diff --git a/lib/jasmine-core/jasmine.js b/lib/jasmine-core/jasmine.js
index ef5c44b8..1d71abed 100644
--- a/lib/jasmine-core/jasmine.js
+++ b/lib/jasmine-core/jasmine.js
@@ -769,6 +769,8 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
         return {};
       };
     this.onStart = attrs.onStart || function() {};
+    this.autoCleanClosures =
+      attrs.autoCleanClosures === undefined ? true : !!attrs.autoCleanClosures;
     this.getSpecName =
       attrs.getSpecName ||
       function() {
@@ -787,7 +789,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
     this.timer = attrs.timer || new j$.Timer();
 
     if (!this.queueableFn.fn) {
-      this.pend();
+      this.exclude();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -857,7 +859,9 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
 
     var complete = {
       fn: function(done) {
-        self.queueableFn.fn = null;
+        if (self.autoCleanClosures) {
+          self.queueableFn.fn = null;
+        }
         self.result.status = self.status(excluded, failSpecWithNoExp);
         self.result.duration = self.timer.elapsed();
 
@@ -914,6 +918,36 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
     this.queueRunnerFactory(runnerConfig);
   };
 
+  Spec.prototype.reset = function() {
+    /**
+     * @typedef SpecResult
+     * @property {Int} id - The unique id of this spec.
+     * @property {String} description - The description passed to the {@link it} that created this spec.
+     * @property {String} fullName - The full description including all ancestors of this spec.
+     * @property {Expectation[]} failedExpectations - The list of expectations that failed during execution of this spec.
+     * @property {Expectation[]} passedExpectations - The list of expectations that passed during execution of this spec.
+     * @property {Expectation[]} deprecationWarnings - The list of deprecation warnings that occurred during execution this spec.
+     * @property {String} pendingReason - If the spec is {@link pending}, this will be the reason.
+     * @property {String} status - Once the spec has completed, this string represents the pass/fail status of this spec.
+     * @property {number} duration - The time in ms used by the spec execution, including any before/afterEach.
+     * @property {Object} properties - User-supplied properties, if any, that were set using {@link Env#setSpecProperty}
+     * @since 2.0.0
+     */
+    this.result = {
+      id: this.id,
+      description: this.description,
+      fullName: this.getFullName(),
+      failedExpectations: [],
+      passedExpectations: [],
+      deprecationWarnings: [],
+      pendingReason: this.excludeMessage,
+      duration: null,
+      properties: null,
+      trace: null
+    };
+    this.markedPending = this.markedExcluding;
+  };
+
   Spec.prototype.onException = function onException(e) {
     if (Spec.isPendingSpecException(e)) {
       this.pend(extractCustomPendingMessage(e));
@@ -937,6 +971,10 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
     );
   };
 
+  /*
+   * Marks state as pending
+   * @param {string} [message] An optional reason message
+   */
   Spec.prototype.pend = function(message) {
     this.markedPending = true;
     if (message) {
@@ -944,6 +982,19 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
     }
   };
 
+  /*
+   * Like {@link Spec#pend}, but pending state will survive {@link Spec#reset}
+   * Useful for fit, xit, where pending state remains.
+   * @param {string} [message] An optional reason message
+   */
+  Spec.prototype.exclude = function(message) {
+    this.markedExcluding = true;
+    if (this.message) {
+      this.excludeMessage = message;
+    }
+    this.pend();
+  };
+
   Spec.prototype.getResult = function() {
     this.result.status = this.status();
     return this.result;
@@ -1235,6 +1286,15 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
        * property and always create native promises instead.
        */
       Promise: undefined,
+      /**
+       * Clean closures when a suite is done running (done by clearing the stored function reference).
+       * This prevents memory leaks, but you won't be able to run jasmine multiple times.
+       * @name Configuration#autoCleanClosures
+       * @since 3.10.0
+       * @type boolean
+       * @default true
+       */
+      autoCleanClosures: true,
       /**
        * Whether or not to issue warnings for certain deprecated functionality
        * every time it's used. If not set or set to false, deprecation warnings
@@ -1301,7 +1361,8 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
         'failSpecWithNoExpectations',
         'hideDisabled',
         'stopOnSpecFailure',
-        'stopSpecOnExpectationFailure'
+        'stopSpecOnExpectationFailure',
+        'autoCleanClosures'
       ];
 
       booleanProps.forEach(function(prop) {
@@ -1548,10 +1609,11 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
       delete runnableResources[id];
     };
 
