Donna Marathon to return to in-person racing for 2022

Time for the Beaches to circle the second weekend in February 2022 on the calendar again — and to write it in pink.

The Donna Marathon will return to in-person competition for the 2022 event, the Donna Foundation announced Thursday, returning the 26.2-mile tradition to the roads in the annual race to finish breast cancer.

And after a year of running separately, the central message for the 2022 race is short: "Together."

The 2021 marathon weekend was a virtual-only event because of complications stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

But pink-clad runners and cheering crowds are returning to the festivities for the next Donna Marathon weekend on Feb. 11-13, 2022.

The marathon weekend will form part of the Fearless Series for 2022, the 15th edition of the annual run started by race founder Donna Deegan in February 2008.

No further details were confirmed about the marathon route, although beginning in 2019, the race began and finished at the Beaches Town Center along the boundary of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. The event will also serve as a qualifier for races in the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Ranking, including the Boston Marathon.

Although runners will be able to return for the traditional group start, the foundation said a virtual option will remain available.

In addition to raising millions of dollars to date for breast cancer research and support, the annual event typically draws crowds of friends and local residents decorating the course in bright pink and cheering runners — including many cancer survivors — along the marathon course.

The 2020 race included 588 finishers at full marathon distance and 3,050 in the half marathon, along with many other participants in additional events during the weekend.