Wilmington Historic Half, 10K & 5K 2026

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.