Atlantic City Marathon & Half Marathon
Atlantic City, NJ
- Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Established in 1958, the Atlantic City Marathon is the third oldest continuing marathon in the United States. The marathon course is noted for being fast and flat, including eight miles of oceanfront Boardwalk running! Each race weekend, Atlantic City hosts four race distances including the 26.2 mile marathon and 13.1 … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 17):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 81 | 63 | 63 | 68 | 63 |
| L (°F) | 45 | 40 | 45 | 56 | 50 |
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Boardwalk Running in Atlantic City
I enjoyed this race weekend experience because of the friends I traveled with, and it checked off New Jersey for my 50 States journey, but Atlantic City is a little … MORE
I enjoyed this race weekend experience because of the friends I traveled with, and it checked off New Jersey for my 50 States journey, but Atlantic City is a little rough and I don’t think I’ll be rushing back. The race is well-organized and they did a great job with the support and swag. The shirts and medals are really nice! We stayed at the Claridge Hotel, which I recommend as it felt a little bit nicer than Bally’s, somewhat removed from the casino craziness (but still attached for easy Expo access, and steps from the boardwalk start/finish). The weather was beautiful and the course was interesting, my first time running on a boardwalk. It felt a little strange to me, as a back-of-the-packer, to be running along the boardwalk amongst the tourists. I also did not love having to run past the finish line festivities when I still had four hot, sunny, out-and-back boardwalk miles to go! I wouldn’t call this race back-of-the-pack friendly, as they expect you to stick to a fairly strict time limit. But, if you can make it to mile 8 or so, once you’re back on the boardwalk, then you can take your time. All in all, if this race works with your schedule, it would be a solid option for New Jersey, but it’s most likely a one-and-done for me.
Running on the boardwalk is fun!
Good race production. Good medal and long sleeve shirts. Loved running along the boardwalk. Didn't really like the first ~7 miles of running up and down highways and overpasses, but … MORE
Good race production. Good medal and long sleeve shirts. Loved running along the boardwalk. Didn’t really like the first ~7 miles of running up and down highways and overpasses, but appreciated that at least it was mostly a closed course at that point. Plenty of water and Gatorade on the course and the RD is awesome. Didn’t get to experience the expo as I arrived late and did morning packet pickup. Stayed right at Bally’s – highly recommended. I usually don’t stay walking distance from the start due to costs but we booked in advance and it was super worth it. After-party was ok, wish there were more food options. Overall, good, fun race.
My 50th state
This was the combination of 62 full marathons and my 50th State and most likely my last marathon lol Everything went smooth, from packet pick up to Reyes morning to … MORE
This was the combination of 62 full marathons and my 50th State and most likely my last marathon lol
Everything went smooth, from packet pick up to Reyes morning to the finish line. The only thing that was an issue, if you were slower, you did not get any gels that they advertise would be on the course. Other than that, it was a great day, a little warmer than it should’ve been But beautiful sunshine and a nice breeze.
It was ok
-Let's start off with the bad: The race website says Gels/nutrition at mile 7, 15 and 17 and 20. THERE WAS NOT. There were only gels at mile 17. I … MORE
-Let’s start off with the bad: The race website says Gels/nutrition at mile 7, 15 and 17 and 20. THERE WAS NOT. There were only gels at mile 17. I planned my nutrition based on the website and was starving. Lesson learned, never trusting a race site again.
-The “expo” was terrible. Maybe 3 stalls and nothing interesting. Which, is fine, but parking is the responsibility of the runner… Parking was $35 at the hotel where it was held, with no discount, and I spent maybe 5 minutes in the hotel picking up my bib/shirt.
-Ok THE GOOD: The race shirt was hooded and adorable! Probably one of the best race shirts I’ve ever seen. I didn’t actually want to buy any race merch because the race shirt was so perfect.
-The course itself was pretty wonderful. Lots of time along the boardwalk — approximately 8 miles, maybe more. There was a substantial amount of wind, but that’s to be expected. The race was mostly flat, except for some overpasses and bridges at the beginning half of the course. Mile 9 and on was completely pancake flat.
-There were crowds along the course cheering, but they seemed like confused locals that didn’t know a race was going on, and came out to see what the noise was about and found themselves cheering.
-The finish line was standardly stocked with bagels and bananas and there was a small picnic area to sit.
-Overall a great race, and a good was to check off New Jersey.
