get ready for one of the most gorgeous road courses you'll ever run...
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The DAYTONA 100 course is North Florida's first point-to-point ultramarathon, spanning over a dozen cities, four counties, and stretching from Atlantic Beach (Jacksonville area) 100 miles south to Ponce Inlet, a gem of a town located on the southern tip of a secluded peninsula, just 10 miles south of Daytona.
From the eclectic feel of Jacksonville and Neptune Beaches, through the upscale communities of Ponte Vedra / Palm Valley, and into America's First City, St. Augustine, the first 35 miles of the DAYTONA 100 offer unparalleled views of the ocean, multi-million dollar estates, and a large dose of history. The "middle section" of the course--from St. Augustine to Beverly Beach--features some true laid-back "Florida" beach towns, including St. Augustine Beach and the beaches of the Palm Coast. It also features the luxe community of Hammock Beach. Finally, the last 33-34 miles of the course pass you through Flagler Beach and Ormond Beach on your way to the finish. After passing through Daytona Beach and Daytona Beach Shores, you'll reach Ponce Inlet and the finish line at world-famous Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. You will enter Davies Park at the foot of the lighthouse--also the location of the Ponce Inlet Veterans Memorial--and pass under the arch near the park pavilion where the celebration begins. |
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Following is a brief recap of each of the sections of the revised 100-mile course:
1. start to mile 13
(JAX beach to ponte vedra/Mickler's Beach)
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The new race start is in Jacksonville Beach, at Beach Blvd. and 1st Street, in front of the JAX Beach Lifeguard Station. You will cross the timing mat and turn north for 3 miles, continuing through Neptune Beach to Atlantic Beach. While the road changes name, runners do not turn until they have passed "One Ocean Resort" and the adjacent parking lot on the right. Then it's a right-hand turn onto 1st Street for one block, then left onto Beach Avenue. At 7th Street, you will turn left for one block, then left again onto Ocean Blvd. and continue south for 3 miles, passing the start line area at Beach Blvd. in JAX Beach. This is Time Station ("TS") #1. For these first six miles and more, the road is a runner-friendly side-street (popular with local runners/cyclists on the weekend) that sees very little vehicular traffic.
Upon returning to eclectic Jacksonville Beach, the city--and the sun--will be just waking up, and you will likely be treated to a gorgeous North Florida sunrise over the ocean and the Jacksonville Beach Pier! |
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Once you run through Jacksonville Beach, you will briefly make your way down Duval Road--right along the beach--until you reach your home for a few miles, Ponte Vedra Boulevard. This street is generally gorgeous, with minimal traffic and some of Florida's most expensive homes (which are more accurately described as "compounds" or "estates"), as you run south through Ponte Vedra Beach.
You will pass right by the famous "TPC at Sawgrass" golf course, that the PGA Tour visits in its "Florida swing" each February. |
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2. ponte vedra / MICKLER'S to st. augustine (miles 15-35)
Just beyond Mile 15, Ponte Vedra Blvd. bends inward to merge with A1A. Before that, however, you will reach Time Station #2 at Mickler's Landing Beach Park, where a mini-aid station will offer water, ice and gels primarily to un-crewed runners. At the turn, you will start running on A1A through beautiful Palm Valley / Guana Preserve. Another mini-aid station will be located on the ocean side just beyond Mile 25, across from the GTM Preserve Exxon station.
At Mile 33, you will turn right and pass over the Frances & Mary Usina (Vilano) Bridge, which deposits you in downtown Historic St. Augustine. Before making the turn onto San Marco Ave., you will arrive at Church of the Nazarene, TS #3, also a water and ice station.
At Mile 33, you will turn right and pass over the Frances & Mary Usina (Vilano) Bridge, which deposits you in downtown Historic St. Augustine. Before making the turn onto San Marco Ave., you will arrive at Church of the Nazarene, TS #3, also a water and ice station.
St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is recognized as America's Oldest City. The DAYTONA 100 course travels right past the historic Castillo de San Marcos, and also through the town center, where locals and tourists alike will cheer you on your way.
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3. st. augustine to MATANZAS INLET
(miles 35-54)
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After briefly touring St. Augustine, you will head over the Bridge of Lions out of St. Augustine, and head back to the beach communities. You'll pass through St. Augustine Beach, which will host a mini aid station at Mile 42 (Publix/Anastasia Plaza), TS #4.
Just beyond Mile 50 near the entrance to Southeast Intracoastal waterway Park, you'll find additional water and ice. You will pass Ft. Matanzas National Monument, then begin crossing the picturesque Matanzas Inlet area. If we have a sunny day for the race (which is quite likely), this section will be run when the sun is at its most powerful. And while the temperature should be moderate, if there is going to be a "hot" section of the course, this stretch will likely be it... |
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4. matanzas to GAMBLE ROGERS
(miles 54-72)
As you continue to make your way south, you will run through Marineland and Florida's famed Palm Coast, including Hammock Dunes. In this section, you will run on the Flagler Beach to Marineland Trail, a paved pedestrian/cycling trail that mirrors A1A all the way past Flagler Beach, until roughly Mile 75. At Mile 59, near the Publix at Hammock Dunes, you'll find TS #5 and full aid station support, with drinks, ice and an assortment of "runner food".
Varn Park is located at Mile 63, right on the ocean. Bathroom facilities there will be open all night. You will cross through the traffic light at Route 100 in Flagler Beach. Just across the Intracoastal Waterway on Route 100 is Wadsworth Park, where the 50-mile and 50-kilometer races will now begin. Flagler Beach is a quintessentially "Florida" laid-back beach town which offers unobstructed ocean views. Continue for two miles to Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area, location of TS #6 and an aid station.
Varn Park is located at Mile 63, right on the ocean. Bathroom facilities there will be open all night. You will cross through the traffic light at Route 100 in Flagler Beach. Just across the Intracoastal Waterway on Route 100 is Wadsworth Park, where the 50-mile and 50-kilometer races will now begin. Flagler Beach is a quintessentially "Florida" laid-back beach town which offers unobstructed ocean views. Continue for two miles to Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area, location of TS #6 and an aid station.
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5. GAMBLE ROGERS to ormond beach
(miles 72-83)
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Once you've reached Flagler County, charging hard to Ormond Beach, you will have most of the course in your rear-view mirror. In eight miles you will reach the light at E. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach and the Mile 83 aid station.
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6. ormond beach to ponce inlet--THE FINISH!
(miles 83-100)
Shortly after Ormond Beach, you arrive in the race's namesake, Daytona Beach, a very active urban area. The route continues through more laid-back Daytona Beach Shores and Wilbur-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, a pretty and quiet town, and home to the tallest lighthouse in Florida at 175 feet--the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse! You will remain on the ocean road (S. Atlantic Avenue) until turning right on Lighthouse Drive and right again on S. Peninsula Drive. Then, just 1/4 mile away, at the base of the Lighthouse, is the "Kay and Ayres Davies Lighthouse Park"--your finish line. Let the celebration begin.
