Run one of the fastest point to point races on the East Coast!

Our point-to-point race is fast with very few turns providing over thousands of runners of all speeds–from first-timers to the most competitive runners a chance to achieve their race goals.

Wilmington is certified and sanctioned by USATF and is a Boston Marathon and US Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier.

26.2 | Full Marathon

The Full Marathon is the perfect Boston Marathon qualifying event because it’s fast with very little turns, pretty flat because it is on the coast, and notorious for being the backdrop for setting personal bests. The course starts in Wrightsville Beach and makes a straight shot to downtown Wilmington. The back half of the marathon is in beautiful Greenfield Lake and will finish at Live Oak Bank Pavilion. Runners will run from the beaches to historic downtown Wilmington.

13.1 | Half Marathon

Designed to test your limits, the Half-Marathon guides runners on a fast-paced trip from Wrightsville Beach’s waterfront straight to the Cape Fear River. This run is popular because of its point to point nature with very little turns. The course is flat with some small inclines to change up the muscle groups but nothing that will slow you down. Come enjoy this is a fun, fast destination to destination race.

26.2 Relay
Marathon Relay

Grab a friend (or three) and get ready to cover some ground! The Marathon Relay is the perfect opportunity to perfect your skills as a team, with flat course expanses and a route that takes each of you through an iconic part of Wilmington or the Wrightsville Beach area. The exchanges happen quickly, so make sure each runner is ready to go, right from the starting line.

The Fleet Feet Downtown 5K
3.1 miles

If you’re not into the long distance, the Fleet Feet Downtown 5K is a great place to participate and enjoy the weekend experience. The 5K provides a manageable course that makes it easy to mark your progress along the way and finishes Saturday morning in the same location as the half and full marathon route. Show off all your hard work and use this mostly flat, maintained course to improve your skills as a runner.

Lidl
1 Mile Glow Run
Presented by Truist

Calling all Kids! The NOVANT HEALTH Wilmington Marathon features a free kids 1 mile Glow race. Thank you to both Lidl and Truist Bank for coming on board and helping support our healthy kids initiative. We want to inspire kids to run without the cost and get kids from all backgrounds to participate. Kids will get a race t-shirt, bib, and free food at the finish!

Course Maps

Whether you are a runner looking to win your age group or a first time marathoner, you need to know the course. Check out our detailed maps page. Full, Half and Relay race begins at Wrightsville Beach and the 5K and 1 mile are both downtown. Explore Wilmington, NC from our Beaches to Historic Riverfront!

All Maps and logistics here

Schedule of Events

Thursday February 22nd, 2024

5:00pm to 7:00pm – Expo/Packet Pickup at Wilmington Convention Center

Friday February 23rd, 2024

12:00PM – Expo/Packet Pickup at Wilmington Convention Center
6:15pm – 1 mile Kids Glow Run presented by Truist
7:00pm Packet Pickup Ends

Saturday, February 24th, 2024

4:30am Shuttle Service Begins
7:05am: National Anthem
7:00am: 5K start downtown Wilmington at Live Oak Bank Pavilion
7:20 am: Half and Full Marathon and Marathon Relay Start
8:30 am 5K Awards
9:30 am Half Marathon Award
11:00am Full Marathon Award
1:20pm Course Cutoff

Detailed Schedule Here

Runner Reaches Olympic Trials in The Marathon with over 4000 Runners in Wilmington

02.27.2023

WILMINGTON, NC Ann Marie Pierce, a mom of two, wins the marathon at the Novant Health Wilmington Marathon and qualified for the US Olympic Trials with a time of 2:36:17. She hit the mark 43 seconds faster than the standard of 2:37:00. In Houston last month, she was...

What is the Percentage of Our Runners That BQ?

12.02.2022

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a big goal for so many people! Runners look for a fast and fairly flat running course so they can get into their pace groove without too many deviations. The Wilmington Marathon course has very few turns. It is a smooth point...

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“This is a beautiful, scenic race. The volunteers were cheerful and plentiful. There was always some encouragement along the way! Lots of food at the finish line, Gatorade, water and a few GU stations along the course. Perfect running weather! Logistics were made simple–I stayed at the Embassy Suites in Wilmington and it was steps away from the Expo and a short walk to the shuttle pickup. They also provided a grab and go breakfast. Kudos to the race organizer!!!”

D.D. from Las Vegas, NV

This is a first class event!! Very well organized, great expo and vendor support! The course was great starting at the beach, into downtown, then out around greenfield lake and back through downtown to the finish. It is mostly flat, with some gradual inclines, mostly in the first half on the way towards downtown. The Greenfield lake portion is flat as a pancake. The course was well marked, plenty of aid stations, and had incredible community support. Wilmington is a perfect place for a long weekend getaway and race!

Greg from Asheboro, NC

We get to enjoy the sunrise on the pier over the water. It was the most picturesque Marathon starting areas I’ve seen. On the practical side, there are tons of clean port-a-johns and for the first time ever, I didn’t have to wait in line to use one. There were pacers with bright green bibs announcing their target finishing time.

There are aid stations every two miles and a few spectators in between. The half marathon and full marathon start at the same time and cover the first 12.5 miles together.

Reggie from NY

I flew down with my son to run a couple races. He did the 1 mile on Friday. Great night race, with positive energy, glow sticks and FAST times! Aaron left with a desire to run another.

The marathon was a fun race, with really great spectators. Constant cheering, and great aid stations. The start was congested, but they held the race to accomodate. Not much you can do about it, but I’ll head down earlier in the future.

I’ll be coming back for years to come.

Thanks for a great experience.

The 2023 race held in Wilmington was hands down the best race in terms of logistics I have ever experienced in my 15 years of distance running. I have ran 5 of the 6 world majors and tons of half marathons around the world and this race stands out for 3 reasons. First off, the organizers are accomplished endurance athletes. Secondly the support from the local community is UNMATCHED! Lastly, the weather is near perfect each February for this race! Do yourself a favor and come on down to do the Wilmington NC marathon, half marathon, or 5K!

Anthony

I drive 700 miles one way for this race and have done so every year it’s been held because it’s such a well organized race and such a friendly group of volunteers and runners. Thanks to everyone who makes it possible.

Randy