-    var beforeAndAfterFns = function(suite) {
+    var beforeAndAfterFns = function(targetSuite) {
       return function() {
         var befores = [],
-          afters = [];
+          afters = [],
+          suite = targetSuite;
 
         while (suite) {
           befores = befores.concat(suite.beforeFns);
@@ -1653,10 +1715,10 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
       expectationFactory: expectationFactory,
       asyncExpectationFactory: suiteAsyncExpectationFactory,
       expectationResultFactory: expectationResultFactory,
+      autoCleanClosures: config.autoCleanClosures,
       onLateError: recordLateError
     });
     var deprecator = new j$.Deprecator(topSuite);
-    defaultResourcesForRunnable(topSuite.id);
     currentDeclarationSuite = topSuite;
 
     /**
@@ -1775,6 +1837,11 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
      * @return {Promise<undefined>}
      */
     this.execute = function(runnablesToRun, onComplete) {
+      if (this._executedBefore) {
+        topSuite.reset();
+      }
+      this._executedBefore = true;
+      defaultResourcesForRunnable(topSuite.id);
       installGlobalErrors();
 
       if (!runnablesToRun) {
@@ -2048,6 +2115,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
         asyncExpectationFactory: suiteAsyncExpectationFactory,
         expectationResultFactory: expectationResultFactory,
         throwOnExpectationFailure: config.stopSpecOnExpectationFailure,
+        autoCleanClosures: config.autoCleanClosures,
         onLateError: recordLateError
       });
 
@@ -2061,8 +2129,8 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
       if (specDefinitions.length > 0) {
         throw new Error('describe does not expect any arguments');
       }
-      if (currentDeclarationSuite.markedPending) {
-        suite.pend();
+      if (currentDeclarationSuite.markedExcluding) {
+        suite.exclude();
       }
       addSpecsToSuite(suite, specDefinitions);
       if (suite.parentSuite && !suite.children.length) {
@@ -2075,7 +2143,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
       ensureIsNotNested('xdescribe');
       ensureIsFunction(specDefinitions, 'xdescribe');
       var suite = suiteFactory(description);
-      suite.pend();
+      suite.exclude();
       addSpecsToSuite(suite, specDefinitions);
       return suite.metadata;
     };
@@ -2161,6 +2229,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
           timeout: timeout || 0
         },
         throwOnExpectationFailure: config.stopSpecOnExpectationFailure,
+        autoCleanClosures: config.autoCleanClosures,
         timer: new j$.Timer()
       });
       return spec;
@@ -2196,8 +2265,8 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
       }
 
       var spec = specFactory(description, fn, currentDeclarationSuite, timeout);
-      if (currentDeclarationSuite.markedPending) {
-        spec.pend();
+      if (currentDeclarationSuite.markedExcluding) {
+        spec.exclude();
       }
       currentDeclarationSuite.addChild(spec);
 
@@ -2217,7 +2286,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
         ensureIsFunctionOrAsync(fn, 'xit');
       }
       var spec = this.it_.apply(this, arguments);
-      spec.pend('Temporarily disabled with xit');
+      spec.exclude('Temporarily disabled with xit');
       return spec.metadata;
     };
 
@@ -9448,6 +9517,8 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Suite = function(j$) {
     this.asyncExpectationFactory = attrs.asyncExpectationFactory;
     this.expectationResultFactory = attrs.expectationResultFactory;
     this.throwOnExpectationFailure = !!attrs.throwOnExpectationFailure;
+    this.autoCleanClosures =
+      attrs.autoCleanClosures === undefined ? true : !!attrs.autoCleanClosures;
     this.onLateError = attrs.onLateError;
 
     this.beforeFns = [];
@@ -9464,27 +9535,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Suite = function(j$) {
      */
     this.children = [];
 
