5K races near Jacksonville

The DONNA 5K at TPC Sawgrass is an October 5K held in the Jacksonville area. It is one of three signature races in the DONNA Fearless Series, alongside DONNA Marathon Weekend and the DONNA Mother’s Day 5K. The foundation’s “Love over fear” mantra connects the series to cancer survivorship and patient support. The TPC Sawgrass 5K is the event where participants earn the DONNA Fearless medal upon completing all three signature races. This structure allows runners to receive four medals from three events, without needing a separate series registration. The DONNA events attract survivors, families, charity runners, supporters, and those running in memory of loved ones. Proceeds from the race help fund patient services through The DONNA Foundation.

Run Up for Heroes is a 5K race in Jacksonville, starting at the pier of the USS Orleck Naval Museum. This event commemorates the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary and generates funds for local veterans, aiming to honor service members and provide housing for Jacksonville veterans requiring assistance. The event offers more than just the run: Jacksonville Jaguars personnel, JAX Legends, and the ROAR of the Jaguars will be present. Local vendors, food trucks, a DJ, a photo booth, children’s games, bounce houses, and fall harvest activities are also scheduled. Costume contests provide a fun element, with a category for runners or families dressed as superheroes.

The Amelia Island Half Marathon, held in Fernandina Beach, Florida, offers a 12k option for those seeking a shorter run. This event is organized by women, for women, with female planners, coaches, and athletes guiding the race's design. The course winds through historic Fernandina Beach and Old Town before proceeding onto the shaded roads near Fort Clinch. Participants will also see ocean vistas, contributing to its recognition as a notable beach half marathon.

The Jacksonville Marine Corps Half Marathon & Freedom 5K starts runners and walkers downtown Jacksonville near Riverfront Plaza, with both distances sharing the start on Hogan and Water Street. The half marathon is a 13.1-mile road race, paired with a shorter 5K, and the event is one of Jacksonville’s larger running days, drawing more than 3,000 participants in a past running. The race formerly used the Marine Corps Half Marathon name, and the starting area sits where the Jacksonville Landing once stood. The half marathon route is mostly flat and uses an out-and-back layout along city streets near the St. Johns River. Early on, runners encounter the main climb of the day with a bridge crossing toward Friendship Park, then return to the north side by way of the Acosta Bridge and follow Riverside Avenue along the river. The course continues through neighborhood streets, with turns near Willow Branch Park, St. Johns Avenue, Boone Park, Fishweir Park, and Yukon Street, where runners reach the halfway point before heading back over much of the same ground toward the finish.

The Oktoberfest Beer and Brats 5K begins in Jacksonville's San Marco Square, with the 5K starting at 5 PM and a one-mile run/walk at 6 PM. Hosted by 1st Place Sports, this evening race includes chip timing, live results, prize money for top 5K finishers, and awards for overall and age-group winners. The event offers reduced 5K entry fees for participants aged 17 and under, and 65 and over. The course winds through San Marco before the post-race festivities commence with beer, brats, music, and games. Participants receive a shirt, a medal, and a custom beer mug, along with a complimentary beer and bratwurst. Tepeyolot Cerveceria provides the beer and has brewed a special Festbier for the occasion, a golden German lager with a clean malt profile. The Oktoberfest theme is evident in the Oom-Pah-pah music, the encouragement for runners to wear Tracht, dirndls, or lederhosen, and pre-race games including axe throwing, basketball shoot, and football pass and kick.

The AddieStrong 5K and 1-mile fun run/walk begin at 8:30 AM from Freedom Crossing Academy in Aberdeen. Participants should arrive earlier for packet pickup. Each runner and walker receives a race shirt and a finisher medal. The event is an annual memorial for Addilyn Grace Spann, who passed away as a young child. Her family remembers her as a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl whose smile impacted those around her. Proceeds from the race benefit The W.

The Clay Vets Day 5k 26 is a 5K race in Orange Park, Florida, held near Veterans Day as a community salute to veterans. It features an adult 5K, a kids' race for ages 7 to 12, and a stroller-friendly option for children 6 and under. Walkers, wheelchairs, and strollers are permitted. The course is not certified for competition, indicating it is a local participation event rather than a formal record-chasing one. The event is a collaboration between the Veterans Council of Clay County, Florida, and the Clay County Board of County Commissioners. Packet pickup is at Orange Park Mall on Wells Road, available the day before and on race day. The first 200 registrants receive a shirt, bib, chip timing, finisher medal, and refreshments. The event includes food trucks, music, static displays, veteran-support organizations, and an awards ceremony. The 5K is described as "Tougher than you think!"

UF Health Jacksonville's Turkey Trot 5K is a Thanksgiving running event in Atlantic Beach, Florida, starting at One Ocean Resort and Spa on Ocean Boulevard. The main race is a 5K, with a 1.6 km option for those seeking a brief, relaxed run or walk. The setting is a beach town east of Jacksonville, with the course following the coast rather than a downtown road. UF Health Jacksonville organizes the event, and the two distances accommodate regular runners, families, and holiday participants beginning their day with a short race near the oceanfront.

The Omni Turkey Trot 5K is a Thanksgiving-season 5K held at Omni Amelia Island Resort in Nassau County, Florida. It begins and ends at Racquet Park, adjacent to the Verandah restaurant, and utilizes chip timing to provide runners with an official result. The route remains within the resort, winding through tree-canopied sections of Amelia Island. A 1-mile option is also available, suitable for families and children. A portion of the proceeds benefits the First Coast YMCA.

Run With A Mission is a small annual running event held in Nocatee, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, beginning at 400 Nocatee Center Way. Participants can select a 5K or 10K race, with a 1.6 km option available for those preferring a shorter distance. The event directly supports Faithful Servant Missions, functioning as both a fundraiser and a community gathering for FSM. Approximately 300 runners participate annually, contributing to its local, mission-focused atmosphere distinct from large-city road races.