First Coast Sports Scene Poised For Exciting Changes In 2025

The Times-Union takes a closer look at the exciting developments on the First Coast for the upcoming year, including a significant shakeup for the Gate River Run and announcements from the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. In March, the 48th edition of the Gate River Run, the national 15K championship for USA Track & Field, is set to take place, bringing with it a new layout due to the relocation of the Jacksonville Fairgrounds and the upcoming renovation of EverBank Stadium.

According to USA TODAY, the changes will require runners to adjust to a new starting and finishing point, but fans can expect some familiar sights, including the iconic Main Street Bridge and the Hart Bridge, also known as the Green Monster. These landmarks will continue to test endurance for the 2025 event. Meanwhile... local colleges are making waves in the world of men's college basketball.

Jacksonville University has already secured a win against a power conference team, Virginia Tech, and the University of North Florida has claimed two victories against South Carolina and Georgia Tech. As the ASUN Conference schedule begins in January, eyes are turned to whether one of the First Coast's Division I teams can secure the top spot and make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

JU, in particular, aims to achieve this milestone for the first time since 1986, while UNF seeks its second NCAA berth since 2015. According to USA TODAY, anything can happen in the next few months... making the coming ASUN campaign a must-watch. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp's home field, VyStar Ballpark, is in the midst of a multi-million-dollar renovation project.

The $31. 8 million makeover includes a new multi-level building behind the right-field wall, which will serve as the club's souvenir store. The stadium will also undergo changes to its name, replacing 121 Financial Ballpark after a merger with VyStar. For fans, the renovation will bring some exciting new features, including the possibility of seeing the Triple-A club field the Miami Marlins' top prospects, "potentially including young pitchers Noble Meyer and Thomas White," "by the end of the season."

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The Times-Union takes a look ahead to some of the potential storylines on deck for the First Coast in 2025, from football to golf and beyond. Planning to hit the road for the Gate River Run at the start of March? The showcase event on Jacksonville's distance running calendar, which also serves as the national 15K championship for USA Track & Field, is getting set for a significant shakeup amid the coming relocation of the Jacksonville Fairgrounds and the future renovation of EverBank Stadium . Runners will have to get used to a different layout around the start and finish, but don't worry: Familiar (and sometimes dreaded) landmarks like the Main Street Bridge and especially the Hart Bridge, the famed Green Monster, aren't going anywhere and should test runners' endurance for the 48th time in 2025.