-    /**
-     * @typedef SuiteResult
-     * @property {Int} id - The unique id of this suite.
-     * @property {String} description - The description text passed to the {@link describe} that made this suite.
-     * @property {String} fullName - The full description including all ancestors of this suite.
-     * @property {Expectation[]} failedExpectations - The list of expectations that failed in an {@link afterAll} for this suite.
-     * @property {Expectation[]} deprecationWarnings - The list of deprecation warnings that occurred on this suite.
-     * @property {String} status - Once the suite has completed, this string represents the pass/fail status of this suite.
-     * @property {number} duration - The time in ms for Suite execution, including any before/afterAll, before/afterEach.
-     * @property {Object} properties - User-supplied properties, if any, that were set using {@link Env#setSuiteProperty}
-     * @since 2.0.0
-     */
-    this.result = {
-      id: this.id,
-      description: this.description,
-      fullName: this.getFullName(),
-      failedExpectations: [],
-      deprecationWarnings: [],
-      duration: null,
-      properties: null
-    };
+    this.reset();
   }
 
   Suite.prototype.setSuiteProperty = function(key, value) {
@@ -9521,10 +9572,22 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Suite = function(j$) {
     return fullName.join(' ');
   };
 
+  /*
+   * Mark the suite with "pending" status
+   */
   Suite.prototype.pend = function() {
     this.markedPending = true;
   };
 
+  /*
+   * Like {@link Suite#pend}, but pending state will survive {@link Spec#reset}
+   * Useful for fdescribe, xdescribe, where pending state should remain.
+   */
+  Suite.prototype.exclude = function() {
+    this.pend();
+    this.markedExcluding = true;
+  };
+
   Suite.prototype.beforeEach = function(fn) {
     this.beforeFns.unshift({ ...fn, suite: this });
   };
@@ -9556,10 +9619,40 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Suite = function(j$) {
   }
 
   Suite.prototype.cleanupBeforeAfter = function() {
-    removeFns(this.beforeAllFns);
-    removeFns(this.afterAllFns);
-    removeFns(this.beforeFns);
-    removeFns(this.afterFns);
+    if (this.autoCleanClosures) {
+      removeFns(this.beforeAllFns);
+      removeFns(this.afterAllFns);
+      removeFns(this.beforeFns);
+      removeFns(this.afterFns);
+    }
+  };
+
+  Suite.prototype.reset = function() {
+    /**
+     * @typedef SuiteResult
+     * @property {Int} id - The unique id of this suite.
+     * @property {String} description - The description text passed to the {@link describe} that made this suite.
+     * @property {String} fullName - The full description including all ancestors of this suite.
+     * @property {Expectation[]} failedExpectations - The list of expectations that failed in an {@link afterAll} for this suite.
+     * @property {Expectation[]} deprecationWarnings - The list of deprecation warnings that occurred on this suite.
+     * @property {String} status - Once the suite has completed, this string represents the pass/fail status of this suite.
+     * @property {number} duration - The time in ms for Suite execution, including any before/afterAll, before/afterEach.
+     * @property {Object} properties - User-supplied properties, if any, that were set using {@link Env#setSuiteProperty}
+     * @since 2.0.0
+     */
+    this.result = {
+      id: this.id,
+      description: this.description,
+      fullName: this.getFullName(),
+      failedExpectations: [],
+      deprecationWarnings: [],
+      duration: null,
+      properties: null
+    };
+    this.markedPending = this.markedExcluding;
+    this.children.forEach(function(child) {
+      child.reset();
+    });
   };
 
   Suite.prototype.addChild = function(child) {
diff --git a/spec/core/EnvSpec.js b/spec/core/EnvSpec.js
index 8489e956..f8d4072c 100644
--- a/spec/core/EnvSpec.js
+++ b/spec/core/EnvSpec.js
@@ -306,13 +306,13 @@ describe('Env', function() {
   describe('#xit', function() {
     behavesLikeIt('xit');
 
-    it('calls spec.pend with "Temporarily disabled with xit"', function() {
-      var pendSpy = jasmine.createSpy();
+    it('calls spec.exclude with "Temporarily disabled with xit"', function() {
+      var excludeSpy = jasmine.createSpy();
       spyOn(env, 'it_').and.returnValue({
-        pend: pendSpy
+        exclude: excludeSpy
       });
       env.xit('foo', function() {});
-      expect(pendSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Temporarily disabled with xit');
+      expect(excludeSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Temporarily disabled with xit');
     });
 
