Emerald Isle Marathon
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About the race
The Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K is an annual road-racing event held on the Crystal Coast. The 2026 race is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026, and is presented as a USATF certified and sanctioned course that serves as a Boston qualifying option for marathon runners. The event is described as running on a flat course and specifies that the route does not run on sand.
Distances offered:
- Marathon
- Half Marathon
- 5K
Course support includes strategically placed aid stations supplying water, electrolyte drinks, and other essentials. Time limits are established for the longer events: the full marathon allows six hours and the half marathon allows four and a half hours to complete the course. Course support will stop at a specified cutoff time on race day.
Finisher medals are awarded to participants who complete the full marathon and the half marathon. Awards are presented to top finishers in various categories for each race. Walking is permitted in the half marathon and the 5K, and the 5K is noted as appropriate for family participation.
Packet pickup is scheduled the day before the race at the Emerald Isle Community Center. The race starting line is listed at Western Regional Access, 9003 Louise Avenue, Emerald Isle, North Carolina. All event proceeds are designated for the local Bike and Pedestrian Path and the Carteret Healthcare Foundation. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
