This was my second year running in this event though I did the half-marathon in 2007. In retrospect, I probably should have done the half-marathon in 2008 too. By the time I ran this event, I had completed a packed schedule of races and also just finished coaching for Team In Training, which brought the total four full marathons and three half-marathons in 2008. I was just plain exhausted by the time the Jacksonville Bank Marathon came around.

The course itself is really nice, starting from the Bolles School, a coeducational/residential college-prepatory school here in Jacksonville. The course works its way through the Beauclerc area and into the Mandarin part of town along the St Johns River, much of which is covered with a canopy of trees. While the course can be very humid if the temperature is warm (and it has been the past two years) you can at least take comfort in the fact that there is plenty of shade.

The course makes its way almost to the southern end of Jacksonville and turns around, heading back toward Bolles School. At times, there is nothing to look at and the run can be a little boring, but this is not uncommon with a 26-mile course. Once back in Beauclerc, retracing some of the early miles of the route.

Runners finish by making a loop around the back of the school by going through a field that sits adjacent to the campus. This can be a little hard on the ankles depending on how the weather has been lately and whether the ground is saturated as it was in 2007. Keep in mind that the full marathoners who run through here have already logged 26 miles. They come into the Bolles track through the back entrance and run around the track and through the Finish Line. This allows plenty of seating for family and friends to sit and watch as runners come in.

The course is well-run by the local running shop, 1st Place Sports. The water stops are always manned sufficiently and have plenty of water and Powerade. There are typically two gel stations that offer energy gels to runners.

This race is also part of the Tri-2B-Tuff Challenge which involves three half- or full marathons in three months. You must complete the Marine Corps Half-Marathon, the Outback Distance Classic Half-Marathon and either Jacksonville Bank Half-Marathon or full Marathon. Finishers get a technical shirt (short- or long-sleeve) and a medal.