2026 Tallahassee Marathon
The 2026 Tallahassee Marathon will take place on Sunday, February 8, 2026, starting at 7:30 AM from the Leon County Courthouse area at 301 S Monroe Street in Tallahassee, Florida. The event features a half marathon and a relay, with the half marathon finishing near College Town, adjacent to Doak Campbell Stadium at Florida State University. On the morning of the event, Tallahassee is expected to have a high of around 65°F (18°C) with partly cloudy skies and light winds, creating favorable conditions for road running. Participants can expect a scenic route that showcases the historic neighborhoods, rolling terrain, and the iconic paved St. Marks Trail, offering a mix of urban and natural landscapes throughout the course. The marathon and half marathon courses are USATF-certified, making them eligible for Boston Marathon qualifying times, and the relay offers a team-based challenge across four legs.
What distances are available for this event?
- →Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- →Full Marathon (26.2 miles)
- →Marathon Relay (four-person teams)
What is the event schedule and timing?
- →The event starts at 7:30 AM on Sunday, February 8, 2026
- →The half marathon and full marathon begin at the same time
- →The marathon relay is structured in four sequential legs
What are the course details for the half marathon?
- →The course begins at the Leon County Courthouse
- →It travels east on Tennessee Street, through neighborhoods like Betton Hills, Myers Park, and Cascades Park
- →Runners continue south on FAMU Way before finishing in College Town near Florida State University
- →The route features gentle rolling terrain typical of Tallahassee
What are the course details for the full marathon?
- →The full marathon includes the entire half marathon route
- →It continues with an additional loop through residential areas
- →A highlight segment is the fast, flat out-and-back stretch on the paved St. Marks Trail
- →The course has a modest total elevation gain with rolling hills
What are the course details for the marathon relay?
- →Leg 1: 6.4 miles through urban neighborhoods
- →Leg 2: 6.5 miles through residential areas including an exchange at Cascades Park
- →Leg 3: 6.5 miles transitioning to the St. Marks Trail
- →Leg 4: 6.5 miles on the trail and finishing in College Town
What are the course certification and qualifying status?
- →Both the half marathon and full marathon courses are USATF-certified (FL26003JK and FL26004JK)
- →The courses are eligible for Boston Marathon qualifying times
What are the time requirements for participants?
- →The overall course cutoff is 6 hours
- →Half marathoners must maintain a minimum pace of 15:00 per mile
- →Full marathoners and relay teams must maintain a minimum pace of 13:44 per mile
Who organizes the event?
- →The event is organized entirely by volunteers from the Gulf Winds Track Club, a local non-profit running organization
What awards and prizes are offered?
- →Prize money is awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers in both the half marathon and full marathon
- →Additional prize money is awarded to top masters finishers in both distances
What are the requirements for participants?
- →All participants must wear World Athletics-approved footwear
- →The event follows competition rules set by World Athletics
What is the significance of the St. Marks Trail in the course?
- →The St. Marks Trail is a paved rail-trail that provides a fast, flat, and scenic segment in the latter half of the full marathon
- →It offers a smooth surface and open views, adding a unique element to the course
What is the overall experience of the event?
- →The event provides an authentic capital city experience
- →Runners will encounter rolling hills, historic neighborhoods, and the university atmosphere
- →The course is designed to be "fun and fast" while highlighting the character of Tallahassee