Wilmington · United States
Half Marathon races near Wilmington
4 races in 2026
next one in 17 days
Race calendar
Upcoming Half Marathon races near Wilmington
JUL 1
18JUL
Run · road · Half Marathon
Eagle 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (29)
Wilmington · 8 km away
AUG 2
15AUG
Run · road · Half Marathon
Ninja 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (33)
Wilmington · 5 km away
22AUG
Run · road · Half Marathon
Twin Anchors Copperhead Beer Relay 20K and Beer Mile
Hampstead · 27 km away
SEP 1
19SEP
Run · road · Half Marathon
2026 Marine Corps Half Marathon presented by FirstLight Home Care & USAA
Camp Lejeune · 74 km away
Wilmington · 80 km
4 races mapped
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Recurring Half Marathon races near Wilmington
Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly
Haunted 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (42)
The Haunted 5K, 10K & 13.1M in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a US Road Running event with Halloween themes, offering 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. All races commence at 8:00 AM. Packet pickup is available from 7:30 AM until 7:50 AM. Registration must be completed via RunSignup in advance; no race-day sign-ups will be accepted.
The 5K course involves two repetitions of a short out-and-back section. The half marathon course consists of six repetitions of a longer out-and-back section. This design utilizes a compact, looping format instead of a linear route through Wilmington. The event has a 3 hour and 30 minute time limit. Participants receive medals, and awards will be presented. Series points are awarded, and a best costume prize ensures the haunted theme is integrated beyond just the event's title.
Cape Fear Marathon & Half, presented by Mount to Coast and hosted by Badwater®
The Cape Fear Marathon & Half takes place entirely on Bald Head Island, North Carolina, offering 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon distances. Presented by Mount to Coast and hosted by Badwater, it shares organizers with the Badwater race series. The event occurs in October, beginning beside Old Baldy, North Carolina's oldest lighthouse.
The course utilizes Bald Head Island’s car-free, single-lane roads, incorporating a brief beach segment near Cape Fear. An aid station is situated near the start by Old Baldy, with another located at the Bald Head Island Conservancy, the race’s local charity partner. The marathon and half marathon run concurrently with the annual Badwater Cape Fear ultramarathon, an East Coast event that mirrors Badwater’s California races.
Run Ocean Isle Beach 2026
Run Ocean Isle Beach takes place on a late-October weekend on Ocean Isle Beach, a coastal island in southeast North Carolina. The event offers runners four in-person race options: a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1 mile. Virtual race options are also available for the half marathon, 10K, and 5K. Late October weather typically averages a high of 75 degrees and a low of 56.
The half marathon route crosses the Intracoastal bridge, circles most of the island, and features sections with oceanfront views. The 5K is a flat course, suitable for runners seeking the beach-race atmosphere without the longer distance. This event is part of the BAM! Races series. The finisher swag includes soft tri-blend shirts and large medals; past medal designs have featured surfboards, flip flops, glass, lockets, pirate themes, mosaics, and connecting pieces.
Medal Madness 5K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (44)
The Medal Madness 5K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (44) is a US Road Running event in Wilmington, North Carolina. Both the 5K and half marathon begin at 8:00 AM near 4099 S 17th St. The event is designed for runners and walkers. Online registration is required before race day, as there is no on-site registration. Packet pickup is limited to race morning, opening 30 minutes before the start and closing 10 minutes prior.
Both races feature repeat out-and-back courses. The 5K covers the same out-and-back section twice. The half marathon repeats its out-and-back section six times, making the event easy to follow for participants and spectators. The course time limit is 3 hours and 30 minutes. US Road Running provides themed finisher medals at its events. This series offers simple pricing, including reduced youth pricing for both distances.
Gobbler 5K, 10K & 13.1M at Wilmington, NC (47)
The Gobbler 5K, 10K & 13.1M is a running event in Wilmington, North Carolina, offering three distances: 5K, 10K, and a half marathon. It begins at 8:00 AM from 4099 S 17th St. Packet pickup opens 30 minutes before the start and closes 10 minutes prior. Participants must register in advance via RunSignup, as no race-day registration is available on-site.
