DONNA Marathon Weekend Returns February 2-4; Announces Calendar of Events

The DONNA Foundation today announced its calendar of events for the 2024 DONNA Marathon race weekend. Now in its 17th year providing a vibrant and exciting weekend for the community, events begin on February 2.

Themed “Destination: Hope,” this year's race reinforces DONNA Marathon Weekend as a destination race, appealing to local and international runners, while envisioning a future defined by something brighter than any one place or race –– a future where love always wins out over fear. We celebrate the progress and resilience required to reach the finish line we all believe is possible: a world without breast cancer.

In anticipation of the upcoming race, we will have several exciting announcements to share in the coming weeks, including:

• General race information
• Interview opportunities with DONNA Foundation representatives, including Amanda Napolitano, Executive Director, as well as survivors, runners and DONNA Marathon Weekend supporters
• And of course the race results post-event!

There’s still time to sign up –– all the information can be found here.

The full calendar of events can be found in the press release below my signature. Images, logos and more information to accompany this announcement can be found here.

I’m happy to connect you with DONNA Foundation representatives to discuss all things DONNA Marathon Weekend, as well as one of the participants to discuss why they run this iconic race. These powerful stories tell of perseverance, love over fear and hope for a future when breast cancer is simply a footnote in the medical journals. As always, there will be opportunities for on-site coverage for the full DONNA Marathon Weekend, including the two-day Health and Wellness Expo, presented by Jacksonville Jaguars and Bold Events, and the running of the 26.2 with DONNA. Please stay tuned for additional information on press credentials.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m looking forward to sharing another incredible and inspirational DONNA Marathon with you. Thank you, as always, for your consideration.

All the best,

Ashley

Ashley Williams
Senior PR & Communications Manager
—

904.707.0475 (c)

1022 Park Street, Suite 401
Jacksonville, FL 32204

wearewingard.com

CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT

The DONNA Foundation | 1015 Atlantic Blvd, #58 | Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 | (904) 355-7465

DONNA Marathon Weekend Returns Feb. 2-4, 2024

Runners return to Jacksonville & The Beaches for the 17th annual run to finish breast cancer.

WHAT: DONNA Marathon Weekend, presenting the only marathon and half marathon in the United States dedicated to breast cancer survivorship, returns Feb. 2-4, 2024. This annual event supports The DONNA Foundation, which provides financial assistance and support to families living with breast cancer, supports groundbreaking breast cancer research and celebrates survivorship.

Now celebrating its 17th running, the theme of the 2024 DONNA Marathon Weekend is Destination: Hope, highlighting DONNA Marathon Weekend as a destination race appealing to thousands of Jacksonville natives and international runners. The theme also reinforces The DONNA Foundation’s envisioned future defined by something brighter than any one place or race –– a future where love always wins out over fear. Together, we celebrate the progress and resilience required to reach the finish line we all believe is possible: a world without breast cancer.

“We are proud to welcome back runners, survivors, families and friends this February,” said Amanda Napolitano, Executive Director of The DONNA Foundation. “More than 17 years after our first running, we are still just as honored to celebrate with every runner, walker, survivor and supporter who joins us for this monumental event each year. This weekend means more than PRs, medals and race qualifications –– it means hope for so many women and men in the thick of a breast cancer diagnosis. It means celebration in a time of uncertainty, victory in a time that can feel defeating. Most importantly, it means love winning over fear every time. We can’t wait to see everyone Downtown and at the Beaches in February.”

WHEN: Events will take place on the following days/times: 

Friday, Feb. 2

Social Shakeout Run (Three-Mile Run/Walk), hosted by The DONNA D-Squad with Fitz Koehler

Courtyard by Marriott Oceanfront, a DONNA Host Hotel (1617 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)

FREE and Open to All

7 a.m.

DONNA Health & Wellness Expo, presented by Jacksonville Jaguars and Bold Events

Indoor Dream Finders Homes Flex Field at EverBank Stadium (1 EverBank Stadium Drive, Jacksonville, Fla.)

FREE and Open to the Public, FREE Parking

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

DONNA VIP Welcome Reception, presented by Verizon

O-Ku Sushi (502 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)

Invitation Only

5 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 3

DONNA Health & Wellness Expo, presented by Jacksonville Jaguars and Bold Events

Indoor Dream Finders Homes Flex Field at EverBank Stadium (1 EverBank Stadium Dr, Jacksonville, Fla.)

