Jekyll Island Marathon

Jekyll Island, United States of America 18 Jan, 2026

The marathon is a 26.2-mile race held annually in January on Jekyll Island, a barrier island off the coast of Georgia. It is distinctive for being the only marathon hosted on any of Georgia’s barrier islands. The route is a single loop, beginning near Shell Road and Beachview Drive, and includes a short out-and-back section. The course takes runners on paved pathways and quiet roads through a setting that features maritime forests, salt marshes, and wide beaches.

The setting is characterized by diverse natural scenery and notable historic sites. Runners pass under the canopy of live oak trees, alongside the island’s shoreline, and through the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark district, an area known for its ongoing restoration work and historic cottages. The course also incorporates views of Driftwood Beach, the Historic Village, and other iconic landmarks.

The course is described as very flat, with its surface predominantly consisting of tarmac and paved roads, and occasional mixed surfaces. This flat profile makes the event accessible to a wide range of runners and provides an opportunity for personal best times. The course holds USATF (USA Track & Field) certification and serves as a Boston Marathon qualifying event. There are no published pace groups or official elevation data, but aid stations are frequent and support is considered strong for an event of its size.

Average temperatures during the event are mild for winter, typically between 43°F and 61°F. The event is generally described as having a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, with a smaller field of participants compared to many urban marathons. In addition to the full marathon, the race weekend includes a half marathon, 10K, and shorter distances, providing options for various levels of runners.

Overall, the event is notable for its rare location, flat course, historic and natural settings, and eligibility as a Boston Marathon qualifier.

Generic Marathon Time This represents the time you would expect to run a "generic" marathon in. This is a marathon with around 250 m (800 ft) of elevation gain and a temperature around 10°C (50°F). For best results, use our Race Predictor.

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Jekyll Island Marathon Time


Statistics

Elevation
Elevation Gain 73 m 240 ft
Elevation Low 1 m 3 ft
Elevation High 7 m 23 ft
Weather
Expected Temperature (Low) 6°C 43°F
Expected Temperature (High) 16°C 61°F
Chance of Rain 7%

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The marathon is a 26.2-mile race held annually in January on Jekyll Island, a barrier island off the coast of Georgia. It is distinctive for being the only marathon hosted on any of Georgia’s barrier islands. The route is a single loop, beginning near Shell Road and Beachview Drive, and includes a short out-and-back section. The course takes runners on paved pathways and quiet roads through a setting that features maritime forests, salt marshes, and wide beaches.

The setting is characterized by diverse natural scenery and notable historic sites. Runners pass under the canopy of live oak trees, alongside the island’s shoreline, and through the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark district, an area known for its ongoing restoration work and historic cottages. The course also incorporates views of Driftwood Beach, the Historic Village, and other iconic landmarks.

The course is described as very flat, with its surface predominantly consisting of tarmac and paved roads, and occasional mixed surfaces. This flat profile makes the event accessible to a wide range of runners and provides an opportunity for personal best times. The course holds USATF (USA Track & Field) certification and serves as a Boston Marathon qualifying event. There are no published pace groups or official elevation data, but aid stations are frequent and support is considered strong for an event of its size.

Average temperatures during the event are mild for winter, typically between 43°F and 61°F. The event is generally described as having a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, with a smaller field of participants compared to many urban marathons. In addition to the full marathon, the race weekend includes a half marathon, 10K, and shorter distances, providing options for various levels of runners.

Overall, the event is notable for its rare location, flat course, historic and natural settings, and eligibility as a Boston Marathon qualifier.

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