Half Marathon is one 13.1 mile loop. Marathon is two loops. All paved roads. Certified. History of the Ellerbe Marathon The Ellerbe Marathon first ran in 1992. Its origin dates to the fall of 1991 as Mark Long and Doug Dawkins were returning from the Greensboro Marathon. At that time there were but a few marathons in North Carolina. By the time the pair had reached Richmond County on Highway 220 they had mostly agreed on the idea of working together to create a local marathon. That first race was held April 12, 1992 with 41 entrants and 39 finishers. There was no online entry. No website. All those interested had to request a paper entry form be mailed to them and return it with a check to enter. Aid stations had no food, just water and Gatorade. Runners had to finish the race to get a t-shirt. There were no medals. All “Old School.” There was a period in the 1990s when The Ellerbe Marathon and The Grandfather Mountain Marathon were the only two marathons in North Carolina.
The Ellerbe Marathon has survived many challenges and changes since that first year. We have survived changes in hosts, locations, and race directors. We survived Covid. But the Ellerbe Marathon has not missed a year since that first event in 1992, and we are now the oldest continuously held marathon in North Carolina. We followed the trend and now present t-shirts before the race. We have nice pottery wine cups for all who finish. And we have a nice custom medal. We have snacks at the aid stations and a post-race meal just like all the others. We have no sponsors we have to oblige. The only ones we have to please are our runners. We still have that “Old School” feel and hope to keep it. We don&#39;t have hundreds of entrants. But we have a good crowd every year, and we all have fun.
Certified Course The Ellerbe Marathon and Ellerbe Half Marathon courses are USATF certified. Course details and certification details are on our race web site. Our host is the Ellerbe Rescue Squad and the start and finish will be near their headquarters in downtown Ellerbe. Runners will leave Ellerbe on Page St. and do a loop in the countryside before returning to Ellerbe at 13.1 miles and a half marathon finish. Marathoners will do the same loop a second time to get the 26.2 mile marathon distance. All roads are paved state secondary roads and open to traffic. A map is on the race web site.
FOR INFORMATION
Contact Doug Dawkins, event director doug&#64;theboogieraces.com <a target="_blank">910-206-2095</a> text or call
Erin Dawkins Suwattana, assistant director/webmaster

Ellerbe Marathon

Post-Race Review/ Results

Chuck Engle won the Ellerbe Springs Marathon with a time of 2 hours 53 minutes and 35 minutes.

Engle, Bruno Capture Ellerbe Marathon Titles

The nineteenth annual Ellerbe Springs Marathon was won by James Pearce of Durham North Carolina with a time of 2 hours and 48 minutes.

Durham Man Wins Ellerbe Springs Marathon

Human Interest Story

Charles Woodward knows that most people don't give him a chance at finishing the difficult 26.2 miles of the Ellerbe Springs Marathon. Woodward, a cancer survivor, will raise funds while attempting to prove detractors wrong.

Cancer Survivor To Run For Special Cause at Ellerbe Springs Marathon

Andrea McGehee finished first overall in the 2009 Ellerbe Springs Marathon.

Runners Make Tracks in Ellerbe Springs Marathon

It's a Boogie Race. Come with no expectations

My favorite marathon that I have run for 18 years.

Well executed, lots of hills - GREAT small race!

Exceptionally well organized quaint marathon.

Tough little run through the countryside...

Great marathon; nice, soft shoulder if you need it

perfect marathon that treats runners well

Southern hospitality gets you through it!

The greatest small race! Did you say, "hills?"

My second Ellerbe - and I'll be back for three!

A great small marathon... but there are hills!

A terrific laid back but well organized marathon.

Beautiful, Challenging Course; Great Organizers!

Where did they find all those hills?!?!?!

A challenging marathon and well-kept secret

Small turnout hometown race with lots of prizes!

If Mayberry put on a marathon-this would be it!!!

Thank you for your interest in the Ellerbe Springs Marathon! If you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask using this form. We’ll do our best to respond as soon as possible.