You see the color PINK filling up the city. You catch a quick mention about it on the news or see a Facebook post from a friend running and training for the big race. But you think, “I’m not a marathon runner, so why would I be a part of the upcoming DONNA Marathon Weekend?” JMB is here to tell you why you should bring the whole family to DONNA Marathon Weekend and be a part of the festivities to finish breast cancer.
Held annually the second weekend of February, DONNA Marathon Weekend (5k, 10k, Relay, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultramarathon and Event Challenges) fills the City of Jacksonville and its Beaches in Northeast Florida with over 10,000 runners from all 50 states and 20 countries. Participants enjoy a flat, fast Boston-Qualifying marathon course that takes them through four beautiful beach communities with scenic views and an outpouring of crowd support. There’s a reason this event has been recognized by CNN Travel as one of the “Seven Marathons Worth the Trip” and “Favorite Charity Race” from the readers of Women’s Running Magazine. It’s the National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer.
Beginning Friday through Sunday, this is a weekend packed full of activities the whole family can enjoy. Saturday is the perfect day to get even the littlest ones involved, and like JMB contributor Jessica Stewart shared, “I loved running the Donna 5K! The events on Saturday were so well organized and easy to navigate. Our whole family enjoyed the morning; it was a great family day out.”
The DONNA Expo
Spend the day visiting exhibitors featuring apparel and loads of free samples and giveaways at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. The expo is open Friday, February 9 from noon to 7 PM and Saturday, February 10 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- On-site Registration and Race Packet Pickup
- FREE And Open To The Public, FREE Parking
- Give the gift of life with a blood donation in the OneBlood Big Red Bus.
Saturday, February 10 Events: DONNA 10K Presented By Beard’s Jewelry
8:00 a.m. 10K Start. DONNA 10K participants receive:
- Short-sleeved, gender-specific performance shirt
- Signature 10K Running Ribbon Finisher’s Medal
- Keepsake race bib
- A warm fuzzy feeling that by participating, you are a part of the #BeTheFINISH movement to finish breast cancer
DONNA 5K Presented By Jaguars Foundation and AXA
10:00 a.m. 5K Start. DONNA 5K participants receive:
- Unisex cotton shirt
- Signature Running Ribbon Finisher’s Medal
- Keepsake race bib
- A warm fuzzy feeling that by participating, you are a part of the #BeTheFINISH movement to finish breast cancer
DONNA Family Fun Run Presented By Jaguars Foundation and Pfizer – FREE!
11:00 a.m. Fun Run Start. DONNA Family Fun Run Participants Receive:
- Kids under 10 receive a fun finisher’s medal*
- Keepsake race bib
Meet Donna! Join us Tuesday, January 30 at 10 AM for a Facebook Live with the Award-winning journalist, philanthropist and marathoner, Donna Deegan and for the chance to win a 5K registration and merchandise certificate!
Donna Deegan is the founder and president of The DONNA Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds to assist breast cancer patients with critical financial needs. The three-time breast cancer survivor formed the organization in 2003 following her second diagnosis of the disease. In 2008, Donna created 26.2 with DONNA, The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer, dedicated to breast cancer research and care, benefiting the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Program and The DONNA Foundation. In addition, Donna is the author of two memoirs, The Good Fight, a chronicle of her own breast cancer treatment and recovery, and Through Rose Colored Glasses, A Marathon from Fear to Love, which encourages all with life-altering challenges to change their perspective from one of fear to one of love. Donna is a wife and mother of two and lives in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
What is The DONNA Foundation?
The DONNA Foundation, a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization established in June of 2003, provides financial assistance for the critical needs of those living with breast cancer. Our mission is to provide economic assistance and emotional support to individuals living with breast cancer and fund groundbreaking breast cancer research. To date, The DONNA Foundation has served more than 10,000 families by providing more than $5 million dollars in relief.
Additionally, The DONNA Foundation helped to develop and maintain the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Program. Ongoing funding from the foundation makes it possible for the laboratory team to not only conduct state-of-the-art breast cancer research, including the widely-publicized Triple Negative Breast Cancer Vaccine Trials, but also to provide genomics support for studies in all cancers. The DONNA Foundation is committed to supporting families in need and ultimately, finishing breast cancer.
Ready to join in on the PINK fun? Keep an eye out for JMB contributors participating in this year’s event and follow along with us on Instagram for stories throughout the upcoming weekend. For more details or to register for any of the DONNA Marathon Weekend events, click here.
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