Thanksgiving Distance Classic Half Marathon & 5K

Thursday, November 24, 2022 • Jacksonville, FL • Course Map

A fast and flat race that takes runners along a course that’s just a stone’s throw from the St. John’s River that cuts through the heart of Jacksonville, the Thanksgiving Distance Classic Half Marathon (formerly the Subaru Distance Classic Half Marathon) takes runners through the section of the city known as the Southside or Mandarin neighborhoods of Jacksonville, and thanks to its timing offers runners a guilt-free way to enjoy their meals later in the day.

From the starting line on San Jose Boulevard, in front of the Outback Mandarin Plaza, the race follows what can be described roughly as a figure-eight course through this neighborhood’s city streets, running down San Jose Boulevard to Oak Bluff Lane, and then turning onto Scott Mill Road for the next couple of miles.

When Scott Mill Road hits Mandarin Road, runners then turn left (west) and follow Mandarin for the next mile or so until the intersection with Brady Road, where runners again turn left and head south.

The course follows Brady Road as it loops southward and meets up with Flynn Road, where runners turn onto Flynn and begin heading northward again, passing by local city parks like Alberts Park and Flynn Park, all the while under the shade of the giant oak trees for which the city is known, especially the stretches of the race along the St. John’s River.

After completing the lower loop of the course and heading up Flynn Road onto Loretto, runners then head north back up the route they ran earlier along Scott Mill Road, heading up toward the upper loop of the race.

The last couple of miles of the race feature a tour of the peninsula-like area along Forest Circle and Beauclerc Road, as runners make their way out to the point and back and then head toward the finish along Pickwick Drive, passing by the city park Pickwick Park on the way to the finish line at the Outback Steakhouse parking lot, where the awards ceremony for half marathon and 5K finishers will begin at 9:30 AM.

The 2021 running of the race will be its 38th annual, and runners should be aware that the course will remain open to traffic throughout the event (though runners and the course will be monitored and protected by the local sheriff’s department). The race is also part of the Jacksonville Grand Prix series of road race events, a series of 16 local running events throughout the year.

Race Weather & Climate

Located about a two-hour drive south of Savannah, in the northeastern corner of Florida, the city of Jacksonville typically sees mild to moderately cool weather conditions in the mid-fall season, and November usually brings the area’s driest weather of the year on average. In November, average monthly temperatures range between 72°F and 55°F, while rainfall totals average around 2.35 inches for the month.

On race day (Nov. 24), the average low is 52ºF and the average high is 70ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Thanksgiving Distance Classic Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

6:50 AM

Fees

  • $51 – $76 for the half marathon
  • $31 – $51 for the 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2022 running of the Thanksgiving Distance Classic Half Marathon & 5K, register online at RaceRoster.com here.

Official Race Website

thanksgivingdistanceclassic.com

Comments

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