JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 The DONNA Foundation opened registration on Tuesday for the 20th running of DONNA Marathon Weekend, a milestone celebration that will bring thousands of runners, survivors, volunteers and supporters to Jacksonville Feb. 5-7, 2027.<\/p>\n
The event serves as the cornerstone of the foundation\u2019s Survivorship, Education and Awareness Program. As the organization\u2019s premier annual fundraiser, the weekend celebrates people living with breast cancer while generating funding for support services, financial relief and research.<\/p>\n
More than 300,000 athletes have crossed DONNA finish lines since the series began in 2008. The foundation says those runners have helped it serve more than 22,000 families, secure more than $7 million in financial services and debt relief, and invest more than $3.3 million in breast cancer research.<\/p>\n
The 2027 theme, \u201cLove in Motion,\u201d honors two decades of survivors, families, volunteers and runners and celebrates the power of choosing hope over fear. The theme was inspired by founder Donna Deegan\u2019s memoir, Through Rose Colored Glasses, and her message of seeing life \u201cthrough rose-colored glasses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donna Deegan, Jacksonville\u2019s mayor and a three-time breast cancer survivor, launched the race series to help families facing breast cancer overcome financial barriers to care. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere may be more hills to climb, but I hold fast to the belief that nothing is impossible when we choose love over fear,\u201d Deegan said. \u201cThe 20th running of DONNA Marathon Weekend is a milestone worthy of celebration, and I look forward to running beside so many of our friends, family, supporters and survivors next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The foundation is continuing its partnership with Hilton Jacksonville at Mayo Clinic as the official host hotel for the weekend, including the Health & Wellness Expo and post-race celebrations.<\/p>\n
DONNA Marathon Weekend draws participants from across the country and generates more than $4 million in annual economic impact for Northeast Florida, organizers said. Events begin at Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach and include the marathon, half marathon, 5K, DONNA Dash and the third annual Pete\u2019s Bar DONNA Crawl.<\/p>\n
Throughout the anniversary year, participants can expect commemorative programming, expanded storytelling, enhanced survivor recognition and special fundraising opportunities.<\/p>\n