     it('throws an error when it receives a non-fn argument', function() {
@@ -556,5 +556,23 @@ describe('Env', function() {
     it('returns a promise', function() {
       expect(env.execute()).toBeInstanceOf(Promise);
     });
+
+    it('should reset the topSuite when run twice', function() {
+      spyOn(jasmineUnderTest.Suite.prototype, 'reset');
+      return env
+        .execute() // 1
+        .then(function() {
+          return env.execute(); // 2
+        })
+        .then(function() {
+          var id;
+          expect(
+            jasmineUnderTest.Suite.prototype.reset
+          ).toHaveBeenCalledOnceWith();
+          id = jasmineUnderTest.Suite.prototype.reset.calls.thisFor(0).id;
+          expect(id).toBeTruthy();
+          expect(id).toEqual(env.topSuite().id);
+        });
+    });
   });
 });
diff --git a/spec/core/SuiteSpec.js b/spec/core/SuiteSpec.js
index d825dd27..098c67f1 100644
--- a/spec/core/SuiteSpec.js
+++ b/spec/core/SuiteSpec.js
@@ -149,6 +149,88 @@ describe('Suite', function() {
     });
   });
 
+  describe('attr.autoCleanClosures', function() {
+    function arrangeSuite(attrs) {
+      var suite = new jasmineUnderTest.Suite(attrs);
+      suite.beforeAll(function() {});
+      suite.beforeEach(function() {});
+      suite.afterEach(function() {});
+      suite.afterAll(function() {});
+      return suite;
+    }
+
+    it('should clean closures when "attr.autoCleanClosures" is missing', function() {
+      var suite = arrangeSuite({});
+      suite.cleanupBeforeAfter();
+      expect(suite.beforeAllFns[0].fn).toBe(null);
+      expect(suite.beforeFns[0].fn).toBe(null);
+      expect(suite.afterFns[0].fn).toBe(null);
+      expect(suite.afterAllFns[0].fn).toBe(null);
+    });
+
+    it('should clean closures when "attr.autoCleanClosures" is true', function() {
+      var suite = arrangeSuite({ autoCleanClosures: true });
+      suite.cleanupBeforeAfter();
+      expect(suite.beforeAllFns[0].fn).toBe(null);
+      expect(suite.beforeFns[0].fn).toBe(null);
+      expect(suite.afterFns[0].fn).toBe(null);
+      expect(suite.afterAllFns[0].fn).toBe(null);
+    });
+
+    it('should NOT clean closures when "attr.autoCleanClosures" is false', function() {
+      var suite = arrangeSuite({ autoCleanClosures: false });
+      suite.cleanupBeforeAfter();
+      expect(suite.beforeAllFns[0].fn).not.toBe(null);
+      expect(suite.beforeFns[0].fn).not.toBe(null);
+      expect(suite.afterFns[0].fn).not.toBe(null);
+      expect(suite.afterAllFns[0].fn).not.toBe(null);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('#reset', function() {
+    it('should reset the "pending" status', function() {
+      var suite = new jasmineUnderTest.Suite({});
+      suite.pend();
+      suite.reset();
+      expect(suite.getResult().status).toBe('passed');
+    });
+
+    it('should not reset the "pending" status when the suite was excluded', function() {
+      var suite = new jasmineUnderTest.Suite({});
+      suite.exclude();
+      suite.reset();
+      expect(suite.getResult().status).toBe('pending');
+    });
+
+    it('should also reset the children', function() {
+      var suite = new jasmineUnderTest.Suite({});
+      var child1 = jasmine.createSpyObj(['reset']);
+      var child2 = jasmine.createSpyObj(['reset']);
+      suite.addChild(child1);
+      suite.addChild(child2);
+
+      suite.reset();
+
+      expect(child1.reset).toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(child2.reset).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
+    it('should reset the failedExpectations', function() {
+      var suite = new jasmineUnderTest.Suite({
+        expectationResultFactory: function(error) {
+          return error;
+        }
+      });
+      suite.onException(new Error());
+
+      suite.reset();
+
+      var result = suite.getResult();
+      expect(result.status).toBe('passed');
+      expect(result.failedExpectations).toHaveSize(0);
+    });
+  });
+
   describe('#onMultipleDone', function() {
     it('reports a special error when it is the top suite', function() {
       const onLateError = jasmine.createSpy('onLateError');
diff --git a/spec/core/integration/SpecRunningSpec.js b/spec/core/integration/SpecRunningSpec.js
index 0f0a161a..9212e88a 100644
--- a/spec/core/integration/SpecRunningSpec.js
+++ b/spec/core/integration/SpecRunningSpec.js
@@ -1154,4 +1154,211 @@ describe('spec running', function() {
       });
     });
   });
+
+  describe('run multiple times', function() {
+    beforeEach(function() {
+      env.configure({ autoCleanClosures: false, random: false });
+    });
+
+    it('should be able to run multiple times', function(done) {
+      var actions = [];
+
+      env.describe('Suite', function() {
+        env.it('spec1', function() {
+          actions.push('spec1');
+        });
+        env.describe('inner suite', function() {
+          env.it('spec2', function() {
+            actions.push('spec2');
+          });
+        });
+      });
+
+      env.execute(null, function() {
+        expect(actions).toEqual(['spec1', 'spec2']);
+        env.execute(null, function() {
+          expect(actions).toEqual(['spec1', 'spec2', 'spec1', 'spec2']);
+          done();
+        });
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('should reset results between runs', function(done) {
+      var specResults = {};
+      var suiteResults = {};
+      var firstExecution = true;
+
+      env.addReporter({
+        specDone: function(spec) {
+          specResults[spec.description] = spec.status;
+        },
+        suiteDone: function(suite) {
+          suiteResults[suite.description] = suite.status;
+        },
+        jasmineDone: function() {
+          firstExecution = false;
+        }
