Matanzas 5000

Event overview

The Matanzas 5000 is an annual 5K road race held in St. Augustine, Florida. The 46th edition is scheduled for January 24, 2026, with the start and finish at Francis Field on West Castillo Drive. The course is USATF certified (FL12049EBM) and follows a flat, scenic route through historic downtown, along the bay front, past Flagler College, and through nearby neighborhoods. The race is chip timed by 1st Place Sports; participants must cross the timing mats to be included in official results. Final results list both chip time and gun time.

Logistics, prizes, and community support

Prize money totals $4,200. Overall cash prizes are awarded for places 1–5 for male and female finishers; masters, grand masters, and senior grand masters each have cash awards; age-group awards are given 1st–3rd for brackets from 9 & under through 75+. Packet pickup is available at a Jacksonville retail location (1st Place Sports, 3931 Baymeadows Rd) and at Ketterlinus Elementary School (67 Orange St, St. Augustine). Post-race massages are provided by First Coast Rehabilitation. Parking options include a garage next to the finish line (free for early arrivals, $15.00 all-day thereafter), street parking where allowed, Orange Street lots on a first-come basis, a metered Castillo de San Marcos lot (about $1.50/hour, card accepted), and free parking at Prince of Peace Catholic Church (100 San Marco Ave). Proceeds benefit St. Johns County youth running programs, including middle and high school teams and the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind; ACRR reports more than $300,000 donated since 1989. Registration fees are tiered and range approximately from $39.44 to $55.49. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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