Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
Emerald Isle, NC
- Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Get ready to soak up the sun, sea breeze, and scenic views on North Carolina’s beautiful Crystal Coast as you run for a cause at the annual Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K! This USATF-certified and sanctioned race isn’t just about the views, it’s also a Boston Qualifier– so … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 24):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 70 | 80 | 73 | 74 | 77 |
| L (°F) | 49 | 59 | 46 | 62 | 57 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Highly recommend- great location.
The team does a great job all the way around, the location is terrific, giving you a loop tour of the island. The weather in 2025 was perfect. The size … MORE
The team does a great job all the way around, the location is terrific, giving you a loop tour of the island. The weather in 2025 was perfect. The size of the race is manageable for the location, but I can see why they cap it. This is a neat area, not far from Wilmington and other interesting places along the NC coast.
Recommended and enjoyed
2022 Emerald Isle Marathon was my 133rd marathon since my first one in 1980. I am a 67 year old male. The race director and her team provided the things … MORE
2022 Emerald Isle Marathon was my 133rd marathon since my first one in 1980. I am a 67 year old male.
The race director and her team provided the things I value most in a marathon including starting right on time, clearly marked course, adequate aid stations with plenty of volunteers and a course which is safe from vehicles and mostly flat and can be paced evenly.
With all of these things handled for me very well by the race director and her team, I was able to run without distraction or apprehension.
The race registration stayed open until race day and it allowed me to wait until only a week before the race to make a final decision about running which I based in part on the race day weather forecast and no injuries.
My purpose(s) for running 2022 Emerald Isle Marathon included BQ time and sub 4 hour time and they were accomplished.
For me, good and nearly even pacing is really important to a finish time which most fully realizes my fitness potential and this race and course provided an excellent good pacing opportunity.
There was a slight headwind from about 12m to about 18m but then a slight tailwind from 19m to the finish.
There are 40 turns in the course but almost none of them are close together and all are well marked. Lots of turns probably make the course slower than one with fewer turns but the turns also break up the course into shorter sections which is mentally helpful for me.
The longest straight section of the course was from 19m to 26m which allowed focus just on moving ahead.
The mile markers at 7m and 8m were misplaced by about .05m but others were correctly placed. That’s about the only mistake I observed and I share it to give perspective and a compliment to the race director and her team for an excellent race which I recommend and enjoyed.
Great beach marathon
Marathon was very well run minus a hiccup (race info stated there would be 4 pacers with signs for marathon but never saw any). Aside from that, race was so … MORE
Marathon was very well run minus a hiccup (race info stated there would be 4 pacers with signs for marathon but never saw any). Aside from that, race was so well marked and had so many wonderful volunteers it made the course with lots of turns very easy to follow. The course went through mostly residential areas and it was fun to have all the people cheering you on. The course was pretty much pancake flat and fast. Race size was just right. Would run this race again.
Sanctioned Race with No Hills!
This sanctioned race is a qualifier for the Boston and Chicago Marathons. With no hills, it is an opportunity to get your best PR ever! The event was very well … MORE
This sanctioned race is a qualifier for the Boston and Chicago Marathons. With no hills, it is an opportunity to get your best PR ever! The event was very well managed. The race director was both accessible and attentive and the support crew and sponsors were encouraging and friendly.