Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

May 3, 2024

Wilmington Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Wilmington Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 4.5

Spectators 4.4

Number of comments: 59 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]

P. K. from North Carolina (3/22/2018) "I love this race for many reasons" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Wilmington Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run the Wrightsville Beach race four times(three halves, one full). The small town feel and great crowd support with the March Madness theme make it a really fun event. The course is excellent for racing, especially if you are looking to Boston Qualify (which I did in 2015). Several really fun parts of the race course include a lovely neighborhood with residents out cheering and also the Cross City Trail which covers several miles before the finish line. The lounge pants that were included with registration are a welcome change from the ordinary race shirt. This year, they were green with a St. Patricks Day theme and everyone seemed to love them. However, there was one glitch. The finisher medals did not arrive in a timely fashion so runners were disappointed at the finish line. I agree with the prior poster that this is a big deal, but honestly, it did not bother me since I knew we would eventually receive them. Overall, this race gets 5 stars and I will continue to come back to run it most every year.
T. B. from Pennsylvania (3/21/2018) "BROKE THE CARDINAL RULE" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Wilmington Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 I am giving this marathon negative feedback because it was not their first attempt and they botched several key items. The course was nice but the race started late, the bag drop had one table with 3 volunteers trying to take 3500 bags which does not work and the biggest issue was they did not have the medals at the finish line. This is the biggest problem and a runner from 2017 said they had medal issues as well last year. I paid for the race and flight to run and want my medal when I finish not two weeks later. You knew 364 days ago the race was on this day so there is not excuse not to have them. You really need to get organized if you want people to run your race.
J. R. from Tampa, Florida (5/19/2015) "Great race and expo" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The organization of this race was great. The course was beautiful even though you basically run 2 13.1s. They call this Wrightsville Beach even though it seams that 90% of it is run in Wilmington...poor Wilmington...no credit! I have no complaints, the weather was great and I PR'd. It started to rain at the end, but everything is held in a giant tent at the end. What a great setup!
H. S. from Winston Salem, NC (4/22/2015) "Great Event!!!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Wilmington Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run over 20 marathons and this is a very well organized event. Whether you want a good time or to have a good time, this marathon is for you. It is a fun event that the community seems to support. Flat course with some very small rolling hills to keep it from being a painful pancake-flat course. I have been a pace group leader each of the past four years and I definitely think this is a good course for a BQ/PR. The course has some repetition, but this allows friends and family to see you multiple times. The weather can be unpredictable this time of year, but an early start time of 6:40 helps most runners avoid the hottest part of the day.
K. C. from Wilmington NC (4/15/2015) "Beautiful & fast beach town race" (about: 2015) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Wilmington Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first race in my new hometown and I loved it. Highlights for me were temperature in the 50s, views, well organized, flat course and supportive crowds. The expo was nicely done and the after party/band was a lot of fun. I come from bigger city racing (NYC marathon, Vegas) and this was a very nice change of pace. Would and have recommended it. I've already signed up for the full in 2016!
K. J. from Denver, NC (4/14/2015) "Well Pleased with Wrightsville" (about: 2015) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Wilmington Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd marathon in a year, and by far, the best experience. The expo is small, but I am not one that shops a lot or wants to spend tons of time there. I went the first day and didn't have any issues with parking or getting my bib and shirt (which is one of my favorite race shirts now - love the material and fit). I did appreciate the course info session, as I had questions about the mats on the drawbridge (new this year). Shuttle service on race day was a breeze. Even had port o johns there while you wait. No issues at the start either (well, the port o johns were all bunched together which made for interesting time getting in line for those). For those concerned with the loops, I didn't mind the repeated sections. I honestly felt that it helped get my mind off the miles to know that I would see my family 3-4 times at certain mile markers. They were able to easily park near the finish area and walk across Military Cutoff when they knew I would be coming up. When running the full, it is a tad lonely going back out to repeat the first small loop, but my pace group (Shout out to Christine Rthe pacer for the 3:45 group!) was great so it made up for the lack of spectators there. I can't say enough about the 'March Madness' themed aid stations and the Landfall community. Outstanding! Different flavors of Gatorade (PLEASE keep the different flavors for next year. Variety is good!), water, bananas, oranges, gels all offered. Flat coke and Twizzlers were on the full course. The Landfall residents even had their own 'buffets' laid out of Dunkin Donuts, coffee cake, mimosas, and orange juice. (No way I could've eaten those things, but for anyone with those types of cravings in the last miles there you go). Probably lots of other choices, but those are what I could see. I can't count how many times I was told how great I was doing or asked if I needed anything. I was running with the pace group up until mile 19, and my right leg decided the day was done. The cheers and the enthusiasm from the aid stations/Landfall crew kept me positive for the rest of my miles. There were a few spots in the neighborhood that were quiet, but nothing to make you feel like it was a 'ghost town'. Finishing the race was a little different with the few quick turns, but the music and Natty Green/Sam Adams made up for it. My family was able to get to me immediately, and we didn't have any issues when leaving the festivities. We didn't spend a lot of time at the after party (due to travel), but since my husband and another family member have decided to do their first fulls at Wrightsville next year, we will make sure to hang out and enjoy! I love that this is a 'smaller' race, and I hope it stays that way. Looking forward to '16!
M. E. from Virginia (4/14/2015) "Great Time, Great Race" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Wilmington Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ran the half marathon in 2014 and enjoyed the experience so much that I returned for the full in 2015. The race staff is unbelievably friendly and helpful. The course offers a variation of neighborhoods and businesses. Nice, flat course, fast enough that I ran a PR. The spectators were full of energy and surprisingly loud for the numbers.
R. W. from Greer, South Carolina (4/14/2015) "By far the best organized races I have ran." (about: 2015) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Wilmington Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Traveled 5 hours to participate in the marathon and was not disappointed. The activities the night before were awesome and there were many great vendors to assist you with everything you would need to be successful. You could enjoy the speakers while having a pasta dinner with all the fixings (including free Samuel Adams beer). The course was flat but had a lot of turns and even with the mat over the drawbridge you still had to be very careful crossing. There were a lot of aid stations manned by college teams with everything from water to candy bars not to mention the support and cowbells along the way. I have never seen that many spectators at a race before, it was like everyone in the town came out to cheer you on. At the end everyone that finished received a very nice finishers metal (bling) and again free Samuel Adams beer. This is by far one of the most organized and most fun races I have participated in and will definitely run it again.
B. N. from NC (4/14/2015) "I keep coming back and will again in 2016!" (about: 2015) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Wilmington Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a GREAT RACE! I really enjoy the early pre-dawn morning start. I read some complaints about this but are you here to race and appreciate the cool early morning start or here to spectate? I get wanting it to be scenic and fast but I can't stand racing in the heat of the day and prefer this concept. The aid stations are always so much fun and the local colleges really outdo themselves every year! I guess the only thing I would request are some considerations for athletes with food allergies. My son is gluten and peanut intolerant and there are almost never any post race foods for him and me to consume. Thank you for a great race and see you next year!
C. S. from NC (4/14/2015) "Flat fast course" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Wilmington Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Beautiful race course. Starts on the beach, then through a gated community twice. There are parts where the spectator attendance and support is heavy and then some not as much. Race is run very well, by a runner. Weather can be iffy but it's generally cooler. Easy to get to and from the start and finish line. Good atmosphere with a lot of college alumni attendance.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]

Quick Links

Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools

Become an Advertiser

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Click Here: Please visit our Sponsor

Become an Advertiser

© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC

Privacy Policy Refund Policy Terms of Use