There are few better places to run a December race than in Florida, where the air temperatures rarely drop below freezing and the water stays around 72° year-round. Now in its 6th year, the Panama City Beach Marathon and additional category races offer novice and young racers a fun and entertaining race experience and running fanatics the opportunity to test their limits during the holiday season. The best thing? You get to run right next to the breath-taking, white-sugar sand and award-winning beaches!
On Saturday, Dec. 4, runners will take to the paths where thousands of residents and visitors have congregated on the 26.2 miles of Panama City Beach. This year, athletes from just about every state and multiple countries are already registered. Online registration closed November 5th, 2021, but you may still register at Pakcet Pickup on Friday, December 3rd at Dave & Busters.
Marathon
The race will start at 7 a.m. at Pier Park in Panama City Beach and ends in Pier Park. And then more fun begins at the after party at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville where they’ll be serving complimentary gumbo for all runners and beer for runners age 21 years or older, of course! Margaritaville will then open to the public at 10:30 a.m. and will offer runners, friends and family 15% off merchandise.
Half Marathon & 5K
The Panama City Beach Half Marathon will begin at 7:30 a.m., the 5K will start at 8 a.m. and a kid’s fun run will begin at 9:30 a.m. The Start/Finish Line is located north of Margaritaville on Pier Park Drive. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Haney Technical Center to provide educational opportunities for students and the training necessary to meet the needs in today’s changing global workplace.
Boston Marathon Qualifier
The Marathon and Half Marathon is a certified course and all Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Finishers will receive a medal at the finish line. Awards will be given for first, second and third in each division. As a qualifying race, the Panama City Beach Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier! Any participants in this year’s race that run a qualifying time based on their age and gender according to Boston requirements, will be eligible to register for the Boston Marathon in 2023.
Registering for the Races
Register online here. Online Registration closes November 5, 2021 at 11 p.m.
You can still register in person at Dave & Busters through Dec. 3 if space permits but there is no race day registration available.
Packet Pickup
Early Packet Pickup
Packet Pick Up will take place on Dec. 3 at Dave & Buster’s located in Pier Park (15701 LC Hilton Jr. Dr., Panama City Beach, FL 32413)
Time: 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Race Day Packet Pickup
Race Day Packet Pick Up will take place at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Main Deck located in Pier Park (16230 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32413)
Time: 6:30 to 8 a.m.
You can find additional information, course descriptions, etc., at www.pcbmarathon.com
Rentals Near the Race
We recommend Panama City Beach vacation rentals near Pier Park that are located just steps or a short drive, away.
Options include Calypso Resort & Towers are Gulf-front with quick access to the beach, Sterling Breeze Panama City Beach’s spacious one, two, and three-bedroom units offer stunning Gulf-front views, the elegant 22-story high rise condos at the Aqua Beach Resort, the luxury high-rise resort condos at the Tidewater Beach Resort situated on one of the Panama City Beach area’s largest private beaches, or Gulf front Splash Resort condo rentals with family-friendly amenities including a seasonally heated and covered pool, hot tub, seasonally heated sunbathing pool, toddler safe splashpad, lazy river, dive-in theater and a covered mini-waterpark with slides and giant splash bucket.
One of these beautiful, relaxing, amenity-driven accommodations is right for you!