The courses consist of simple out-and-back loops, making them easy to navigate and pace. The 5K involves completing a 1.56-mile out-and-back segment twice. The half marathon uses a 2.18-mile out-and-back segment six times. The event has a 3 hour 30 minute time limit. It is part of the US Road Running series, known for family-friendly events for runners and walkers, often featuring themed race branding and finisher medals.
Wilmington Historic Half, 10K & 5K
The Wilmington Historic Half, 10K & 5K takes place in Wilmington, North Carolina, in December. All races run on closed roads through the historic downtown. Participants can select the half marathon, 10K, 5K, a virtual option, or the Challenge. The Challenge combines the early 5K with the half marathon, totaling 16.2 miles. A strict cutoff applies to the Challenge: the 5K must be completed in under 45 minutes, as the half marathon begins later that morning with no exceptions for late starts.
The half marathon and 10K traverse all three downtown bridges and include over a mile on Wilmington’s well-regarded riverwalk, concluding in Riverfront Park. The 5K offers accessibility, while the Challenge presents a demanding local format for more competitive runners. All finishers receive a medal; Challenge participants get two medals and additional merchandise. The finish area features music, food, and beer from Wrightsville Beach Brewery and Oden Brewing Company. Race Raves voters recognized the half marathon as North Carolina’s top race, aligning with the event’s blend of downtown streets, bridges, riverfront paths, and efficient race-day logistics.
Run Oak Island
Run Oak Island is a race series held on President's Day weekend on Oak Island, North Carolina. The island is large enough to host a full marathon without extensive inland routes. The weekend features an ultramarathon, full marathon, two half marathons, a 10K, a 5K, and a 1-mile race, with virtual options available for most distances. Saturday's schedule includes the longer races, while Sunday focuses on the 10K, 5K, and 1-mile events. February in coastal North Carolina typically brings cool weather, with average high temperatures around 58°F and lows around 41°F.
The course follows the island's main roads, incorporating local scenery. Runners will see a lighthouse and over 13 miles of ocean views from the road. A bridge is featured on the West Half Marathon and marathon routes. The East Half Marathon is designed for competition, while the West Half Marathon is more accommodating for walkers. The 10K and 5K courses are entirely on the island, featuring minimal elevation gain and few turns. Run Oak Island is part of the BAM! Race Series, with BAM signifying #BigAssMedals. Finishers earn large 3D medals and custom tri-blend shirts. The race weekend also includes post-race parties with beer, BBQ, awards, and games.
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About Half Marathon races in Wilmington
Wilmington Coastal Miles
Wilmington hosts 11 Half Marathon races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.
The River Road trail runs 75 miles beside the Cape Fear River. The River Road trail has 8 miles with good shade. The outer loop is 55 miles. Runners do 5 miles when they want ocean breeze without beach sand. Wilmington Road Runners Club handles the weekly group-run rhythm. YMCA Tri-Span 5K, 10K, WILMA Dash, and Novant Health Wilmington NC Marathon anchor the calendar.
Local riders use the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail for 15 miles of base miles across town. The River to Sea Bikeway gives cyclists an 11-mile on- and off-road route toward the beach. at 6:00 PM, rolling at 6:15 PM, and riders of all levels are invited. Cape Fear Triathlon Club and Cape Fear SORBA keep the tri, singletrack, and mountain bike crowd connected. Blue Clay Park gives mountain bikers an 8-mile trail system. The climb runs 3 km with 342 m of elevation gain.
Spring from late February to early May gives runners and riders the cleanest training window. Autumn gives the city another strong block for intervals, long runs, and Z2 rides. Summer brings high humidity, and daily highs usually sit in the upper 80s to lower 90s °F, or 31–34 °C. Greenfield Lake Park and Halyburton Park matter more in summer because very little sun reaches the path on the loop. Winter keeps training alive with January highs in the mid-50s °F, or about 12 °C. Locals swap heat planning for layers, steadier pacing, and easier weekday miles.