Community First Thanksgiving Distance Classic
About the race
The Community First Thanksgiving Distance Classic is one of the largest fall running events in Jacksonville, with over 4,000 participants each Thanksgiving morning.
This will be the 43rd running of the Thanksgiving Distance Classic. The event started in 1984 with 500 runners in the half marathon, and the shorter distance races were not offered until later.
The event is a major fund raiser for the Mandarin Food Bank and will also provide funds to help build and maintain a new three-mile running/walking path in the Aterro Recreation Park on Sunbeam Road.
Race day start times
November 26, 2026
Pickwick Plaza
- 7:00 AM Half Marathon
- 5k and 1 mile will start at 6:50am
Packet pickup
Packets are available for pick up at your selected 1st Place Sports location on Tuesday, November 24th from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Wednesday, November 25th from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
The course
The half marathon course was point to point the first year, starting at Flynn Park and finishing at Pickwick Park Shopping Center, which is still its finish location.
Race weekend schedule
Location
Pickwick Plaza, Jacksonville, FL, USA Open in Google Maps
City insight: Jacksonville
Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida by area, on the St. Johns River and the Atlantic coast, with long beaches and a flat landscape. The climate is humid subtropical: summers (June to September) are hot and humid with storms, autumn is warm with some hurricane risk, winters (December to February) are mild, and spring is warm. Autumn to spring is the best time for racing. The city has an international airport.
Social profiles