Saturday, February 24, 2024 • Wilmington, NC • Course Map
Join us for an unforgettable race experience that captures the reason why people visit Wilmington, North Carolina the beaches and historic downtown! Our race event begins at the stunning Johnny Mercer Pier, where participants will gather to witness the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.
Depending on your chosen race—be it the half marathon, full marathon, or relay—you’ll embark on a fun journey that showcases the charm of Wilmington. Meanwhile, the 5K and 1-mile races will start and finish at the vibrant Live Oak Bank Pavilion in downtown Wilmington.
The first five miles of the course will take you along flat, runner-friendly main roads with one lane dedicated exclusively to our runners. Spectators are encouraged to line the route during this segment, but traffic will continue to flow with only a few minor detours. As you approach mile 6.5, runners will turn onto US 74, offering a change in scenery and a stretch of highway that will feature entertainment stations with a distinct Wilmington flair. This stretch is where you need to get mentally tough because it is 4 miles of straight road which is part of the journey to get downtown Wilmington.
Around mile 9, the course takes a slight incline as it rises above the marshland, providing runners with a view of old Wilmington and you can begin to see the downtown buildings . After an elevated stretch, you’ll descend into downtown, passing through Historic Downtown Wilmington, and finally, reaching the River Front finish for the half marathon.
For those tackling the full marathon, your journey continues beyond downtown, leading you to the serene beauty of Greenfield Lake. The remainder of the course remains mostly flat as you navigate the Greenfield Lake trail as an out-and-back route. Your triumphant finish awaits at the Live Oak Bank Pavilion in the heart of Historic Downtown Wilmington.
Come join us and experience the unique blend of coastal scenery, urban charm, and historic beauty that our race course has to offer. We can’t wait to have you as a part of this exciting event!”
From the start on Salisbury Street, runners follow the route westward toward the mainland and merges onto Causeway Drive, where runners cross the bridge over the causeway and make their way onto the mainland. From there, they follow Eastwood Road as the route turns onto Highway 74. Runners follow this road for much of the course’s remainder before turning into downtown Wilmington.
Much of the course is fast and flat, with elevation reaching a high point of 60 feet above sea level, making this half marathon a good choice for runners wishing to set personal records.
More than 2,300 runners crossed the finish line in the full marathon and half marathon combined in 2016, including just over 1,800 finishers in the half marathon.
Wrightsville Beach, N.C., photographed in 2007. (Photo by Brian Leon/flickr)
Race Weather & Climate
Located along the coast of southern North Carolina, roughly 10 miles from Wilmington further inland, Wrightsville Beach typically experiences mild to moderately cool and sometimes cold weather in late winter, with generally drier weather than in the summer. In February, temperatures average between 38°F and 60°F, while rainfall amounts average just over 3.7 inches for the month.
On race day (Feb. 24), the average low is 40°F and the average high is 62°F.
Wilmington Marathon Past Results
- 2023 Novant Health Wilmington Marathon Results
- 2022 NHRMC Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results
- 2021 NHRMC Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results (Live)
- 2021 NHRMC Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results (Virtual)
- 2019 NHRMC Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results
- 2018 NHRMC Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results
- 2017 Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results
- 2016 Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results
- 2015 Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results
- 2014 Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results
- 2011 Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon Results
Wilmington Marathon Course Map
See the race route map for the Wilmington Marathon Madness Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 7:10 AM – full marathon, half marathon
Fees
- $80 – $105 for the half marathon
- $100 – $120 for the full marathon
- $25 – $45 for the 5K
Wilmington Marathon Registration
To reserve your spot in the late winter/early spring 2024 running of the NHRMC Wilmington Marathon Madness Half Marathon, register online at RunSignUp.com here.
Is my dog allowed to run with me in this?