+      });
+
+      env.describe('suite0', function() {
+        env.it('spec1', function() {
+          if (firstExecution) {
+            env.expect(1).toBe(2);
+          }
+        });
+        env.describe('suite1', function() {
+          env.it('spec2', function() {
+            if (firstExecution) {
+              env.pending();
+            }
+          });
+          env.xit('spec3', function() {}); // Always pending
+        });
+        env.describe('suite2', function() {
+          env.it('spec4', function() {
+            if (firstExecution) {
+              throw new Error('spec 3 fails');
+            }
+          });
+        });
+        env.describe('suite3', function() {
+          env.beforeEach(function() {
+            throw new Error('suite 3 fails');
+          });
+          env.it('spec5', function() {});
+        });
+        env.xdescribe('suite4', function() {
+          // Always pending
+          env.it('spec6', function() {});
+        });
+        env.describe('suite5', function() {
+          env.it('spec7');
+        });
+      });
+
+      env.execute(null, function() {
+        expect(specResults).toEqual({
+          spec1: 'failed',
+          spec2: 'pending',
+          spec3: 'pending',
+          spec4: 'failed',
+          spec5: 'failed',
+          spec6: 'pending',
+          spec7: 'pending'
+        });
+        expect(suiteResults).toEqual({
+          suite0: 'passed',
+          suite1: 'passed',
+          suite2: 'passed',
+          suite3: 'passed',
+          suite4: 'pending',
+          suite5: 'passed'
+        });
+        env.execute(null, function() {
+          expect(specResults).toEqual({
+            spec1: 'passed',
+            spec2: 'passed',
+            spec3: 'pending',
+            spec4: 'passed',
+            spec5: 'failed',
+            spec6: 'pending',
+            spec7: 'pending'
+          });
+          expect(suiteResults).toEqual({
+            suite0: 'passed',
+            suite1: 'passed',
+            suite2: 'passed',
+            suite3: 'passed',
+            suite4: 'pending',
+            suite5: 'passed'
+          });
+          done();
+        });
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('should execute before and after hooks per run', function(done) {
+      var timeline = [];
+      var timelineFn = function(hookName) {
+        return function() {
+          timeline.push(hookName);
+        };
+      };
+      var expectedTimeLine = [
+        'beforeAll',
+        'beforeEach',
+        'spec1',
+        'afterEach',
+        'beforeEach',
+        'spec2',
+        'afterEach',
+        'afterAll'
+      ];
+
+      env.describe('suite0', function() {
+        env.beforeAll(timelineFn('beforeAll'));
+        env.beforeEach(timelineFn('beforeEach'));
+        env.afterEach(timelineFn('afterEach'));
+        env.afterAll(timelineFn('afterAll'));
+        env.it('spec1', timelineFn('spec1'));
+        env.it('spec2', timelineFn('spec2'));
+      });
+      env.execute(null, function() {
+        expect(timeline).toEqual(expectedTimeLine);
+        timeline = [];
+        env.execute(null, function() {
+          expect(timeline).toEqual(expectedTimeLine);
+          done();
+        });
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('should be able to filter out different tests in subsequent runs', function(done) {
+      var specResults = {};
+      var focussedSpec = 'spec1';
+
+      env.configure({
+        specFilter: function(spec) {
+          return spec.description === focussedSpec;
+        }
+      });
+
+      env.addReporter({
+        specDone: function(spec) {
+          specResults[spec.description] = spec.status;
+        }
+      });
+
+      env.describe('suite0', function() {
+        env.it('spec1', function() {});
+        env.it('spec2', function() {});
+        env.it('spec3', function() {});
+      });
+
+      env.execute(null, function() {
+        expect(specResults).toEqual({
+          spec1: 'passed',
+          spec2: 'excluded',
+          spec3: 'excluded'
+        });
+        focussedSpec = 'spec2';
+        env.execute(null, function() {
+          expect(specResults).toEqual({
+            spec1: 'excluded',
+            spec2: 'passed',
+            spec3: 'excluded'
+          });
+          focussedSpec = 'spec3';
+          env.execute(null, function() {
+            expect(specResults).toEqual({
+              spec1: 'excluded',
+              spec2: 'excluded',
+              spec3: 'passed'
+            });
+            done();
+          });
+        });
+      });
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/core/Env.js b/src/core/Env.js
index ce6cf454..b9dfe13c 100644
--- a/src/core/Env.js
+++ b/src/core/Env.js
@@ -122,6 +122,15 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
        * property and always create native promises instead.
        */
       Promise: undefined,
+      /**
+       * Clean closures when a suite is done running (done by clearing the stored function reference).
+       * This prevents memory leaks, but you won't be able to run jasmine multiple times.
+       * @name Configuration#autoCleanClosures
+       * @since 3.10.0
+       * @type boolean
+       * @default true
+       */
+      autoCleanClosures: true,
       /**
        * Whether or not to issue warnings for certain deprecated functionality
        * every time it's used. If not set or set to false, deprecation warnings
@@ -188,7 +197,8 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
         'failSpecWithNoExpectations',
         'hideDisabled',
         'stopOnSpecFailure',
-        'stopSpecOnExpectationFailure'
+        'stopSpecOnExpectationFailure',
+        'autoCleanClosures'
       ];
 
