Gate River Run 15K
The Lowdown
The Gate River Run 15K is a 15-kilometer road race through downtown Jacksonville, Florida, held every year on the first Saturday of March. Founded in 1978 by the Jacksonville Track Club as the River Run 15,000, it has been presented by Gate Petroleum since 1994 and has served as the USA 15K Championship in most years since then. The course starts at the Jacksonville Shipyards on East Bay Street and crosses two bridges over the St. Johns River, including the Hart Bridge at mile 7, a 140-foot climb over half a mile that is the race's signature challenge, followed by a fast downhill finish. More than 13,000 runners typically take part, making it the largest 15K in the United States. The 2027 edition marks the race's 50th running. All finishers receive a medal and a technical shirt, and the event is a member of the Professional Road Running Organization (PRRO) Circuit.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
Jacksonville Shipyards
Hart Bridge
Main Street Bridge
St. Johns River
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
US
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Open to all ages; runners must be able to maintain roughly a 20-minute-per-mile pace to clear the Hart Bridge course cutoff at mile 7.5
Required Documents
- Government-issued photo ID for in-person bib pickup
Entry Methods
- Online registration via Race Roster
Cancellation & Refund Policy
No refunds for race-day cancellation; any deferral or transfer options are announced by organizers closer to race day
2027 is the 50th running of the Gate River Run.
The race did not host the USATF 15K Championship in 2025 due to a scheduling conflict with the USA Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta the following day; championship status for 2027 has not been confirmed.
Wave 1 seeds the top 4,600 runners; total field capacity extends to roughly 18,100 across four waves.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.

