Southernmost Marathon & Half Marathon

Saturday, October 10, 2020 • Key West, FL • Course Map

More than 400 runners and walkers crossed the finish line each year at Key West’s Southernmost Marathon and Half Marathon, which takes runners along the shoreline of — just as its name suggests — the southernmost point in the contiguous United States, here along the tip of South Florida, roughly 90 miles across the Gulf of Mexico from Cuba.

Runners and walkers — the half marathon is open to both — will start the out-and-back course for the race near the western end of the island, at the Rum Barrel Bar & Restaurant at Front Street and Simonton Street. From there, the half marathoners and the full marathoners will follow the same course for roughly the first 7 1/2 miles, heading around the western and southern edges of the island to U.S. 1.

The first few miles of the race — which is virtually all flat throughout, and never higher than a few feet above sea level — take runners through Key West’s Old Town neighborhood, where most of the tourist attractions and signature Key West-style architecture can be found, everything from restored wooden homes with lush tropical trees and plants growing outside to the Ernest Hemingway House, where the legendary author lived throughout most of the 1930s.

After reaching the end of South Street they’ll be at the actual location of the Southernmost Point of the continental U.S., a giant red, black and yellow bullet-shaped landmark that’s pretty impossible to miss.

Next, the course heads to Higgs Beach and then to South Roosevelt Boulevard, which will take runners for the next few miles to the intersection with U.S. 1. The course keeps going from there, though, turning right and across the Overseas Bridge and running the length of nearby Stock Island before reaching the turnaround point.

Once they make the turnaround, runners recross the bridge, this time turning right again and running the top half of the island before crossing the finish line on Front Street.

Duval Street in Old Town Key West, Florida. (Photo by Marc Averette/Wikimedia)

Duval Street in Old Town Key West, Florida. (Photo by Marc Averette/Wikimedia)

Race Weather & Climate

Located along the westernmost of the Florida Keys, famously 90 miles from Cuba and roughly 160 miles southwest of Miami, Key West typically sees October temperatures between 76ºF and 85ºF, while rainfall totals average just over 4.3 inches, making it one of the city’s wetter months of the year.

On the day of the race (Oct. 10), the average low is 77ºF and the average high is 86ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the Southernmost Half Marathon course map here.

Starting Time

  • 5:30 AM – full marathon
  • 5:45 AM – half marathon
  • 7:30 AM – 5K

Fees

  • $69 and up for the half marathon
  • $89 and up for the full marathon
  • $25 and up for the 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2020 running of Key West’s Southernmost Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at Active.com here.

Official Race Website

somomarathon.com

Comments

Ever run in the Southernmost Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: October, Florida

4 comments… add one
  • Jackie September 6, 2018, 3:33 pm

    Hello, I would very much like to run the marathon, however your site provides very little help in making this happen. I am traveling from out of state and am looking to find out WHO the host hotel it. WHERE I can stay. WHAT airport to fly into and HOW far that airport is from the hotel. I will not have a car, so I am trying to arrange this, but your site provides ZERO, but the price and sign up. Also, is there an expo.??

    Reply
  • Kathy Kleiber October 9, 2016, 11:26 am

    GOT ‘ER DONE!!

    Completed the 10k this morning in Sarasota
    Verified by Studio South Fitness

    entrant: Kathleen Kleiber
    age: 63
    6.2 miles @81.01minutes 13.066mm (TREADMILL)
    missing all the fun…catch you next year!!

    T-shirt design?

    Reply
  • Kathy Kleiber October 8, 2016, 4:41 pm

    Matthew kept us from traveling to Key West…..but….
    the race is still on for me in Sarasota.

    The Storm also kicked up Red Tide so bad here that I won’t
    be running outside here either.

    PRESSING ON====== I will be on the tread mlll @ Studio South in Sarasota
    tomorrow @ 7:30 thinking of you fellow Runners in my favorite place….
    “KEY WEST” . I phoned the gym and the Great Staff there have set me up
    with an official time keeper.

    Sending you ALL my best wishes for a successful & fun run!!! Kathy

    Reply

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