Runners Brave Frigid Conditions at Donna Marathon in Jacksonville

Matthew Nelson and Sarah Nelson claim victories as the annual race to finish breast cancer faces its coldest conditions in history.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 1:55pm

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The 19th edition of the Donna Marathon in Jacksonville, Florida, was met with unseasonably frigid weather and blustery winds, turning the annual race into a battle against the elements. Despite the challenging conditions, with temperatures dipping into the single digits and wind chills, thousands of runners came out to participate in the event, which raises funds to fight breast cancer. Matthew Nelson from Ponte Vedra and Sarah Nelson from Chicago emerged victorious in the men's and women's full marathon races, respectively.

Why it matters

The Donna Marathon is a beloved annual event in the Jacksonville community that brings together runners from across the region to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and support. The race's ability to persevere through the extreme cold weather showcases the resilience and dedication of the participants, as well as the strong community spirit that surrounds the event.

The details

Runners faced icy conditions, including icicles on signs and occasional ice patches on the roadways, as well as a frigid wind that drove wind chills into the single digits. Despite the challenging weather, the festive atmosphere of the race remained, with residents building fires along the route to cheer on the participants. Matthew Nelson, a 45-year-old from Ponte Vedra, and Sarah Nelson, a 27-year-old from Chicago, emerged victorious in the men's and women's full marathon races, respectively. In the half marathon events, former Mandarin High School and University of North Florida runner Sem Sultanov and Liina Winborn, a University of Florida graduate, claimed the top spots.

  • The race opened at 27 degrees at the SeaWalk Pavilion, but temperatures dropped even lower in other locations along the 26.2-mile route.
  • At Naval Station Mayport, temperatures were recorded at 24 degrees with a wind chill of 11.
  • The National Weather Service listed a wind chill of 8 in Neptune Beach.

The players

Matthew Nelson

A 45-year-old runner from Ponte Vedra who won the men's full marathon with a time of 2:41:31.

Sarah Nelson

A 27-year-old runner from Chicago who won the women's full marathon with a time of 3:01:15.

Donna Deegan

The Jacksonville mayor and founder of the Donna Marathon, who said the festive atmosphere of the race still thrived despite the extreme cold weather.

Sem Sultanov

A 28-year-old former Mandarin High School and University of North Florida runner who won the men's half marathon with a time of 1:08:23.

Liina Winborn

A University of Florida graduate originally from Finland who set a course record of 1:16:36 in the women's half marathon.

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What they’re saying

“I never ran a race this cold… a little bit colder than what we would have liked, but all good.”

— Matthew Nelson

“It was very cold, but the company made it warm. People were running together, and I found a group and we stuck together and supported each other.”

— Liina Winborn

What’s next

The Donna Foundation, the organizer of the event, will review the feedback and lessons learned from this year's record-breaking cold conditions to ensure the race is prepared for any weather challenges in the future.

The takeaway

The Donna Marathon's ability to persevere through the extreme cold weather showcases the resilience and dedication of the participants, as well as the strong community spirit that surrounds the event. Despite the challenging conditions, the race continued to bring together runners from across the region to raise awareness and funds for a crucial cause, demonstrating the enduring spirit of the Donna Marathon.