Marathon · April
Seven Mile Bridge Run
Once a year, the Seven Mile Bridge closes to traffic and 1,500 runners cross it on foot at sunrise, open water on both sides the whole way. The Seven Mile Bridge Run is one of the most distinctive road races in the country and one of the hardest entries to get: registration is capped and typically fills within about an hour of opening.
The race dates to 1982, when it was held to celebrate the completion of the Keys bridge rebuilding program. The 45th running was April 11, 2026. The 2027 date has not been announced yet, but it lands on a Saturday in early to mid April, with registration opening in late January.
Quick Facts
- When
- A Saturday in early to mid April, 6:45 a.m. start
- Distance
- 6.8 miles, bridge end to bridge end
- Field
- Capped at 1,500 runners; sells out in about an hour
- Entry
- $100, non-refundable, via RunSignup
- Registration
- Opens late January; Monroe County residents get a head start
- Staging
- Knights Key, Marathon; packet pickup at Marathon Community Park
How to actually get a bib
This is the part that trips people up. The race does not sell out in days, it sells out in roughly an hour. Registration opens in late January, with Monroe County residents getting a window a few days before general entry. Set an alarm for the minute it opens, have your RunSignup account ready, and do not stop to think about it. The $100 entry is non-refundable.
Race morning
The bridge closes to traffic at 6 a.m. and the gun goes at 6:45. Runners with bibs board mandatory shuttles at the Marathon end between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m., with the last bus at 5:45. Yes, that means a very early alarm. The payoff is running a bridge over open ocean as the sun comes up, which is the kind of thing you remember for the rest of your life.
- · It is 6.8 miles, not a marathon. The town is named Marathon; the race is not one.
- · Packet pickup is a drive-thru at Marathon Community Park on Friday, noon to 8 p.m.
- · There is no shade and no bailout point. Train for wind and humidity.
- · Spectating is free from the Marathon end; the bridge itself is runners only.
- · Book Marathon lodging months ahead. Race weekend fills the town.
A race with history
The run started in 1982 to mark the completion of the new Seven Mile Bridge alongside the old Flagler railroad span. It has been canceled at the start line exactly once, in 2012, when lightning moved in over the water. Everything about this race is at the mercy of the weather and the bridge, which is part of the charm.
Want more on Seven Mile Bridge Run?
Official details from the organizers, plus Keys Weekly's coverage from the newspaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Seven Mile Bridge Run 2027?
The date has not been announced. The race is traditionally a Saturday in early to mid April; the 2026 running was April 11. Watch 7mbrun.com in the winter for the announcement.
How hard is it to get into the Seven Mile Bridge Run?
Hard. The field is capped at 1,500 and registration typically fills in about an hour after it opens in late January. Monroe County residents get an early registration window.
How long is the Seven Mile Bridge Run?
It is 6.8 miles, crossing the full length of the Seven Mile Bridge from the Marathon side. Despite the town name, it is not a marathon.
Can I watch without running?
Yes, for free, from the Marathon end of the bridge. The bridge itself is closed to everyone but registered runners during the race.
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Key West · December
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