       booleanProps.forEach(function(prop) {
@@ -435,10 +445,11 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
       delete runnableResources[id];
     };
 
-    var beforeAndAfterFns = function(suite) {
+    var beforeAndAfterFns = function(targetSuite) {
       return function() {
         var befores = [],
-          afters = [];
+          afters = [],
+          suite = targetSuite;
 
         while (suite) {
           befores = befores.concat(suite.beforeFns);
@@ -540,10 +551,10 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
       expectationFactory: expectationFactory,
       asyncExpectationFactory: suiteAsyncExpectationFactory,
       expectationResultFactory: expectationResultFactory,
+      autoCleanClosures: config.autoCleanClosures,
       onLateError: recordLateError
     });
     var deprecator = new j$.Deprecator(topSuite);
-    defaultResourcesForRunnable(topSuite.id);
     currentDeclarationSuite = topSuite;
 
     /**
@@ -662,6 +673,11 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
      * @return {Promise<undefined>}
      */
     this.execute = function(runnablesToRun, onComplete) {
+      if (this._executedBefore) {
+        topSuite.reset();
+      }
+      this._executedBefore = true;
+      defaultResourcesForRunnable(topSuite.id);
       installGlobalErrors();
 
       if (!runnablesToRun) {
@@ -935,6 +951,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
         asyncExpectationFactory: suiteAsyncExpectationFactory,
         expectationResultFactory: expectationResultFactory,
         throwOnExpectationFailure: config.stopSpecOnExpectationFailure,
+        autoCleanClosures: config.autoCleanClosures,
         onLateError: recordLateError
       });
 
@@ -948,8 +965,8 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
       if (specDefinitions.length > 0) {
         throw new Error('describe does not expect any arguments');
       }
-      if (currentDeclarationSuite.markedPending) {
-        suite.pend();
+      if (currentDeclarationSuite.markedExcluding) {
+        suite.exclude();
       }
       addSpecsToSuite(suite, specDefinitions);
       if (suite.parentSuite && !suite.children.length) {
@@ -962,7 +979,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
       ensureIsNotNested('xdescribe');
       ensureIsFunction(specDefinitions, 'xdescribe');
       var suite = suiteFactory(description);
-      suite.pend();
+      suite.exclude();
       addSpecsToSuite(suite, specDefinitions);
       return suite.metadata;
     };
@@ -1048,6 +1065,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
           timeout: timeout || 0
         },
         throwOnExpectationFailure: config.stopSpecOnExpectationFailure,
+        autoCleanClosures: config.autoCleanClosures,
         timer: new j$.Timer()
       });
       return spec;
@@ -1083,8 +1101,8 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
       }
 
       var spec = specFactory(description, fn, currentDeclarationSuite, timeout);
-      if (currentDeclarationSuite.markedPending) {
-        spec.pend();
+      if (currentDeclarationSuite.markedExcluding) {
+        spec.exclude();
       }
       currentDeclarationSuite.addChild(spec);
 
