Next race
Saturday, 27 February 2027
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban and coastal road
Elevation
Flat · 50 m gain
50 m climbing
Race profile
The Wilmington Marathon draws approximately 1,600 finishers each February on an urban and coastal road in Wilmington, United States. The point-to-point design links beach scenery with a historic downtown finish in one of the South's best weather windows. The route passes Intracoastal Waterway stretches, Airlie-area roads, and the Cape Fear River in the final miles. The course is very flat throughout.
Wilmington Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 1,600 finishers
Course & terrain
Starts near Wrightsville Beach and finishes downtown on the riverfront. The route passes Intracoastal Waterway stretches, Airlie-area roads, and the Cape Fear River in the final miles. Very flat throughout. Very flat throughout.
The Wilmington Marathon course is flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
Registration
The Wilmington Marathon uses open online registration at wilmingtonncmarathon.com with no ballot or qualifying time required. Sign-up for the February race typically opens the previous year and places are allocated first-come, first-served. Tiered pricing increases closer to race day, and charity bibs are available through partner organisations when general entry closes.
Getting there
Wilmington International Airport (ILM)
6 km / 3 mi
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Wilmington.
The Delaware Marathon draws approximately 643 finishers each April on an urban road in Wilmington, United States. The Delaware Running Festival marathon is a USATF-certified Boston qualifier and Wilmington's flagship 26.2-mile race. The course tours Wilmington's Riverfront, Brandywine Park, and city neighborhoods on a rolling urban loop. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027
The Myrtle Beach Marathon draws approximately 1,800 finishers each March on a scenic coastal road in Myrtle Beach, United States. Its broad roads and beach-town atmosphere make it one of the easier early-season U.S. marathons for steady pacing. The course passes Ocean Boulevard, beachfront neighborhoods, and long flat stretches near the Atlantic shoreline. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Saturday, 6 March 2027
The Kiawah Island Marathon draws approximately 1,400 finishers each December on a resort island road in Kiawah Island, United States. Its quiet island setting feels markedly different from a big-city winter marathon. The course passes maritime forest roads, lagoons, golf fairways, and glimpses of boardwalks near the Atlantic. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Saturday, 12 December 2026
The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon draws approximately 1,400 finishers each November on an urban road in Charlotte, United States. It is North Carolina's oldest marathon and remains Charlotte's signature long-distance road race. The route passes Truist Field, the South End rail corridor, and leafy Myers Park streets before returning to the skyline. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Saturday, 14 November 2026
The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon is a beloved Virginia Beach tradition, drawing approximately 4,200 finishers each March along the Atlantic Ocean boardwalk. The out-and-back course follows the Virginia Beach oceanfront past the Neptune statue, the Fishing Pier, and the resort strip with flat coastal pavement throughout. March's cool Atlantic coast weather and post-race Shamrock party make it a classic East Coast spring marathon.
Next race: Saturday, 20 March 2027
The Richmond Marathon draws approximately 4,000 finishers on an urban road in Richmond, United States. The course starts and finishes at the Richmond Coliseum. The route follows the James River Park System and passes historic Monument Avenue. Very flat with riverside trails.
Next race: Saturday, 14 November 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
Which US marathons produce Boston qualifiers in practice — course data, typical BQ rates, and how to match a race to your qualifying window.
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
