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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

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Wilmington Marathon

Wilmington, NC
Saturday, February 27, 2027


  4.2 Stars from 5 Reviews
Top 50 Best Boston Qualifying Marathon for 2026

Course Description
The marathon course in Wrightsville Beach. The first 5 miles will be on flat main roads. Once the runners hit mile 6.5, they will turn onto US 74 and head downtown. By mile 9, US 74 raises up over the marsh land of Wilmington and runners will be elevated over land for 1.5 miles until the half splits from the full. The marathon will continue to Greenfield Lake and back to the finish at Live Oak Bank Pavilion in downtown Wilmington.

February Other Marathons in February Other Marathons in North Carolina Marathons near Wilmington, NC



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Saturday, February 27, 2027
2026: Saturday, February 28, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 56°F (13°C)
Average High: 67°F (19°C)
Average Low: 45° F (7°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.10
Course Score: 99.10

Race Size

2026: 1,492 Finishers
2025: 1,103 Finishers
2024: 899 Finishers
2023: 728 Finishers
2022: 595 Finishers
2021: 326 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 11.3%
2025: 10.6%
2024: 11.4%
2023: 12.5%
2022: 16.8%
2021: 22.1%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 13 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 63°F  (17°C)
Low: 47°F  (8°C)

Race Start Conditions

49°F  (9°C)
Humidity: 81%

Clear
N 6 mph

PR Score

99.01

Course Score

99.31






Wilmington Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Wilmington Marathon was the 83rd largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 90th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 11.3% of Wilmington Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 10.6% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Wilmington Marathon ranked 127th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 56th so far in 2026. In North Carolina, it ranked 2nd in 2025 and 2nd so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Wilmington Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Wilmington Marathon has a Course Score of 99.10, ranking it as the 200th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest marathon course in North Carolina.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Wilmington Marathon a PR Score of 99.10. The PR Score ranks the Wilmington Marathon as the 146th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 4th best marathon for a PR in North Carolina.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Wilmington Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and North Carolina for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Wilmington Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed200th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 5th fastest marathon course in North Carolina
Top 44% Nationally#5 of 16 in North Carolina
PR Potential146th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 4th best marathon for a PR in North Carolina
Top 32% Nationally#4 of 16 in North Carolina
Boston Qualifier Rate127th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd highest BQ percentage in North Carolina
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 27% Nationally#2 of 13 in North Carolina
Race Size83rd largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd largest marathon in North Carolina
Based on 2025 results
Top 14% Nationally#2 of 16 in North Carolina

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 63 feet (19m)
Min Elevation: 1 feet (0m)

Elevation Gain: 419 feet (127m)
Elevation Loss: 419 feet (127m)


Wilmington

Course updated 12/23/2025




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Wilmington Marathon

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Compare the Wilmington Marathon to other Marathons

Use tools below to compare races and convert times across courses.

Do you want to see how the Wilmington Marathon stacks up against other marathons?

Compare the details of the Wilmington Marathon side-by-side with other marathons with our Comparison Tool.


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Wilmington Marathon in 4:43:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

See how your finish time would compare on other marathon courses with our Time Conversion Tool.


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Race Reviews


4.2
Based on 5 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Fun!!

Full Review:

This course is beautiful, fun, and decently flat. I love how spectators can be all over this course!

Race Tips:

FUEL!!
Reviewed by Lauren About 2026

Pros and cons

Full Review:

The course was pretty darn flat. The course scenery was at times beautiful, sometimes Industrial, and sometimes just boring. The aid stations were well stocked with helpful volunteers. However, I never did find any post race food. I received a bottle of water at the finish line and there were food trucks selling food but was never able to locate bananas, cookies, or potato chips There were some locals including college students out cheering along the course. Logistically, you have to plan ahead for a point to point race. So I stayed at the starting line in a hotel on the beach. Took a shuttle ride back to the hotel post race. All of that went smoothly. There was a Christian prayer just prior to the playing of the national anthem. I would have preferred a secular moment, a prayer or moment of silence that would be more inclusive for people of all faiths or no faiths. Bonus points for the T-shirt fit! However, the t-shirts were all individually packaged in plastic. Hate to see that, and especially for a beach town.

Race Tips:

There is an out and back section around Greenfield lake. I found that to be mentally pretty tough. Review the course map and be ready for that.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Stay at the beach and bring your own post-race snacks.
Reviewed by Kristie About 2025

Beautiful, well organized race!

Full Review:

Such a beautiful area for a race. The temperature was perfect with a slight breeze, low 50's. The volunteers were just amazing! Every time I started to feel lonely there seemed to be a couple volunteers in their cheery pink shirts yelling and jumping up and down and just encouraging me so much! Even though it was a great race all around, I think the volunteers were the best part.

Race Tips:

The marathoners stick with the half marathoners right up until almost 13 miles. Normally this would bug me but since it was so small it kind of helped me along because they were pushing around mile 12 for a fast finish so I just flowed along with them. Same goes for the relay--sometimes I'm bothered that they're all fresh and I'm about to keel over but it was encouraging and they were encouraging. Since it's not very hilly--my Garmin said about 350 feet total elevation gain/loss--even splits are possible. Enjoy the scenery--it will make you hurt less!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I stayed in the Embassy Suites in Wilmington and it was so easy, just steps from the Expo and about a half mile walk to the shuttle pick up, which went smoothly! It was cold at the start and I'm glad I brought a throw away jacket to wear and a jacket in my drop bag that I used to keep warm while waiting for the start. Lines weren't too long at the porta potties. Finish line food was good---loved the Nothing Bundt Cake samples and the Waffle house chicken biscuits, chocolate milk, granola bars, bananas, etc.
Reviewed by Dena About 2022

Not Pancake flat

Full Review:

Small expo, Great pacers and amazing volunteers. New course 2017 is not flat at all, some elevation and some of the areas are lonely with no crowd support. Carry your own water.

After party ran out of Pizza and had to wait too long to eat.

Race Tips:

Plan for weather ahead of time. Save energy towards the end, the 2017 course has you going by the bridge 3x, gets a little boring. Make sure you grab the bracelet that determines you have gone through the loop once (or they will send you back ). It is the beach so it will be humid and hot. Plan accordingly.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

There are plenty places to stay outside the city. Great shuttle services too.
Reviewed by SG About 2017

Full Review:

I ran the first running of this marathon. It was well-organized for a first year race. You could tell it was organized by runners.

Race Tips:

Really flat course. The only "hill" is going over the drawbridge leaving the beach in the first mile. Basically a double loop course with the majority through neighborhoods. I found the course boring for a "beach" marathon. All but the first mile is run off the island.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

It is a point to point course that starts close to Wrightsville Beach and ends at Mayfaire Shopping Center off the island. Runners are bused out to the starting line. There is limited parking at the start line and I think they bus back there after the race. If you are riding the bus from finish to start then you need to get there pretty early. Shell Island Resorts is the host hotel has shuttle to the start and back from the finish. I recommend staying there.
Reviewed by Greg H About 2010