Tom Clifford's Staging Area

The Wilmington Marathon started its journey in 2010. As the race director, I may be biased, but over the years, we’ve actively listened to athletes’ feedback, continuously making adjustments based on their input. We’ve invested in enhancing the race experience by improving swag offerings and ramping up the excitement along the course. Our ultimate aim? To create an unforgettable experience for every runner.

What sets our marathon apart is our unique point-to-point course, which begins at the ocean and culminates in downtown Wilmington. While there are stretches of the course that may seem plain or less scenic, I’ve personally participated in many marathons featuring monotonous segments. In Wilmington, however, the scenery changes frequently, keeping runners engaged and motivated.

We start at the beach, traverse city streets, cover a stretch on the highway, delve into North Wilmington Downtown, follow a historic railroad line, pass through the heart of downtown, and wind around Greenfield Lake, where iconic southern moss trees line the greenway. All this before reaching the finish line at Riverfront Park on the Cape Fear River.

Our entire staff and team are locals, deeply proud of both our race and our region. So, I urge you to give Wilmington a chance—you won’t be disappointed!