Fun to run the boardwalk
Beautiful weather and mostly enjoyable course. The first half is mostly industrial but the 2nd half is better running through neighborhoods. And the 8 miles along the boardwalk is nice. … MORE
Beautiful weather and mostly enjoyable course. The first half is mostly industrial but the 2nd half is better running through neighborhoods. And the 8 miles along the boardwalk is nice. Love the shirt and the medal. Stayed at the Claridge, an historic hotel right by the start.
Maybe if I was a Gambler
A good race to knock off New Jersey in my 50 staes quest. It would be more of a desirable destination race for those who like to gamble. I dont, … MORE
A good race to knock off New Jersey in my 50 staes quest. It would be more of a desirable destination race for those who like to gamble. I dont, so Atlantic City didnt offer me much. Running along the boardwalk was very scenic, but i suggest you do a shakeout run the day before if you have never run on a wooden boardwalk. It wasnt until you got into thr communities south of A/C that there were a lot of people in the street cheering on the runners. Surprisingly few people along the boardwalk. Plenty of water stops. Race shirt and Neptune challenge shirt were nice drifits.
Boardwalk for miles
The boardwalk was interesting to run on for the race. Slightly unstable on certain planks, but we were right beside the beach. We went on the road for a bit … MORE
The boardwalk was interesting to run on for the race. Slightly unstable on certain planks, but we were right beside the beach. We went on the road for a bit through neighborhoods, but overall I thought it was a good representation of Atlantic City. I stayed at the host hotel, Bally’s. It was super convenient to just walk outside and be dumped right in front the start line. By far the EASIEST race logistics.
Fun Race on the Boardwalk
This was a fun race in Atlantic City. The race starts and ends on the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk. There are a couple bridges & overpasses in the first part … MORE
This was a fun race in Atlantic City. The race starts and ends on the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk. There are a couple bridges & overpasses in the first part of the race that add some slight elevation, but overall, this is a pretty flat course. From mile 7.5 to the end, the race is run on the boardwalk. The view of the ocean as you reach the boardwalk is amazingly beautiful…. especially if you are blessed to run on a sunny morning. However, be careful about your footing on the boardwalk, because there are a few loose boards. Also, the spectators tend to wander into the course because there are no barriers for most of the length of the Boardwalk. The mentally tough part of the race is that runners pass right by the finish line at about mile 9… and you have to keep going! The finisher medal is nice, and the race is well organized. Overall, this race is worth traveling to run.
Down at the Boardwalk
Pre race communication was sufficient. Expo was at host hotel Bally’s. It was smaller and race directors were great. Parking was $10 if you stayed at the hotel. Weather was … MORE
Pre race communication was sufficient.
Expo was at host hotel Bally’s. It was smaller and race directors were great.
Parking was $10 if you stayed at the hotel.
Weather was perfect. Beautiful day!
Course started out on boardwalk, then quickly went to city streets, next was a couple of ramps, then through a tunnel, it really leveled off after this, city streets for a few more miles then return to boardwalk which seemed to never end. I thought might have to dodge walkers and bikers on boardwalk, but it was a nonissue. Overall a good course!
Beautiful views of ocean and beach from parts of the boardwalk.
Aid stations were plentiful and well staffed.
Swag was a long sleeve dri-fit shirt and a cool spinner medal.
Post race had bananas, Powerade, Smart water, popcorn, and bagels with peanut butter.
I doubled this race with Baltimore Race Festival, the day before, so I was able to knockout 2 states.
I definitely recommend this race!
Beware of the boardwalk
-Beautiful views running along the Atlantic coast -half the race is on the boardwalk and it isn't the best maintained. Lots of loose boards and you have to keep your … MORE
-Beautiful views running along the Atlantic coast
-half the race is on the boardwalk and it isn’t the best maintained. Lots of loose boards and you have to keep your eyes down and watch your step
-Good course management at either end off the boardwalk but on the boardwalk there is a bunch of people walking across the course.
-For being in populated area there was very little crowd support. Most of the time just locals on the boardwalk staring and wondering why you are running around them.
-Course map listed a bunch of entertainment stations on course but there was only 1 live band on the boardwalk.
-Half and full marathon start together and it is a small chute and not organized for a 2,000+ people.
-water and gatorade and 1 or 2 stations had gel packs but no fruit or anything else so bring your own stuff.