The 1/2 Marathon and 5K will start together on Adams Street near the Memorial Wall across Gator Bowl Boulevard from Metropolitan Park. The race will be started by the blast of the cannon. Please line up according to your ability. Faster runners in the front with walkers in the back of the starting area. Make sure you have you ChampionChip attached to your shoe before reporting to the starting line.
The Finish
Both races will finish inside Metropolitan Park on the grass. You will enter the park by the field gate located on the east end of the park. Please cross both sets of orange mats before stopping. You time will be recorded automatically by the ChampionChip timing device that must be attached to your shoe. Please remove the "chip" before exiting the finish area. Finisher medals will be given to all 5K and 1/2 marathon finishers right after you cross the finish line.
The Marine Corps 1/2 Marathon and Freedom 5K are both USATF Certified Courses. The starting line will be located near the Memorial Wall located between Alltel Stadium and the Veterans Memorial Arena. There will be mile makers with digital clocks located at each mile mark. All turns will be clearly marked with large turn signs. Most turns and intersections will be monitored by the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office or the Marines.
The 5K will start with the 1/2 Marathon and will run through downtown to Water Street just past Pearl Street, turn around, and will return to Metropolitan Park to finish.
The 1/2 marathon will continue from downtown over the Main and Acosta Bridges, and will run through historic Riverside along Riverside Avenue. The route will continue to St. Johns Ave run through Avondale do a loop around Boone Park and then head back along Riverside Ave until you pass under Interstate 95. At this point runners will move on to the Northbank Riverwalk and run the 2 mile path along the St. John's River until you get to Bay Street just east of Liberty St..
Water station will be located about every two miles and will be staffed by various Corporations and Organizations from the Jacksonville area. There will also be water at the start and finish areas.
Gel will be located at mile 10 near the intersection of St. John's and King Street.
