The race starts in "downtown" Rehoboth Beach. The early part of the course (miles 2-3) runs along the boardwalk allowing for some great ocean views. Then the route takes runners … MORE
The race starts in “downtown” Rehoboth Beach. The early part of the course (miles 2-3) runs along the boardwalk allowing for some great ocean views. Then the route takes runners into Henlopen State Park, and from there, the course gets even more “woodsy”. Approximately 5 miles of the course runs on trails through the forest. It is a nice route, and the flags hanging in the woods is a neat feature. Overall, it is a very flat race. On this particular day in December, it was VERY COLD… wind chill temp was 15F at the start!
Finisher medal and shirt were nice; there was a lot of hot food at the finish.
Nice Run in Delaware
The race starts in "downtown" Rehoboth Beach. The early part of the course (miles 2-3) runs along the boardwalk allowing for some great ocean views. Then the route takes runners … MORE
The race starts in “downtown” Rehoboth Beach. The early part of the course (miles 2-3) runs along the boardwalk allowing for some great ocean views. Then the route takes runners into Henlopen State Park, and from there, the course gets even more “woodsy”. Approximately 5 miles of the course runs on trails through the forest. It is a nice route, and the flags hanging in the woods is a neat feature. Overall, it is a very flat race. On this particular day in December, it was VERY COLD… wind chill temp was 15F at the start!
Finisher medal and shirt were nice; there was a lot of hot food at the finish.
I hope you enjoy the cold!
I a not a big fan of the cold; however, this race was so well organized that I tolerated the cold pretty well. I stayed at the Atlantic Sands Hotel. … MORE
I a not a big fan of the cold; however, this race was so well organized that I tolerated the cold pretty well. I stayed at the Atlantic Sands Hotel. Left the hotel at 6:55am, got to the start at 6:56am, and started the race at 7:01am. The location was PERFECT. Sufficient aid stations and nice crowd support. I’m not a lover of trail running but the trail wasn’t bad at all. The expo was great with just the right vendors that I wanted. The after party was fun. Overall, a great race.
Great choice for Delaware.
I enjoyed the variety in this race. From oceanside on a boardwalk, through state parks on trails and neighborhoods on streets. I stayed almost equidistance between the start and finish … MORE
I enjoyed the variety in this race. From oceanside on a boardwalk, through state parks on trails and neighborhoods on streets. I stayed almost equidistance between the start and finish lines so was able to walk everywhere. It was a cool day; the mylar blanket at the finish line was definitely welcomed. Around the 22 mile mark flags from each state represented in the race are strung across the trail. I was disappointed to see them being taken down as I approached. I am a back of the pack racer so would have appreciated any late incentives. The last two aid stations were unattended; one had a single cup on the table though there were Gatorade bottles in cases on the ground. The last aid station had dozens of filled cups available. This was my 27th state, 31st marathon and I would recommend it for those looking for a marathon in Delaware.
Lives Up to the Reviews
This is a lovely, super easy course along the coast and through a state park. Plenty of places to stay or park near the start. I had no problems with … MORE
This is a lovely, super easy course along the coast and through a state park. Plenty of places to stay or park near the start. I had no problems with the race production. Swag is fine. I’m very happy to have logged this one for DE.
Great Race
The course was nicely varied... street, paved trails, dirt trails, boardwalks. The scenery was very nice as well. The out and back was nice to be able to see the … MORE
The course was nicely varied… street, paved trails, dirt trails, boardwalks. The scenery was very nice as well. The out and back was nice to be able to see the leaders.
The after party was good; a food buffet, mostly warm.
Perfect Course for a Personal Best
Rehoboth is a cute beach town Delaware, so if you have time race weekend be sure to check out the town!! Packet pickup was easy, but crowded. Parking is free … MORE
Rehoboth is a cute beach town Delaware, so if you have time race weekend be sure to check out the town!!
Packet pickup was easy, but crowded. Parking is free because it is the beach off season, but I still had to park a little over a five minute walk away. Since this race is in December that short walk was cold! Be sure to have your bib number available as you will need this to pick up your bib – this was said in an email multiple times and there were signs with QR codes posted, but I saw many people unprepared at pickup.
The shirt was a long sleeved Brooks shirt – it was okay. It wasn’t my favorite but definitely wasn’t the worst shirt I’ve ever gotten.
The race starts right by the Rehoboth boardwalk. Parking was easy (I got there an hour before the start) and there were plenty of spaces. The start line had plenty of bathrooms available.
The start line was crowded as the half marathon and full marathon start together and there was a bottleneck situation at the start – this didn’t affect me. I started near the 2:00 half marathon pacers and had to do minimal weaving in the beginning of the race. This race had pacers for the full and half marathon which was awesome!
