The Florida Marathon is a very scenic and mostly flat course with four bridge crossings and twenty musical acts along the course.
From the Race Organizers - Located in Melbourne on Florida's Space Coast, between Miami and Jacksonville, east of Orlando and Tampa, the Publix Florida Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Weekend makes for a perfect warm winter running destination for runners of all ages and levels. It is held a month after the Disney Marathon. Like a Rock-n-Roll marathon, our event includes up to 20 musical acts along the course of the half and full marathon and half a dozen on the routes of the 5-k and 8-k races.
The Florida Marathon was the 224th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 237th largest in 2022.
This year 5.9% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 6.6% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Florida Marathon the 286th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 75th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.04 ranks it as the 189th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 16th fastest course in Florida.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are slightly above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Florida Marathon a PR Score of 98.54. This PR Score ranks it as the 208th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 9th fastest in Florida.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Florida Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 70 feet (21m) Min Elevation: 2 feet (0m)
Beautiful Scenery over Two Causeways that we call the Florida Mountains!! Great Volunteer Support!! Great Medals!! Great T-Shirts!! Great Before and After Parties!!
Race Tips
Wind, Rain, Cold or Hot Sunshine - Be Ready for Anything!!
LOVED THE WARM-UP, AND SUPER FUN RACE START!!! THE COURSE IS BEAUTIFUL WITH THE BEST ENTERTAINMENT AROUND. NICE MEDALS, AWESOME VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORT--HARD TO FIND NICER PEOPLE IN THIS DAY AND AGE, SO IT WAS WELCOME. VERY NICE POST RACE FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS AND PLENTY OF IT! WORTH THE TRIP...IT'S NOT A RIP OFF, A GIMICK RACE OR A BIG CITY HUSTLE RACE!
Race Tips
ENJOY THE VIEWS. THE TWO BRIDGES ARE REAL CHALLENGES, BUT THE PAY OFF WORTH IT.
PLENTY OF PARKING OPTIONS. LOTS OF LOCAL RESTAURANTS TO CHOOSE FROM, NOT YOUR ORDINARY CRAPPY CHAINS UNLESS YOU WANT THEM. LOVED THE MANSION,WHICH ALSO SPONSORED THE RACE.
DLR's review of 2018 Florida Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Beautiful waterfront course, awesome volunteers and management and a flat course Except for those bridges! Lots of music along the way.
Race Tips
Could be 45 degrees or could be 80 degrees- it is February in Central Florida.
Parking is pretty easy to find. Far more 1/2 marathoners than marathoners so plenty of room for marathoners as they start 30 minutes earlier. Lots of restaurants nearby and great beaches.