@@ -1104,7 +1122,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Env = function(j$) {
         ensureIsFunctionOrAsync(fn, 'xit');
       }
       var spec = this.it_.apply(this, arguments);
-      spec.pend('Temporarily disabled with xit');
+      spec.exclude('Temporarily disabled with xit');
       return spec.metadata;
     };
 
diff --git a/src/core/Spec.js b/src/core/Spec.js
index 6198d24f..fc7b935e 100644
--- a/src/core/Spec.js
+++ b/src/core/Spec.js
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
         return {};
       };
     this.onStart = attrs.onStart || function() {};
+    this.autoCleanClosures =
+      attrs.autoCleanClosures === undefined ? true : !!attrs.autoCleanClosures;
     this.getSpecName =
       attrs.getSpecName ||
       function() {
@@ -54,7 +56,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
     this.timer = attrs.timer || new j$.Timer();
 
     if (!this.queueableFn.fn) {
-      this.pend();
+      this.exclude();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -124,7 +126,9 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
 
     var complete = {
       fn: function(done) {
-        self.queueableFn.fn = null;
+        if (self.autoCleanClosures) {
+          self.queueableFn.fn = null;
+        }
         self.result.status = self.status(excluded, failSpecWithNoExp);
         self.result.duration = self.timer.elapsed();
 
@@ -181,6 +185,36 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
     this.queueRunnerFactory(runnerConfig);
   };
 
+  Spec.prototype.reset = function() {
+    /**
+     * @typedef SpecResult
+     * @property {Int} id - The unique id of this spec.
+     * @property {String} description - The description passed to the {@link it} that created this spec.
+     * @property {String} fullName - The full description including all ancestors of this spec.
+     * @property {Expectation[]} failedExpectations - The list of expectations that failed during execution of this spec.
+     * @property {Expectation[]} passedExpectations - The list of expectations that passed during execution of this spec.
+     * @property {Expectation[]} deprecationWarnings - The list of deprecation warnings that occurred during execution this spec.
+     * @property {String} pendingReason - If the spec is {@link pending}, this will be the reason.
+     * @property {String} status - Once the spec has completed, this string represents the pass/fail status of this spec.
+     * @property {number} duration - The time in ms used by the spec execution, including any before/afterEach.
+     * @property {Object} properties - User-supplied properties, if any, that were set using {@link Env#setSpecProperty}
+     * @since 2.0.0
+     */
+    this.result = {
+      id: this.id,
+      description: this.description,
+      fullName: this.getFullName(),
+      failedExpectations: [],
+      passedExpectations: [],
+      deprecationWarnings: [],
+      pendingReason: this.excludeMessage,
+      duration: null,
+      properties: null,
+      trace: null
+    };
+    this.markedPending = this.markedExcluding;
+  };
+
   Spec.prototype.onException = function onException(e) {
     if (Spec.isPendingSpecException(e)) {
       this.pend(extractCustomPendingMessage(e));
@@ -204,6 +238,10 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
     );
   };
 
+  /*
+   * Marks state as pending
+   * @param {string} [message] An optional reason message
+   */
   Spec.prototype.pend = function(message) {
     this.markedPending = true;
     if (message) {
@@ -211,6 +249,19 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Spec = function(j$) {
     }
   };
 
