighbors decorate their houses. They set up bubble machines. The offer oranges, food, water. The race directors write inspirational things on the road in chalk all along the course. Part of the course is on the beach, but the sand is packed hard - it is a nice break from the pavement. There were many water stops on the course. Prior to the start of the race, they have a warming tent and a tent with food and water and many many port-a-potties. The last 4 miles of the course are brutal. At that point the course moves inland along a highway. there is a ramp that is heavily slanted to one side. At mile 25 there is a bridge (hill) that is pretty steep. I found this tough on my very tired legs. I would encourage anyone to run this race despite the difficult end. One thing to note, the host hotel was on the beach and not close to the start or the finish. They wouldnt give me a late checkout that was late enough for me to shower after the race. 't was expensive and I don't think it was worth the money. I found out later that there were hotels adjacent to the finish line and shuttle bus transportation from there to the start.
Shanin Frost from Tallahassee, Florida (3/5/2014) "Wonderful First Marathon Experience" (about: 2014) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Running through beachside neighborhoods and small coastal downtown areas all decked out in pink with fans, spectators, breast cancer survivors, musicians, dj's, loud people with stereos, costumed people, did I mention how much pink there was??, food offerings, and everyone happy to have you there running in their race, blocking up traffic in their town, to honor their local celebrity and hero (Donna Deegan) was a pleasant (and humbling) surprise. Made the 26.2 miles go by fast (except the bridge at the last two miles, but that is necessary if you are going to get across the intercoastal to the finish area). Port-o-potties were abundant and conveniently located at start area, finish area and throughout the course, water/aid stations were right where you needed them, course was well marked between the half and full, the beach was beautiful, the back part of the course (marathon only) wound itself through beautiful oak lined areas, the Galloway pacing groups were a huge bonus, the medals were fully engraved and gorgeous (no more stickers), and the pre-hype leading up to race day got you excited to be racing in this wonderful event. I can't say anything about runner's village post race because the one thing race organizers can't control is the Florida weather. They had to close the course at about hour 6 due to tornadoes and lightening near the event. I ran the best (ok, my only) last 6 miles of a marathon EVER to beat the weather. I did get my medal, my knees got iced, and my whole family got free burgers before runner's village was completely shut down. My understanding is that they did a good job getting everyone off the course using busses and everyone still got their medals as they moved the pertinent stuff inside the Mayo Center where it was dry and safe. I will race this again next year and hope for better weather.
R. D. from Macon, Ga (2/24/2014) "The Race Director Hit the panic Button way to soon" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancers COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 107th marathon, and my 4th Donna. It has always been one of my favorite marathons. This year at mile 22.5, I was asked to board a bus for the finish. I opted instead to finish unofficially by running back to the start. I was with a first timer who had trained and driven hundreds of miles to participate. We did the prescribed 26.2 miles, finishing after after the race was called for a summer rainstorm with some lightning. I have participated in several marathons in far worse storms that were not called off. Participating in Marathons is an extreme sport. We know there are dangers, the least of which is lightning. A more appropriate response would have been to have the buses for those who chose to quit because of the weather, but leave the course open for those who want to continue at their own risk. The lightning stopped a few minutes after she called the race. I think this was a knee jerk reaction that ruined the race for hundreds of participants who came from as far away as California.
L. M. from Bufalo New York (2/23/2014) "Amazing well run race" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancers COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 5 th year running this race. Again this year this is the most organized well run race i have ever run. Pro: Very organized from start to finish. This is a very runner friendly race. Attention to every detail from start to finish. The corrals in the parking lot made the line up much less chaotic. Again this year tremendous crowd support. It feels like the whole city of Jacksonville comes out to support and thank the runners. Southern hospitality was at its best today. People had signs up in memory of their loved ones who had breast cancer. This is a very emotional event. At mile nine there was a sign stating Save the hooters made us both laugh. The gator aid and water were plentiful at every stop. The volunteers were cheery and kind Loved the GU we got Gu twice for the half marathon which was nice. My favorite part of the run is running on the beach again this year it was as beautiful as ever Con Need better parking for spectators at the Mayo clinic. Or better organization of the spectator parking. Our daughter picked us up and many of the spectators trying to get to the Mayo to see the runners had trouble finding parking.. I would have liked to have the busses from UNF to the start. We are from Buffalo NY and not familiar with this area. Our son in law drove us to the start but it seems pretty confusing on how to get there from the North side of the city. Over all this is an awesome event and the most organized event i have ever run..

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