The Life Time Miami Marathon is a premier road racing event that showcases the city's unique coastal scenery and energetic atmosphere. This loop course takes runners on a journey through some of Miami's most iconic locations, starting and finishing near Bayfront Park. The route crosses the turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay, travels the famous Ocean Drive in South Beach, and winds through the lush, shaded neighborhoods of Coconut Grove, delivering a diverse and visually stunning marathon experience.

A key strategic element of the race is the shared start with half marathon participants, which creates an electric atmosphere from the gun. At approximately kilometer 20.6, the courses split, and marathon runners will experience a noticeable thinning of the field—a significant psychological moment in the race.

While the course is predominantly flat, its defining features are the bridge crossings over the MacArthur, Venetian, and Rickenbacker Causeways. These moderate inclines are relatively short and offer spectacular panoramic views, but they do interrupt your rhythm and require measured effort to preserve energy for the final stages.

Weather plays a critical role in Miami racing conditions. Historical data for late January points to warm and humid conditions on race day. The 6:00 AM start provides some relief, with temperatures typically around 17°C, but expect them to rise into the mid-20s°C as morning advances.

Humidity will climb alongside the temperature, and sun exposure becomes a serious factor, particularly on the exposed causeways. A sound race strategy should incorporate consistent hydration, electrolyte replacement, and sun protection from the opening kilometers.

• Event Date: January 25, 2026
• Event Type: Road Marathon
• GPX Course Length: 42.28 km
• Course Type: Loop
• TrailScore: 38.84
• Total Ascent: 128.63 m
• Total Descent: 128.98 m
• Longest Uphill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 0.33, 0.83 km at an average grade of 2.11%
• Longest Downhill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 1.16, 0.5 km at an average grade of -3.64%
• Steepest Uphill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 0.33, 0.83 km at an average grade of 2.11%
• Steepest Downhill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 1.33, 0.33 km at an average grade of -5.21%
• Significant Climbs:
  • There are a total of 1 significant climbs on the course.
• Significant Descents:
  • There are a total of 3 significant descents on the course.
• Grade Distribution:
  • Flat: 89.8%
  • Minor Incline: 4.3%
  • Minor Decline: 3.5%
  • Moderate Decline: 1.2%
  • Moderate Incline: 0.8%
  • Challenging Decline: 0.4%

The race begins at 6:00 AM, well before sunrise, immersing you in the electric atmosphere of downtown Miami at night. From the start on Biscayne Boulevard, the course quickly heads east onto the MacArthur Causeway, where you'll encounter the first and most significant climb of the day. This ascent is gradual but sustained, lifting you over the main channel of Biscayne Bay while offering spectacular, albeit dark, views of the Port of Miami.

After cresting the bridge around kilometer 1.2, a steep but short descent follows, requiring controlled effort to preserve your legs for the miles ahead.

The route then flattens as it continues across the causeway. You'll reach the southern tip of Miami Beach just as the first hints of dawn appear during civil twilight, running through the quiet streets of the South of Fifth neighborhood before turning north onto the famed Ocean Drive.

• Navigating the Dark Start: The 6:00 AM start time is before sunrise, so be prepared for running in low-light conditions initially.
• Pacing the First Bridge: The MacArthur Causeway climb begins around kilometer 0.7. It is crucial to manage your effort here and avoid pushing too hard so early in the race.
• Early Congestion: The shared start with the half marathon means the course will be crowded. Focus on finding a comfortable rhythm rather than weaving through traffic.

• Climb #1: Km 0.66 to Km 1.16, 0.5 km, avg grade 3.29%, total gain 16.44 m

• Descent #1: Km 1.33 to Km 1.66, 0.33 km, avg grade -5.21%, total drop 17.09 m
• Descent #2: Km 5.5 to Km 5.83, 0.33 km, avg grade -2.93%, total drop 9.71 m

• MacArthur Causeway (Watson Island / PortMiami area) (Km 2.4)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• MacArthur Causeway (between Palm & Star Islands) (Km 4)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• MacArthur Causeway east end → 5th St off-ramp (Miami Beach) (Km 5.6)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes

• None.