+  /*
+   * Like {@link Spec#pend}, but pending state will survive {@link Spec#reset}
+   * Useful for fit, xit, where pending state remains.
+   * @param {string} [message] An optional reason message
+   */
+  Spec.prototype.exclude = function(message) {
+    this.markedExcluding = true;
+    if (this.message) {
+      this.excludeMessage = message;
+    }
+    this.pend();
+  };
+
   Spec.prototype.getResult = function() {
     this.result.status = this.status();
     return this.result;
diff --git a/src/core/Suite.js b/src/core/Suite.js
index 5e9dba66..672bcb7e 100644
--- a/src/core/Suite.js
+++ b/src/core/Suite.js
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Suite = function(j$) {
     this.asyncExpectationFactory = attrs.asyncExpectationFactory;
     this.expectationResultFactory = attrs.expectationResultFactory;
     this.throwOnExpectationFailure = !!attrs.throwOnExpectationFailure;
+    this.autoCleanClosures =
+      attrs.autoCleanClosures === undefined ? true : !!attrs.autoCleanClosures;
     this.onLateError = attrs.onLateError;
 
     this.beforeFns = [];
@@ -43,27 +45,7 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Suite = function(j$) {
      */
     this.children = [];
 
-    /**
-     * @typedef SuiteResult
-     * @property {Int} id - The unique id of this suite.
-     * @property {String} description - The description text passed to the {@link describe} that made this suite.
-     * @property {String} fullName - The full description including all ancestors of this suite.
-     * @property {Expectation[]} failedExpectations - The list of expectations that failed in an {@link afterAll} for this suite.
-     * @property {Expectation[]} deprecationWarnings - The list of deprecation warnings that occurred on this suite.
-     * @property {String} status - Once the suite has completed, this string represents the pass/fail status of this suite.
-     * @property {number} duration - The time in ms for Suite execution, including any before/afterAll, before/afterEach.
-     * @property {Object} properties - User-supplied properties, if any, that were set using {@link Env#setSuiteProperty}
-     * @since 2.0.0
-     */
-    this.result = {
-      id: this.id,
-      description: this.description,
-      fullName: this.getFullName(),
-      failedExpectations: [],
-      deprecationWarnings: [],
-      duration: null,
-      properties: null
-    };
+    this.reset();
   }
 
   Suite.prototype.setSuiteProperty = function(key, value) {
@@ -100,10 +82,22 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Suite = function(j$) {
     return fullName.join(' ');
   };
 
+  /*
+   * Mark the suite with "pending" status
+   */
   Suite.prototype.pend = function() {
     this.markedPending = true;
   };
 
+  /*
+   * Like {@link Suite#pend}, but pending state will survive {@link Spec#reset}
+   * Useful for fdescribe, xdescribe, where pending state should remain.
+   */
+  Suite.prototype.exclude = function() {
+    this.pend();
+    this.markedExcluding = true;
+  };
+
   Suite.prototype.beforeEach = function(fn) {
     this.beforeFns.unshift({ ...fn, suite: this });
   };
@@ -135,10 +129,40 @@ getJasmineRequireObj().Suite = function(j$) {
   }
 
   Suite.prototype.cleanupBeforeAfter = function() {
-    removeFns(this.beforeAllFns);
-    removeFns(this.afterAllFns);
-    removeFns(this.beforeFns);
-    removeFns(this.afterFns);
+    if (this.autoCleanClosures) {
+      removeFns(this.beforeAllFns);
+      removeFns(this.afterAllFns);
+      removeFns(this.beforeFns);
+      removeFns(this.afterFns);
+    }
+  };
+
+  Suite.prototype.reset = function() {
+    /**
+     * @typedef SuiteResult
+     * @property {Int} id - The unique id of this suite.
+     * @property {String} description - The description text passed to the {@link describe} that made this suite.
+     * @property {String} fullName - The full description including all ancestors of this suite.
+     * @property {Expectation[]} failedExpectations - The list of expectations that failed in an {@link afterAll} for this suite.
+     * @property {Expectation[]} deprecationWarnings - The list of deprecation warnings that occurred on this suite.
+     * @property {String} status - Once the suite has completed, this string represents the pass/fail status of this suite.
+     * @property {number} duration - The time in ms for Suite execution, including any before/afterAll, before/afterEach.
+     * @property {Object} properties - User-supplied properties, if any, that were set using {@link Env#setSuiteProperty}
+     * @since 2.0.0
+     */
+    this.result = {
+      id: this.id,
+      description: this.description,
+      fullName: this.getFullName(),
+      failedExpectations: [],
+      deprecationWarnings: [],
+      duration: null,
+      properties: null
+    };
+    this.markedPending = this.markedExcluding;
+    this.children.forEach(function(child) {
+      child.reset();
+    });
   };
 
   Suite.prototype.addChild = function(child) {