Every year I run either a half or a full marathon, but since my firstborn was born this past year, getting back into race shape has been a little more difficult, so I’ve been looking for smaller races and choosing to fulfill the incentives of the organizers. . Turns out, whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or a runner who enjoys smaller races, the Jacksonville area has a number of springtime events available during the warm months of April and May. While this list is not exhaustive, it represents the more well-known events in the area.
River Run For Cover 5K & 1 mile Fun Run
April 7, 2012
6:00 a.m./5:30 a.m.
Partus River (Park Street)
Jacksonville
The River Run Pro Cover starts and ends at Park near Five Point and runs through both the river and the beautiful Willowbranch Park and back. Registration can be done online or by US mail.
Fees: 5K — $20 (through March 31); $25 (April 1-6); $30 (race day) / 1 mile fun run — $10. There is a $2 discount for runners using their timing chip. Post-race celebration live music, refreshments (including beer!), and prizes for multiple age groups. The pick-up package is available when you have selected your 1st Location Games location on Thursday, April 5th and Friday, April 6th from 10 p.m. at 6 p.m. For more, or to register, see: www.1stplacesports.com/cover.html.
Run to the Sun 8K & 1 Mi. Fun Run
April 21, 2012
8:00 a.m./9:30 a.m.
Golden BirthKennel Club
The 8K course is a USATF Certified course along the St. Johns River Road and benefits local school run/walks< /a>. Fees: per Striders/Military/AIR — $15 (through April 11), $20 (April 12-15), $25 (race day); for Non Striders — $20 (through April 11), $22 (April 12-15), $25 (race day); Kids 13 and under – $15 (through April 15), $25 (day of race). The one mile fun run is free! Save $2 on posts using their timeline xxxiii. The pick-up package is at all 1st Local Sports locations in the Jacksonville area on Thursday, April 19 and Friday, April 20 from 10 p.m. at 6 p.m. Race day registration and packet pick up begins at 7:00 a.m. To register, visit: www.floridastriders.com/events/runtothesun8k.html.
Players 5K with Donna
May 5, 2012 – 7:30 a.m.
TPC Sawgrass
The 5K race with Donna is designed to raise money for breast cancer research. Runners and walkers of all levels will take a behind-the-scenes experience of the 5K route through the players’ course at TPC Sawgrass. Registration for the race includes tickets for the event that players must attend on Sunday, May 13, 2012. Any players who participated on May 13 will receive a free official 5K participant t-shirt located in the “5K with Donna Courtyard.” after the Par 5, 16th hole. Fees: through March 31 — Adults 19 and older — $35, 18 and under $15; April 1-May 2-Adults $40, 18 and under $20; Race Day–$50 Adults, 18 and under $25. For more information, or to register, visit: www.breastcancermarathon.com.
