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Become An AdvertiserMarathon Details - Wilmington Marathon
North America Marathons > USA > NC > Wilmington > Wilmington MarathonWilmington Marathon
Wilmington, NC USA
February 22, 2025
Marathon Results
| By Year: | 2024 2023 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Top 3 Finishers |
Race Details
SUMMARY. The Full Marathon is the perfect Boston Marathon qualifying event because it's fast, flat, and notorious for being the backdrop for setting personal bests. The course starts in Wrightsville Beach and makes a straight shot to downtown Wilmington. Runners will span 6 bridges (4 flat) and run the best Wilmington, NC has to offer. Come span the Cape Fear Coast and run from destination to destination.
The Novant Health Wilmington Marathon is an event that attracts runners from around the world with its scenic route and excellent organization. The race starts on the beach with stunning sunrise views, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. Runners pass through picturesque areas, including beach and urban zones, as well as the UNC Wilmington campus.
The marathon is characterized by its long straight sections that allow for maintaining a steady pace, and several gentle hills that add variety and prevent monotony. The route also includes narrow paths and bridges, providing an extra challenge, especially at turns. Numerous aid stations along the course provide water, Gatorade, and gels, ensuring necessary support throughout the race.
Special attention is given to the organization, from packet pickup to the well-planned transportation logistics for participants. Volunteers at every stage offer crucial support and create a motivational atmosphere. The finish line is located downtown, where participants are greeted with applause and awarded medals. Post-race activities include food, drinks, and entertainment, allowing runners to relax and celebrate their achievements.
The advantages of this marathon include a scenic and fast route, excellent organization, and a warm supportive atmosphere. This marathon is ideal for achieving personal records and qualifying for the Boston Marathon, leaving unforgettable impressions on every participant.
Contact Information
| Name: | Tom Clifford | |
| Address: | PO BOX 10981
Wilmington, NC 28404 |
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| Phone Number: | 910-821-3009 | |
| Email: | Email the organizers | |
Runner Reviews (59)
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 4.4 |
Curtus Bowers from NC
(2/29/2024)
"Good race at the beach" (about: 2024)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Wilmington Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Race started an hour early due to construction. Scenic beginning and 2nd half, but many miles were on main roads getting to downtown. Mile marker distances were off around 7-9 which impacted the pace group. After turnaround at lake, the return path is narrow with some uneven footing and a little slippery over a few pedestrian bridges. It was difficult to pass during this part. The home stretch back downtown has a ~1mi gradual hill with a good headwind which turned downhill for a fast finish. The food and drink at the end was mediocre. I did really enjoy this race! | |
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h. b. from north carolina
(3/4/2023)
"fast and fun!" (about: 2023)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Wilmington Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run the half and full marathon here several times and it never disappoints! The current course is unique and beautiful! Starting at the beach with sunrise helps to build the excitement and the course has many long straight sections to build speed and lock into pace. The few gentle rolling hills provided great refief for my quads and helped keep yhe miles from becoming monotonous. I was worried about the out and back at Greenfield lake but the many spectators and cheering crowds stoked the fire. Seeing the other runners in both directions was motivating! The fast finish into town sped by. I enjoyed the after party and the seamless transportation by luxury coach bus back to the beach. I will do this race every time! Well organized and every detail accounted for! | |
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C. C. from McFarland, Wisconsin
(3/4/2023)
"Well run, fun race with great spectators" (about: 2023)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Wilmington Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
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N. T. from Charleston, SC
(3/4/2023)
"A special place. A special race." (about: 2023)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Wilmington Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a fun day. The race was so well organized. It started 10 minutes late due to an accident that had to be cleared out of the road but were totally transparent. Coral area was spacious and well organized. The course was great. Well-laid out, fantastic volunteers. It's a fast course. This race gets better every year and everyone - participants, volunteers, support teams- all wore smiles. Looking forward to it next year. This race delivers. Super stoked to see so many people show up for an event that certainly showed up for everyone. | |
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Ann Marie Pierce from NC
(3/4/2023)
"Fast, Encouraging, Well Planned" (about: 2023)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Wilmington Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Novant Health Wilmington Marathon is designed by runners, planned by runners, and well planned. Each year they continue to make it bigger and better. They consider everyone's feedback and have wonderful accommodations. It is a 'small town' race with the perks that a large race offers. There are 'lonely' stretches but they only last a short time before you're encouraged by another group or entertainment section of the course. The beach start is beautiful and even when it didn't start at the beach, there are plenty of beautiful views. The post race activities are very nice with beer options, food, entertainment (music), etc. There is so much planning involved and the runners best experience is the main mission, that's very obvious. Much of the Wilmington community comes out to support and you can't beat the downtown nightlife or a day at the beach! | |
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J. H. from Oak Island, NC
(2/26/2023)
"Meh." (about: 2023)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Wilmington Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The race organization seems to want to put on a truly wonderful race. The volunteers are terrific. However: - The start is way too congested. The race starts in a small beach town, and it's not made to handle 2,000+ people. - Because people were backed up trying to get to the start, the race started late. - The course is blah. Lots of highways and main roads. Much of the second half is in a residential neighborhood that is nice, but nothing special. - The course runs long. That residential neighborhood has runners in both directions for ~8 miles on windy roads. It's impossible to run tangents. - The course is flat, but not overly fast. There are multiple hairpin turns. As an added 'treat', the final half mile has eight 90-degree turns. - I don't care about medals, but if you do, you won't like these. Tiny and cheap. It's an OK local race. But I sure wouldn't travel to run this one. There are much better out there. | |
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P. C. from Wilmington NC
(10/30/2022)
"Well laid out course, well organized, and fast" (about: 2022)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Wilmington Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've been looking forward to this new course for a couple of years now and I must say I was not disappointed. It flowed nicely, was super fast even with some of the overall elevation, had good crowd support in strategic spots, the stations were in point and had plenty of water/Gatorade, it was super organized, and the overall atmosphere was electric for the size of the marathon. | |
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S. D. from North Carolina
(3/5/2022)
"Beautiful course, it's fast! Get your BQ!" (about: 2022)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Wilmington Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great, fast course! Good for that BQ, baby! I'm going to Boston! | |
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P. C. from Wilmington NC
(3/5/2022)
"Well laid out course, well organized, and fast" (about: 2022)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Wilmington Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've been looking forward to this new course for a couple of years now and I must say I was not disappointed. It flowed nicely, was super fast even with some of the overall elevation, had good crowd support in strategic spots, the stations were in point and had plenty of water/Gatorade, it was super organized, and the overall atmosphere was electric for the size of the marathon. | |
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A. S. from Wilmington, NC
(3/2/2022)
"Great coastal race!" (about: 2022)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Wilmington Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Loved the course, starting at the beach and ending on the riverfront. Pre race communication was very clear to avoid any confusion. Cant wait to race it again! |
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