The race starts at 7:00 AM so you get great sunrise views over the ocean. Many people came out to cheer especially on the boardwalk section of the course. The course is flat compromised of road, boardwalk, and packed gravel running. Because it is flat and there are not a lot of turns this is a great course for a personal best – BUT it can get boring.
I wish there were more water stops on the course and would bring a handheld bottle if I ran this race again – which I probably will run again since this is semi-local for me!
The afterparty is AMAZING! This is a top afterparty for sure with a DJ and tons of food. After running in the cold (real feel of 15 degrees at the start) I was glad to go into the warm tent for the afterparty.
Overall, I recommend this race if you are looking for a fast and flat course, stunning ocean views, great race production, and an after party like no other! 🙂
Great race for a weekend destination run
It was very cold at 27F with beach wind at 7 am this year. The route was flat with some trail. It enjoyed the sceneries and the race was well … MORE
It was very cold at 27F with beach wind at 7 am this year. The route was flat with some trail. It enjoyed the sceneries and the race was well marked. The breakfast had 3 cups of beer, sausage, banana, waffle, bacon, egg, etc.
Everyone started at the same time both for full and half. Even the route was combined at the beginning and the end. It was my first time and some might not like it.
Overall, it was a nice small town to visit for a destination run for the weekend and enjoy seafood.
Great beach town race
Nice marathon in a quaint little beach town. The first 5 miles of the marathon were super cute through the town and along the boardwalk with great crowd support, and … MORE
Nice marathon in a quaint little beach town. The first 5 miles of the marathon were super cute through the town and along the boardwalk with great crowd support, and then, marathoners took a right into state park trails for an out and back on trails from mile 5 to mile 17. We came back out to the city for a bit and I thought we were going to see more of the town but then straight back into trails from 20-25. Flat course, epic after party, HUGE medal, ok shirt. I was disappointed by the amount of race that was on trails, but if you love out and backs on trails, perfect race for you. Also, odd to me announcer at the start. Everyone just started rolling out at 7am. *EDIT* I originally stated that the national anthem wasn’t played at start, and a couple responses have corrected me to say that is was played either 10-15 minutes prior to start, which is still weird to me. 99% of every other race I’ve ever run, the national anthem is played, the announcer says go and we go.
Scenic course and relatively flat
This race was a bit chilly, as expected, but not extremely cold. Although this would obviously vary year to year. There were restrooms and port a potties at the beginning … MORE
This race was a bit chilly, as expected, but not extremely cold. Although this would obviously vary year to year. There were restrooms and port a potties at the beginning of the race. I stood in line for maybe 10 minutes at the restrooms. There didn’t seem to be a wait at the port a potties. I picked up my packet day of race and didn’t have any issues, although for people that arrived later about 40 minutes prior to race start, there seemed to be a backup. Staff and race participants were nice. The only (minor) complaint I have is the half marathoners starting with the marathoners. The course was a bit tight with them but at about 4 miles they went another way. To solve this issue, I don’t recommend having the Half marathoners starting 1 or more hours behind the marathoners because the marathoners converge with the half marathons at about mile 22 until the end. The course is also tight during these last miles and everyone is tired, so weaving around runners wouldn’t be fun for either race participants. I would limit the half marathon participants instead.
Beautiful Little Town
Definitely a race worth doing. Awesome little town. Great race production. Course is amazing and you should run this race. The weather ended up being just fine. MORE
Definitely a race worth doing. Awesome little town. Great race production. Course is amazing and you should run this race. The weather ended up being just fine.
Fun and cold run.
The town is awesome. Great scenery and race management. Trails were more rocky than expected in some parts. Would do it again. The weather was chilly, but I believe it’s … MORE
The town is awesome. Great scenery and race management. Trails were more rocky than expected in some parts. Would do it again. The weather was chilly, but I believe it’s typically warmer than it was today. Very windy.
Well organized and fun!
I really enjoyed this area, having never been to Delaware. The course was well marked and very flat. I enjoyed the boardwalks we ran on as well as the beach … MORE
I really enjoyed this area, having never been to Delaware. The course was well marked and very flat. I enjoyed the boardwalks we ran on as well as the beach views and cedar paths. The out and back with flags from every state and country participating was really cool! And of course, the Party at the end was crazy fun!
Flat, well-run, great post-race party
Rehoboth is proud of its after party, and rightfully so. Large buffet of hot food and 3 drink tickets per person! 2023 race had amazing weather, but it was unseasonably … MORE
Rehoboth is proud of its after party, and rightfully so. Large buffet of hot food and 3 drink tickets per person! 2023 race had amazing weather, but it was unseasonably warm. 2022 was very cold, so just keep in mind when planning that the weather could go either way, it is December in Delaware, after all. Largest marathon in Delaware, I was happy that I could do it!
