The Tom Walker Half Marathon and 5K is Sunday, Nov. 8, from First Magnitude Brewing on the paved Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail. Half starts 7:30 a.m.

The Tom Walker Half Marathon and 5K is the Florida Track Club’s fall race on the paved Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, and the 2026 race is Sunday, Nov. 8, starting from First Magnitude Brewing, 1220 SE Veitch St. The half marathon starts at 7:30 a.m. and costs $75 through Oct. 29; the 5K starts at 8 a.m.

Last checked 2026-10-20.

Upcoming dates

  • Sun. Nov. 8, 7:30 a.m.: half marathon (course closes at 11 a.m.)
  • Sun. Nov. 8, 8 a.m.: 5K
  • Sun. Nov. 8, from 6:15 a.m.: packet pickup at the start

The half marathon has a 3.5-hour time limit. The race is held once a year, and the Florida Track Club puts on 12 races a year in all.

Where it is and parking

Both races start at First Magnitude Brewing, 1220 SE Veitch St., southeast of downtown Gainesville, and run on the paved Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail.

The organizer’s race-day map shows four parking areas:

  • Area 1 is the one the club recommends: plenty of spaces and close to the start.
  • Area 2 is a little farther away, for overflow.
  • Areas 3 and 4 are First Magnitude’s own lots, which the club warns fill up fast. Enter Area 3 from Main Street.

The course is on the trail, and the organizer does not list any road closures.

Tickets and cost

Register on the race’s RunSignup page, which stays open until one hour before the start.

  • Half marathon: $75 through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 29, then $85 from Oct. 30 until registration closes.
  • 5K: the registration page lists $40; the race description gives $35 through Oct. 29 and $40 from Oct. 30.
  • Florida Track Club members: a $10 discount code for the half and $5 for the 5K, through the member account.

What to know

  • Pacers: the club plans run-only half marathon pacers for 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10 and 2:20 finishes.
  • Water and fuel: the half marathon has three aid stations with water and electrolytes, and gels at the third, about halfway. The 5K has water and electrolytes before and after the race and at the first aid station.
  • Keep right. Runners pass each other going in opposite directions on the trail, so the club asks everyone to use the aid stations on their right.
  • Finisher medals and awards: every half marathon finisher gets a custom medal, with overall, masters and five-year age-group awards. The 5K has overall, masters and 10-year age-group awards. Post-race refreshments are for both races.
  • Shirts: the guaranteed long-sleeve shirt deadline was midnight Oct. 17.
  • Volunteers: the race is run by volunteers, and the club is asking for more through the Volunteer tab on the race page.
  • Contact: theFloridaTrackClub@gmail.com.

For other places to run and ride, see our parks and trails guide, and for more weekend ideas, things to do this month.

Dates and venues as listed on the Visit Gainesville calendar and confirmed on the organizer’s site.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Tom Walker Half Marathon?

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. The half marathon starts at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K at 8 a.m.

Where does the Tom Walker Half Marathon start?

At First Magnitude Brewing, 1220 SE Veitch St., Gainesville. Both races run on the paved Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail.

How much is the Tom Walker Half Marathon?

The half marathon is $75 through Oct. 29 and $85 from Oct. 30 until registration closes. Florida Track Club members get a $10 discount code.

Can I register on race day?

Online registration stays open until one hour before the start, and packet pickup opens at the race at 6:15 a.m.

What is the time limit for the Tom Walker Half Marathon?

The half marathon course time limit is 3.5 hours.