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.
The Wilmington Marathon was the 93rd largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 96th largest in 2023.
This year 10.6% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 11.4% of runners qualified for Boston in 2024.
This gives the Wilmington Marathon the 149th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 19th highest percentage so far in 2025.
Its Course Score of 99.12 ranks it as the 185th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest course in North Carolina.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Wilmington Marathon a PR Score of 99.12. This PR Score ranks it as the 133rd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 4th fastest in North Carolina.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Wilmington Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 60 feet (18m) Min Elevation: 2 feet (0m)
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.
Stay at the beach and bring your own post-race snacks.
Dena's review of 2022 Wilmington Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
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!
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.
SG's review of 2017 Wilmington Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
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.
There are plenty places to stay outside the city. Great shuttle services too.
Greg H's review of 2010 Wilmington Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
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.
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.
4 Stars from 4 Reviews
