26.2 Reasons Why I Love The Donna!

As a 7 year repeat runner (Streaker) of the 26.2 with Donna marathon, here is why I Love The Donna. I hope you will join me one day on this amazing race!

1-This is not just a race DAY. It is a race WEEKEND! There are 2 full days of races, one for every member of the family! A 5k, Family Fun Run, 5 person team Relay, half marathon, marathon, and for those that that is just not enough, the 110 mile challenge!  

2- And why not extend that weekend to a week long vacation? Jacksonville is a great race-cation destination with city life and beach relaxation!

3-This is one of the largest 2 day Expos out there and its open to the entire community! This isn’t your average ‘packet pick up!’ Not only do you get a cool swag bag, shirt, and bib, but the huge array of venders give out freebies and host drawings for you to win some cool gear! There are not only running vendors to pick up your running supplies and new race gear, but there are a variety of health and lifestyle vendors as well! And don’t forget about the celebrity speakers you get a chance to get motivated by and meet!

4-And one of those celebrities?  The race founder, Donna Deegan (a 3 time breast cancer survivor). She runs every year with her husband and Dr Edith Perez from the Mayo Clinic, stopping to engage with the community, taking pictures along the way!

5-And the other celebrities? How about Olympians Joan Beniot Samuelson and Jeff Galloway, and this year, the Biggest Loser’s Tera Costa! Every year there are runners representing all 50 states and every country!

6- Don’t want to worry about being in a strange city and not knowing how traffic can be? No worries! The host hotels are in the best locations (one downtown, one at the beach, and one at start!) all with free shuttles to/from the race!

7-The course is Beginner AND Walker Friendly! This is the only race I have come across that actually uses Galloway (run/walk) pacers! And they partner with Jeff Galloway to help train you to complete your first half or full marathon throughout the year! The course is open for 7 hours giving every type of runner and walker a chance to FINISH IT!!

8-Theres no cold muscles here! Yes! We are in Florida! But even when theres a chill in the air, there are Electric heaters and a Warming Tent provided at the Starting Village! ….as well as hot coffee, muffins, and your usual running foods/drinks!

9-Most organized starting corrals ever! Not only are the bibs color coded by corrals, but you are grouped together by your colors before you are called in to enter the official starting area! And then they have volunteers scoping you out to make sure you are in the right corral! Theres no confusion here on getting in with the wrong corral! And no getting ahead with the fasties if you didn’t register yourself that way!

10-Need some last minute motivational words? Don’t worry? Those same guest speakers from the Expo  are at the Starting Line giving us their last minute piece of advice and getting you pumped up!

11-Cant get much more scenic than this USATF certified course! You actually get to run ON the sand! The hard packed sands of Jacksonville beach is the perfect location for an early morning run with the sunrise colors still lingering  in the sky! These are known as the Memory Miles as the boards you signed at the Expo displaying the words ‘Strength, Love, Courage, etc’ are placed on the sand for you to remember why you are running this race! To FINISH breast cancer!

12-And for all you speedies out there, don’t fret! Its only a couple miles worth on the sand! The rest of the closed to traffic course is Florida Flat! Well, except for that little bridge  over the beautiful intercoastal waterways at the end J But at that point, you already see the Finish….at the Mayo Clinic!!...the reason why you even came to run this race!

13-And the reason why you are running?   because this is the ONLY  marathon in the nation where 100% of the race proceeds goes towards breast cancer research (70% Mayo Clinic) and community outreach (30% Donna Foundation)! What more motivation can you get?

14- This is not only a race, but an opportunity to make a difference! At any time you can become a fundraiser to reach the ultimate goal to FINISH breast cancer! It is very interactive with your own fundraising webpage and there are challenges and incentives to reach certain goals!  Not only that, but previous Jaguar owners, the Weavers, have MATCHED funds raised by teams reaching $10,000!

15-Can we say Best Crowd Support Ever?!...It is so absolutely Amazing that it just leaves you speechless the amount of effort the neighborhoods put into showing their support for this race and cause!….Balloons archways that cross the entire street, huge flags, signs the size of billboards, bubble machines (yes, really!), chalk designs all over the road with motivating words. It really warms the heart seeing the money and time they spent making this race so community involved!

 16- And don’t forget the local musicians! Not only are bands provided along the course from Bands Against Breast Cancer, but neighbors come out in their driveways and rock out on their electric guitars and accordions (yep, that’s right!) or you will find a boom box brought out with a long extension cord to pump up your energy!     

17-Endless amount of Supplies! You will never Run out of Fuel on this course!!  Not only will you never see so much GU passed out on a course before in your life, but you also have people in the community at the end of their driveways, setting up their own tables of supplies!!.... water, Gatorade, oranges, bananas, sandwiches, doughnuts, chips, beer, mimosas, medicine, popsicles, you name it , it is always right around the corner!

18-And don’t forget the ice cold Pink Sponges!! Best idea ever! Yes, it can get humid in Florida, but they’ve got you covered!  Literally, take that cold pink sponge, squeeze it over your head, and keep on running!

19-There is a tremendous volunteer opportunity throughout the entire week to put on this event! Your family doesn’t have to run with you, but they can still be apart of the weekend and make a difference too!

20- Best Running Pink Ribbon logo Ever! The previous 7 years it seemed to casually walk or job, but now it is appropriately leaning forward taking breast cancer head on to FINISH it!

21-PINK! Who doesn’t get excited by pink? Its everywhere! …pink ribbon confetti at the starting line, pink running ribbons chalked on the ground the entire course, pink manhole covers! Men dressing in pink, some even in skirts and wigs! Women dressing in pink, and dedicating their pink ribbons to who they are running for!  It’s a great reminder as why we are running!

22-Survivors! Not only do they run alongside you, but they also stand at the end of their driveways quietly with a sign that says ‘Thank you!’ Just Speechless.

23-The Brick Wall.  They have the largest brick wall at Mile 20 that is probably 10 feet high, you can see it a mile away! But it is also is the area with one of the largest cheering stations to help you Break Through and FINISH It!!

24-How appropriate is it to have the After Party celebration at the Mayo Clinic, where 70% of the proceeds go?! There are free drinks, food, massage, a live broadcasting of the race on the jumbo tron (as well as Daytona 500 this year!) What more could you ask for?

25-STAINED GLASS Medal! How unique is that? The fun beach theme with dolphins and the pink running ribbon embodies the beach life!  

26-And its all about the Streakers! For those of us that have raced every year, we are never forgotten! Shirts and different race lanyards have been provided in previous years. This year they outdid themselves by giving us awesome silver running ribbon charms!

26.2-LOVE! The Donna is all about Love! You will never feel so much love during any other race! You are so surrounded by it, it is almost overwhelming at times. And when you cross that Finish Line and you hear your name called, you know that you too, have helped to make a difference to FINISH breast cancer!!


Donations are still being accepted until March 31. Show your support today! www.donate.breastcancermarathon.com/2014marathon/pinkfeet