The Jacksonville Great Fire Run

Saturday, May 6, 2023 Past event

8:30 AM EDT

Jacksonville, Florida

$24.00–$39.00 · 2 races

5km, 10 Mile

Event summary

Get ready for an exciting and meaningful experience at the Jacksonville Great Fire Run! On Saturday, May 4th, 2024, join us in downtown Jacksonville, Duval, for a spirited 5km race that commemorates the historic Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901. As you run along the outline of the fire's boundary, you'll not only challenge yourself physically but also pay tribute to a pivotal moment in the city’s history, where a single spark led to the largest metropolitan fire in the American South, devastating the area but also showcasing its resilience.

This vibrant event invites runners of all ages and skill levels to participate in a fun and engaging atmosphere while supporting the Jacksonville Historical Society. Lace up your running shoes and be part of a race that combines fitness, history, and community spirit. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to honor Jacksonville’s past while creating new memories!

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Races

The Jacksonville Great Fire 5k Run

Incl. T-Shirt (A=Adult, Y=Youth, W=Women, M=Men)

This race is a chip timed 5km run.

7:30 AM EDT

$39.00

Entries closed
1 Mile (Chip Timed)

Incl. T-Shirt (A=Adult, Y=Youth, W=Women, M=Men)

This race is a chip timed 1mile run.

8:30 AM EDT

$24.00

Entries closed

Organiser's description

Join us on Saturday, May 4th, 2024 in downtown Jacksonville for the Jacksonville Great Fire Run 5km. This race will follow the outline of the Great Fire boundary of May 3rd, 1901. The Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901 was the largest metropolitan fire in the American South. The fire began on May 3, 1901, with a spark from a kitchen fire at lunchtime that ignited piles of drying Spanish moss at a nearby mattress factory.

Located at Davis and Beaver streets, the factory fire soon spread to most of the downtown area. Smoke could be seen as far north as Savannah, Georgia.

By 8:30 p.m., when the fire was brought under control, 2,368 buildings were destroyed, 10,000 people were homeless and seven residents were dead. In all, 146 city blocks were destroyed. The Confederate Monument in Hemming Park was one of the few city landmarks to survive the fire.

This event supports Jacksonville Historical Society.