Discover the best marathon races within 50 miles of Gainesville
The Five Points of Life Half Marathon is a scenic race through Gainesville, Florida, featuring a mix of rolling hills and flat sections. Runners experience iconic landmarks such as the University of Florida campus, 34th Street Wall, Duck Pond, and historic 16th Avenue, famously known as a training ground for Olympic legend Frank Shorter. With a fast yet varied route, it's ideal for both racing and sightseeing.
The Tom Walker Half Marathon represents one of Florida's premier trail-based half marathon experiences, utilizing the scenic Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail system in north-central Florida. Scheduled for November 9, 2025, this event showcases the natural beauty of Alachua County's converted rail-trail infrastructure. The race operates under the umbrella of the Florida Track Club, emphasizing community engagement and volunteer participation. An interesting tactical element of this event is its comprehensive pacing strategy, offering six different pace groups ranging from competitive 1:30 finish times down to recreational 2:20 targets, all specifically designed for continuous running rather than walk-run strategies.
The Tom Walker Half Marathon is a technically challenging and scenically rewarding 21.1 km event held on the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail. Notably, the second mile features a 34-foot elevation gain – one of the course's most demanding sections, requiring strategic pacing adjustments. The race is a focal point for Florida runners, with structured pacing groups (6:52–10:40/km) to accommodate diverse abilities and a strict 3-hour time limit.
A USATF-certified half marathon held on the Hawthorne Trail in Floridian countryside, featuring an out-and-back course with two laps (26.2 km loop). Notable for its scenic trail route and 'running your buns off' theme, including cinnamon-bun finisher rewards. This race offers a unique blend of competitive age-group awards and a community-focused atmosphere with hydration stations positioned strategically every 1.3 miles.
The Florida Track Club Marathon, also known as the FTC Mary Andrews Marathon, is a fast and flat race held on the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail in Hawthorne, Florida. The event is organized by the Florida Track Club and is a USATF-certified Boston Qualifier, popular for its friendly atmosphere and PR potential[6][8][12].
The FTC Mary Andrews Half Marathon is a fast, flat out-and-back race that takes place on the scenic asphalt-paved Gainesville Hawthorne Trail in central Florida. This Boston Qualifier event has gained recognition for its exceptional qualifying rate, with nearly 50% of participants achieving their Boston Marathon qualifying times in recent years.
A USATF-certified half marathon held on a shaded, smooth asphalt trail in Hawthorne, Florida. Participants complete two laps of an out-and-back course on the scenic Hawthorne Trail. The event is known for its family-friendly nature, stroller accessibility, and gourmet cupcakes at the finish line.
A compact charity running event benefiting the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches' programs for at-risk youth. Notable for its intimate participant numbers (<100 across all race distances) and scenic multi-lap course. Unlike mass-produced races, this event offers minimal crowds and a concentrated running community atmosphere.
The Ocho de Mayhem Half Marathon is a technically demanding trail race exceeding the traditional 13.1-mile distance (typically ~13.7 miles), distinguished by a 4.5-hour cutoff accommodating both trail runners and hikers. Trail Sister Approved, this annual spring event emphasizes community support for female participants while challenging all runners with Florida's rolling terrain and technical paths.
The Ocala Half Marathon is an annual event held in Ocala, Florida, typically in January. While primarily focused on 13.1-mile competitors, the event also includes a 5K and half marathon relay teams. Key features include finisher medals for all participants, age-group awards, and a relay team competition. The race starts early morning with staggered wave times and offers a community-oriented atmosphere with post-race ceremonies and local amenities.
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