Festival of Lights 5K
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Festival of Lights 5K
The Festival of Lights 5K is the 31st annual nighttime winter race in San Marco that raises funds for Children’s Miracle Network of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. The event includes a community 5K and a 1-mile fun run held on streets decorated with festive lights. Proceeds support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals programs benefiting UF Health Jacksonville pediatrics and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
The race offers chip timing for the 5K, participant race shirts, finisher medals for all who complete the course, and jingle bells for shoes. The course has a water station near the halfway point, mile markers, and digital clocks at each mile. Awards are presented to top overall finishers, masters, and multiple age groups; the awards ceremony takes place in San Marco Square. The 5K and One Mile start on Atlantic Blvd in front of Southside Baptist Church and finish on San Marco Blvd in front of 1st Place Sports.
Packet pickup is available at selected 1st Place Sports locations in the days before the race; unclaimed packets are moved to San Marco Square on race day for pickup in Balis Park. Due to limited parking near San Marco Square, offsite parking and shuttle service are provided from the Baptist Medical Center P5 parking garage, located about 0.7 mile north of San Marco Square.
After the race, the San Marco Merchant’s Holiday Magic evening features holiday music, rides, characters, snow machines, and pictures with Santa. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