As the sun rises over the Atlantic, this section provides some of the most iconic scenery of the race. The route proceeds north along Ocean Drive, with the ocean to your right and the world-renowned Art Deco hotels and Lummus Park to your left. This stretch is flat, straight, and typically buzzing with spectator energy, offering an excellent opportunity to settle into your goal pace while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.

Around kilometer 8.8, the course makes a sharp left turn away from the ocean, beginning a winding journey through the streets of Miami Beach. You'll run north on Washington Avenue before heading west on Dade Boulevard past the Miami Beach Golf Club.

The terrain remains flat throughout this section, but the frequent turns require sustained focus to maintain an efficient racing line.

• Maintaining Focus Amidst Scenery: The vibrant atmosphere of Ocean Drive can be distracting. Enjoy the views but stay locked into your pacing and nutrition plan.
• Navigating Urban Turns: After leaving Ocean Drive, the course makes several 90-degree turns. Be prepared to adjust your stride and stay aware of other runners.

• None.

• None.

• South Pointe Dr & Ocean Dr (South Beach) (Km 7.2)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Ocean Dr @ Lummus Park (Km 8.9)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• 14th St & Washington Ave (Km 10.5)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Dade Blvd @ Washington Ave / Miami Beach Golf Club (Km 11.3)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade, Neversecond gels
  • Toilet: Yes

• Lummus Park (~Km 8.45): A scenic urban park running alongside Ocean Drive, famous for its palm trees and Art Deco backdrop.
• Baptist Health Spectator Zone (~Km 9.7) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.
• Ten Thousand Run Strong Zone (~Km 10) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.
• Baptist Health x New Symphony Orchestra (~Km 10.3) (Spectator Zone): On-course entertainment activation.

Leaving Miami Beach, the course transitions onto the Venetian Causeway for the return to the mainland. This section features a series of low-slung bridges connecting several small, man-made islands. While none of the bridges present a major climb, their rolling nature creates minor but noticeable undulations that you'll feel in your legs. The causeway rewards you with stunning, expansive views of Biscayne Bay and the downtown Miami skyline, offering a welcome scenic distraction.

After reaching the mainland, the route winds through the streets of the Arts & Entertainment District. This leads to the pivotal point of the race around kilometer 20.6, where half marathoners split off toward their finish.

For marathon runners, this marks the true beginning of the second half of the journey.

• Managing Rolling Bridges: The Venetian Causeway is not one single climb but a series of small rises and falls. Maintain a consistent effort rather than trying to power over each one.
• Psychological Shift at the Split: The course will feel significantly emptier after the half marathoners depart. Be mentally prepared to run in a less dense field and rely more on internal motivation.

• None.

• None.

• Prairie Ave north of Dade Blvd (Km 13.7)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• W 28th St & Meridian Ave → back to Dade Blvd (Km 15.3)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Venetian Causeway – Belle Isle (east end) (Km 16.9)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Venetian Causeway – Di Lido / Rivo Alto islands (Km 18.5)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• NE 15th St at N Miami Ave (Km 20.1)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes

• HOKA Fly Zone (~Km 17.7) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.
• XPRESSO/OMNI (~Km 17.7) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.
• Free People Movement (~Km 18.8) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.
• Lululemon (~Km 19.3) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.
• GO RUN (~Km 19.6) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.
• Miami Under 40 (~Km 20.3) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.

Entering the second half, the course takes you south over the Miami River bridge and into the dense urban canyon of the Brickell financial district. Surrounded by skyscrapers, this section feels distinctly different from the open causeways you've just crossed. The route continues south before making a left turn onto the Rickenbacker Causeway for a brief, flat out-and-back segment.

This stretch along the Rickenbacker offers views of Hobie Island Beach and the bay, but runners should prepare for highly exposed conditions. As the day warms, sun and wind become significant factors here, with little shelter available along this waterfront section.

