Marshall Butler has set out on a remarkable journey — one that involves running every single street in Duval County. While it might sound like an impossible task, Butler is well on his way to achieving this ambitious goal.
“There’s over 14, almost 15,000 streets in Jacksonville, Florida,” Butler said. “There’s about 5,400 miles, and that would be if you could run every mile without overlap. But you have to do a lot of overlapping, so it’ll probably end up being over 6,000 or 7,000 miles when we’re done.”
Butler, a lifelong Jacksonville resident and Rotarian, runs six to 10 miles a day, three to four days a week. Over time, his dedication has allowed him to cover nearly 82% of the city. His runs aren’t just about checking off streets on a map — they’re a way for him to connect with his community.
Discovering Jacksonville, one street at a time
As Butler navigates Jacksonville’s 600 square miles, he’s uncovering stories about the city he grew up in and the people who live there.
“I’ve learned things about a city I thought I knew,” Butler shared. “You see patterns — the same people at the bus stop every morning, the same folks walking to work. It’s really interesting to immerse yourself in these communities and try to understand how people live their lives.”
Butler noted that running through different parts of town has helped challenge preconceived notions about Jacksonville’s neighborhoods.
“You hear about the ‘good sides’ and the ‘bad sides’ of town, but for the most part, it’s just people trying to survive,” he said. “Be curious, not judgmental.”
Running with a purpose
Butler’s project is fueled by his passion for running and service. As a member of Rotary, he views his runs as a way to identify opportunities to help the community.
“This gives me the chance to see that there are opportunities in our own backyard to do great work,” he said.
Butler has created a detailed map of his progress, which he shares online at every.st. The map allows residents to see if Butler has run through their neighborhood yet.
“I’d say there’s a high likelihood I’ve probably run past your house,” he joked. “If not, you can reach out and invite me to run by. Maybe put out some water or a banana!”
The journey continues
With 18% of the city left to explore, Butler shows no signs of slowing down. His goal of running every street in Jacksonville has become more than a personal challenge — it’s a way to inspire others to engage with their communities.
“Running is my passion, but this is about connecting with people and understanding our city,” he said.
To follow Butler’s progress and see his map, click here.