Worth for the party
Small and quick easy packet pickup. The 2023 shirt ran super small on the women's side. Even the when I exchanged for the large it felt small to me. It … MORE
Small and quick easy packet pickup. The 2023 shirt ran super small on the women’s side. Even the when I exchanged for the large it felt small to me. It is also neon yellow. So I won’t be using it for anything other than running. Over the race is very well done. It can be boring in spots along the trail. However anytime I saw people they were so friendly and encouraging. The last stretch along the non paved road was fairly muddy but not horrible. I wish I had felt better on the back half to have a better finish time. The after was so so fun. I loved every minute of it. Even my friends who finished in 5+ hours had a great time. I am glad I did this race towards my 50 states goal.
Worth the after Party & Food
Unpaved portion was longer than I remembered from the marathon a couple years ago; my injured ankle couldn’t handle the uneven and rocky terrain. I had three friends complete the … MORE
Unpaved portion was longer than I remembered from the marathon a couple years ago; my injured ankle couldn’t handle the uneven and rocky terrain. I had three friends complete the marathon to add to their states!
Great time celebrating downtown with good food and spirits
Good run for 50 staters
Pretty well produced race. I enjoyed the course, running through Rehoboth Beach and then getting into the parks and nature preserves. A significant portion of the run for marathon runners … MORE
Pretty well produced race. I enjoyed the course, running through Rehoboth Beach and then getting into the parks and nature preserves. A significant portion of the run for marathon runners is on packed gravel, which is stated in the course descriptions. The volunteers were great, and the aid stations were all well stocked. The only critical thing I have to say of the event is how the start line was organized. The restrooms were right next to the starting area, and those lines were crossing over into the race start area. Some roping off of the area would have helped organize the space.
small state, big race
this was my 29th marathon in 19th state...I flew into DC and drove to Rehoboth....packet pickup was in a large tent near the running company...very easy and quick, no expo. … MORE
this was my 29th marathon in 19th state…I flew into DC and drove to Rehoboth….packet pickup was in a large tent near the running company…very easy and quick, no expo. very flat course that started a finished close to the beach near the boardwalk…the course was on paved trails, residential area, and a few miles on the boardwalk with a beach view. plenty of toilets and enough aid stations….the only real big negative was the bag drop was confusing a disorganized. Medal and shirt were nice (no real other swag). The after party was awesome, lots of music, food, and drinks it was a party atmosphere… Rehoboth was a cute fun town that my family had a fun time exploring (beach, boardwalks, and shops downtown)
A must do for Delaware - Great race!
This race has it all. * easy to get to - flew into Salisbury, Maryland - 1 hour drive to Rehoboth * reasonable hotels within walking distance - stayed at … MORE
This race has it all.
* easy to get to – flew into Salisbury, Maryland – 1 hour drive to Rehoboth
* reasonable hotels within walking distance – stayed at the Atlantic Sands
* great choices of many restaurants
* lots to see in a cute little seaside town
* expo – lots of local race swag to buy and great race long sleeve T shirt, hat and bag.
* good medal
* reasonable race start time of 7:00
* course ok – the only bad part was half of the course was a loop around a trail and also very confusing at the end
* plenty of water stations
* lots of slow runners and walkers – I didn’t feel unathletic for once!
* free pictures
* after party sucked – single file line was ridiculously long – didn’t get to take advantage of
* overall a great choice for Delaware – so glad I did it!
Picture Postcard Marathon
The City of Rehoboth Beach is like something you would see on a postcard. A beautiful beachfront area loaded with small shops and restaurants, and plenty of parklands which are … MORE
The City of Rehoboth Beach is like something you would see on a postcard. A beautiful beachfront area loaded with small shops and restaurants, and plenty of parklands which are used for the marathon. The running surfaces included paved roads, wooden boardwalk, gravel trail, and a aluminum diamond plate type surface thru one section of the parkland. All very safe and very scenic. At one point the marathon passes thru an old military base, with restored barracks and i am sure a lot of history. The weather was cooler (in the 50’s) but with torrential rain the night before, the humidity level was very high. Plenty of water and electrolyte stations, i saw volunteers handing out Gu gels, i bring my own. Plenty of volunteers to point out the correct turns along the course, lots of medical staff if needed. The finish had a very nice buffet, and plenty of Dogfish Head beer under a large tent. Music was great, and definitely one of the better after parties i have been to.
Worth doing
Well organized and great communication throughout. The course was a little boardwalk, a little trail, and some neighborhoods. Excellent post race food, even for slow people like me, and cute … MORE
Well organized and great communication throughout. The course was a little boardwalk, a little trail, and some neighborhoods. Excellent post race food, even for slow people like me, and cute shirt and nice medal (although the shirts ran two sizes small!).
We got really lucky with the weather this year. It rained the day before the event and the day after, but race day, while humid, was rain free. I truly enjoyed the tunnel of flags along the course!
Pretty route, good production, and course support.