After the turnaround, you'll head back toward the mainland to begin the journey into Coconut Grove, where tree-lined streets provide welcome shade after the exposed causeway miles.

• Handling the Emptier Course: This is the first full section after the half marathon split. Settle into a solo or small-group running rhythm.
• Sun and Wind Exposure: The Rickenbacker Causeway offers little to no shade. Be diligent with hydration and be prepared for potential headwinds or crosswinds off the bay.

• None.

• Descent #3: Km 21.2 to Km 21.36, 0.16 km, avg grade -3.01%, total drop 4.94 m

• Downtown – N Miami Ave & W Flagler St / NW Miami Ct (Km 21.7)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Brickell area – SE 6th St → Brickell Ave (Km 23.3)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Rickenbacker Causeway (near William Powell Bridge) – Station M (Km 24.9)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade, Neversecond gels
  • Toilet: Yes
• Rickenbacker Causeway return (toward US-1) (Km 26.6)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• S Miami Ave (north of Alice Wainwright Park) (Km 28.2)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes

• None.

This long section takes you through the charming and historic neighborhood of Coconut Grove. The environment shifts dramatically from open causeways and urban high-rises to lush, tree-lined streets. The plentiful shade from the mature tree canopy offers welcome relief from the intensifying sun.

The route primarily follows South Bayshore Drive before weaving through a series of residential streets. While the terrain remains flat, this part of the course contains numerous turns that can be mentally taxing and physically disruptive to your rhythm during a critical phase of the marathon.

Staying focused on running the tangents and using the turns to break the section into smaller, manageable pieces is key to setting up a strong finish.

• Maintaining Rhythm Through Turns: The winding nature of the Coconut Grove section can break your stride. Focus on running the tangents where possible and maintaining a consistent effort.
• Staying Mentally Engaged: After the long, straight sections earlier in the race, the frequent turns demand constant attention. Use landmarks and aid stations as intermediate goals to stay focused.

• None.

• None.

• S Bayshore Dr (near Kennedy Park / north Grove) (Km 29.8)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• McFarlane Rd & Main Hwy (Coconut Grove center) (Km 31.4)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Grand Ave & Mary St (CocoWalk area) (Km 33)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• S Bayshore Dr & Aviation Dr (Regatta Park) (Km 34.6)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Tigertail Ave & Shore Dr S (Km 36.2)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes

• Baptist Health Spectator Zone (~Km 30.5) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.
• Dimelo305 (~Km 30.6) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.
• Coconut Grove Block Party (~Km 32.2) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area at Fuller St.
• Voodoo Kings (~Km 33) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.

Exiting the residential loops of Coconut Grove, the course straightens out, heading north on South Miami Avenue for the final push toward downtown. This section offers a long, straight shot that allows you to lock in and focus on the finish line ahead.

The primary physical obstacle remaining is the climb back over the South Miami Avenue Bridge around kilometer 41. Though not particularly long, this incline will feel significant on tired legs after covering so much distance.

After cresting the bridge, a welcome descent carries you back into the heart of downtown. The route makes a final turn onto Biscayne Boulevard for the last flat stretch to the finish.

The sounds of the finish line at Bayfront Park will grow louder with each step, providing the final surge of motivation to complete your 42.28-kilometer journey.

• The Late-Race Bridge Climb: The incline over the South Miami Avenue Bridge around kilometer 41.1 is short but has a grade over 1.5%. Shorten your stride and focus on maintaining momentum over the top.
• Final Kilometer Pacing: The final stretch is flat and straight. Use the energy from the crowds to maintain your form and finish strong, but be careful not to start an all-out sprint too early.

• None.

• None.

• Shore Dr W / Shore Dr N (residential loop) (Km 37.8)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• Samana Dr & S Miami Ave (Km 39.4)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes
• S Miami Ave Bridge northbound (Km 41)
  • Offerings: Water, Gatorade
  • Toilet: Yes

• Baptist Health Spectator Zone (~Km 38.6) (Spectator Zone): Designated spectator viewing area.