Panama City Beach Marathon

Panama City Beach Marathon is held in Panama City Beach, Florida, on December 5, 2026, with three staggered starts: the marathon (26.2 miles) at 7:00 AM, the half marathon (13.1 miles) at 7:30 AM and the 5K at 8:00 AM. The spread means groups can enter different distances and still meet at the finish within a reasonable window.

A coastal December marathon is an appealing target for a first attempt at the distance or for a Boston qualifying effort, since the season usually delivers manageable temperatures and the terrain along the Gulf tends to be flat. Give yourself a 16-week build with a weekly long run climbing toward 20 miles, plus a couple of runs at goal marathon pace to rehearse fueling. If you are running the half instead, the same structure works at roughly half the volume, and the 5K makes a fine option for anyone traveling with a marathoner.