FREE and Open to the Public, FREE Parking

6:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

DONNA 110 Ultra Marathon

EverBank Stadium (1 EverBank Stadium Drive, Jacksonville, Fla.)

FREE Parking

7:30 a.m. Start

FIS DONNA 5K
Visit Jacksonville DONNA Booby Trap Challenge Day 1

EverBank Stadium (1 EverBank Stadium Drive, Jacksonville, Fla.)

FREE Parking

6:30 a.m. Packet Pickup opens inside the Expo

8 a.m. 5K Start

DONNA Dash

EverBank Stadium (1 EverBank Stadium Drive, Jacksonville, Fla.)

FREE Parking

6:30 a.m. Packet Pickup Opens inside the Expo

9:30 a.m. Fun Run Start

Mayo Clinic presents a DONNA Education Event: Hope and Wellness (NEW!)

EverBank Field (1 EverBank Stadium Drive, Jacksonville, Fla.)

FREE at attend, registration required

10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

DONNA Pasta Party (NEW!)

Courtyard by Marriott Oceanfront (1617 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)

Tickets required; $20 in advance or $30 at the door

5 - 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 4

26.2 with DONNA National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
DONNA National Half Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer
Visit Jacksonville DONNA Booby Trap Challenge Day 2

Seawalk Pavilion (75 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)

6 a.m. Athletes’ Village Opens

7:27 a.m. Adaptive Division presented by Brooks Rehabilitation Start

7:30 a.m. Start

Athletes’ Village presented by Jacksonville Jaguars and Bold Events

Before and after the race, all registered participants enjoy our famous Athletes’ Village to celebrate survivorship. Enjoy music from 97.9 KISS FM and toast your finish in the DONNA Cheers Garden with Sunny Wines, Miller Lite or White Claw, everyone’s favorite hard seltzer. Don't miss the Official DONNA Fearless Series Physical Therapy Sponsor CORA Physical Therapy for post-race therapy. Athletes’ Village will also offer gear check and first aid.

Celebrate Survivorship, presented by IQ Fiber

All DONNA events are a celebration of survivorship! Breast cancer survivors will be honored with personalized race bibs and extra noise across our finish line with your Noisy Cancer Comeback announcer Fitz. Also look for “I’m Running For” back bibs presented by IQ Fiber to honor anyone special to you, available at the Expo.

DONNA Marathon Finish Line VIP Party, hosted by Surfer [The Bar]

Surfer [The Bar] (200 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)

Invitation Only

8:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

DONNA Post-Race Party

Seawalk Pavilion (75 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)

8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

FREE and Open to the Public

26.3 Party hosted by Jeff Galloway

Seawalk Pavilion (75 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Open to All!

DONNA After Party at the Sandbar, with special guest Lindsey Hein, host of “I’ll Have Another” Podcast (NEW!)

The SandBar, SpringHill Suites Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront (465 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.)

10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Open to All!

For a complete weekend schedule of events, visit breastcancermarathon.com/athlete-guide/#scheduleofevents.

COST: Registration remains open online until Feb. 3, 2024 for most events. Please confirm your participation on the website for all pertinent registration information. Virtual options are available.

PARKING: Parking and transportation information for weekend events is available at https://breastcancermarathon.com/athlete-guide/#parking.

SPECTATING THE MARATHON: Spectator information, including traffic impacts and road closure details are available at https://breastcancermarathon.com/spectator-info/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ashley Williams

Wingard

904-707-0475 (mobile)

ashley@wearewingard.com

About The DONNA Foundation:
The DONNA Foundation was established in June of 2003, celebrating its 20th anniversary year, by three-time breast cancer survivor, award-winning journalist and Mayor of the City of Jacksonville Donna Deegan to meet the critical financial needs of the underserved living with breast cancer. Our vision is a world where breast cancer patients are freed from any barriers to their successful treatment. Over the last two decades, the DONNA Foundation has served nearly 20,000 families, securing more than $5.8 million in financial services and debt relief. The organization has also disbursed $3.3 million in support of translational genomics and immune studies and research. The organization also operates in-person and virtual events and programs for survivorship, education and awareness. For more information, visit www.TheDONNAFoundation.org.