Ocean City Island 2 Island Half Marathon & 5K

Saturday, April 27, 2019 • Ocean City, MDCourse Map

Runners followed a redesigned course for last year’s Ocean City Island 2 Island Half Marathon, one that’s similar to the route used in recent years except for one big difference — the route will be reversed this year, and will start on Assateague Island and finish at the Ocean City Inlet.

This popular race draws more than 2,500 runners out each year — most of those for the half marathon — for a course that runs along the Ocean City boardwalk and along the stretch of land in southeastern Maryland between the Isle of Wight Bay and Chincoteague Bay.

(In past years, the race also featured a full marathon, but the 26.2-mile race distance was dropped a few years ago and now the event includes the 13.1-mile half marathon and 5K distances.)

The point-to-point race route — which began last year at the Ocean City Pier — this year starts on Assateague Island National Seashore near the intersection of McCabe Road and Highway 611. From there, runners leave the starting line and make their way across the bridge over Sinepunxent Bay, and then onto Stephen Decatur Highway, heading north.

On Assateague when they’re in the state park area, runners may catch a glimpse of the national seashore park’s ample wildlife as they finish their run, including sitka deer and wild horses.

For most of the route, the course never strays far from the nearby seashore, and runners can expect plenty of wind and occasionally whipping sand blowing in from the beach. They’ll head north along 611 for the next several miles, turning off at a couple of roads — like Grays Creek Drive and Landings Boulevard — for brief out-and-back stretches.

Once they make it almost all the way north to U.S. 50 and the bridge over to Ocean City, they’ll turn before they get there onto Old Bridge Road. They’ll make another turn left that will bring them up to the bridge, which they’ll cross over into Ocean City.

The bridge leads directly to the Ocean City boardwalk, where runners will cross under the Boardwalk Arch and turn left, and follow the boardwalk all the way north to 4th Street. Once they make it to 4th, they’ll make a U-turn and then head back south, all the way to Ocean City Inlet for the race finish, passing by several of the boardwalk area’s carnival rides along the way.

The final stretch of the race features a loop around the Pier carnival area — past the Ripley’s Believe It or Not and the Jolly Roger at the Pier — before runners cross the finish line in the Ocean City Inlet parking lot.

Race Weather & Climate

Nestled along the southeastern coast of Maryland, about 138 miles southeast of Baltimore and roughly 147 miles by car from Washington, D.C., Ocean City typically sees some of its mildest weather of the year in April, which has brought record temperatures here as low as 20ºF (in 1971) and as high as 90ºF (in 1977).

On race day (April 27), the average low is 48ºF and the average high is 65ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Ocean City Island 2 Island Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

7:00 AM

Course Time Limit

  • 3 hours, 15 minutes – half marathon
  • 1 hour – 5K

Fees

  • $75 – $95 for the half marathon
  • $25 – $40 for the 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2019 running of Ocean City’s Island 2 Island Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at RunSignup.com here.

Official Race Website

octrirunning.com

Comments

Ever run in the Ocean City Island 2 Island Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: April, Maryland

3 comments… add one
  • Lindsey Arnold April 24, 2019, 9:02 pm

    I am running in this year’s half-marathon and couldn’t find anywhere on the websites that indicates whether headphones can be worn while running. I’ve seen pictures of past half-marathons and it appeared runners were wearing headphones, but just wanted to be certain.

    Also, are there designated areas for our family/friends too watch? Is there an App available or anything that allows spectators to track our progress and location?

    Reply
  • Sarah huff April 3, 2018, 10:12 am

    I was signed up for the island to island half marathon and am not able to make it. I lost my job and cannot afford a hotel. I was wondering if I could have a refund for my half marathon race since I am not able to make it. 🙁

    Reply
  • Claudia Guerrero April 20, 2017, 2:49 pm

    To whom it may concern,
    Congratulations in putting together such a great event! We are interested in sponsoring your event with complimentary coffee service on 4/29/17 for the volunteers, vendors and attendees. Contact me at your earliest convenience to talk about logistics and to answer any question you might have (323) 353-2699.

    Coffee Service value: $5,000- (Mobile Café, 2-3 Team Members, Coffee, Cups, Condiments and Samples)

    Thank you!
    Claudia Guerrero

    Reply

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