Cow Ford 50 Miler

Event Overview

The Cow Ford 50 Miler is described as Jacksonville's first 50-plus mile urban ultramarathon. The event frames itself as an exploration of the city's history, waterways, and neighborhoods.

The Course

The course covers a distance of approximately 50 miles. It is formatted as five sequential segments through Jacksonville. The terrain consists primarily of paved roads, shared-use paths, bridges, and greenways. The setting moves through historic districts, riverfront neighborhoods, suburban corridors, and downtown streets. The elevation is described as generally flat with notable bridge climbs.

The five course segments are:

• Segment 1 - Springfield Loop (~9.60 miles): Passes through the Historic Eastside, Springfield Historic District, Durkeeville, and Brooklyn neighborhoods. It includes the Hogan's Creek Greenway.
• Segment 2 - Ortega Loop (~13.45 miles): Goes through Riverside, Avondale, and Ortega, featuring tree-canopied streets and views of the Ortega River.
• Segment 3 - SUP to Baymeadows (~11.10 miles): Covers the Southbank/San Marco edges, San Jose Area, and Baymeadows corridor, characterized by longer straightaways.
• Segment 4 - Old Kings Road to Acosta Bridge (~10.40 miles): Follows the Old Kings Road corridor and includes a crossing of the Acosta Bridge.
• Segment 5 - Urban Core Finish (~6.65 miles): Concludes in the Urban Core, passing civic buildings and landmarks, and includes the Main Street Bridge.

A GPX/KMZ file for navigation will be provided to participants, who are responsible for following the route. The event notes that the course is 98% accessible via roadway, bike path, or sidewalk, with one section in Ortega having no sidewalk or shoulder for about a mile.

Event Details

There is a 16-hour time cutoff (averaging 19 minutes per mile). Awards include top three overall for male and female participants, masters and grandmasters awards, and various random awards, including one for the final finisher.

Aid stations will be available, with 6-7 stations planned. Some will be manned with water, Skratch electrolytes, and standard fare, while others will be unmanned coolers. Participants are advised that there are also areas to stop at convenience stores or other businesses along the route.

Crews are permitted only in designated areas, with a limit of one crew vehicle per participant. Pacers are allowed from approximately the halfway point for most runners, and from around the 18-20 mile mark for runners aged 60 and over. All pacers must sign a waiver, and only one pacer is allowed at a time.

Safety and Guidelines

The event emphasizes runner safety, noting there are no street closures or police presence. Participants must obey all traffic laws, use crosswalks, and avoid jaywalking. After 6:00-6:30 PM, a headlamp and safety lights/vest with blinking lights are required. Participants are encouraged to carry cash or a credit card for potential supplies. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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