The Life Time Miami Marathon is one of the most popular winter marathons in the country. Warm weather, oceanfront views, and a flat course make it a bucket-list race for thousands of runners every year. But with demand growing, getting a spot is not always simple.
If you missed registration or want to guarantee your entry, running through a charity team is one of the best ways in. Charity entries give you a guaranteed bib, a built-in support system, and a reason to run that goes beyond your finish time.
How Charity Entries Work for the Miami Marathon
The Miami Marathon partners with dozens of nonprofit organizations that receive guaranteed race entries. When you sign up to run for a charity, you commit to raising a minimum amount of money for that organization. In return, you get a confirmed spot in the race, no lottery or early registration required.
Most charity teams also provide fundraising support, team training resources, race-day gear, and a community of runners who are all running for something bigger than a PR.
What to Look for in a Charity Running Team
Not all charity teams are the same. Here is what separates a great experience from just another registration fee:
- Fundraising support. The best teams give you email templates, social media assets, and one-on-one coaching to help you hit your goal. You should never feel like you are figuring it out alone.
- Community. Running 13.1 or 26.2 miles is hard. Having teammates who understand why you are out there makes the training and the race day experience completely different.
- A cause you care about. You are going to ask friends and family for donations. Pick a mission you can talk about with conviction.
- Race-day perks. Team jerseys, pre-race meetups, and post-race celebrations turn a solo race into a shared experience.
Running the Miami Marathon with Team Friendship
Team Friendship is the official running team of Friendship Circle, a nonprofit that connects teen volunteers with children and adults who have special needs. Every dollar raised through Team Friendship supports programs that build real friendships and inclusive communities across 80+ chapters worldwide.
Here is what Team Friendship Miami runners get:
- Guaranteed marathon or half marathon entry with no lottery or registration stress
- Fundraising coaching with proven strategies, templates, and personal support
- Official Team Friendship race-day jersey so the crowd knows exactly why you are running
- Pre-race Shabbat dinner the night before with your teammates
- A team that actually feels like a team, not just a bib number
Team Friendship runners come from all backgrounds and experience levels. Some are seasoned marathoners looking for a meaningful reason to race. Others are first-timers who want the accountability and community that comes with running for a cause.
Fundraising: What to Expect
Every charity team has a fundraising minimum. For Team Friendship Miami, the commitment is designed to be achievable with the right support. Most runners not only hit their goal but exceed it.
The key is starting early and being personal. The runners who raise the most money are the ones who share their “why” honestly and ask directly. Team Friendship provides the tools and coaching to make that process feel natural, not awkward.
Miami Marathon 2026 Key Details
The 2026 Life Time Miami Marathon takes place in late January 2026. The course starts and finishes near AmericanAirlines Arena, winding through Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, and Key Biscayne with ocean views for much of the route.
- Distance: Full Marathon (26.2 miles) and Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Course: Flat, fast, and scenic along the coast
- Weather: Typically 60-70 degrees at race start
How to Sign Up
If you want to run the Miami Marathon for a cause that matters, Team Friendship spots are limited. Visit teamfriendship.org to learn more about upcoming Team Friendship events, or contact Friendship Circle to ask about Miami Marathon availability.
Running 26.2 or 13.1 miles is an accomplishment no matter what. Running those miles for friendship, for inclusion, for someone who deserves to know they are not alone, that is what makes it unforgettable.