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Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K race photo

Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K race photo
Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K race photo
Emerald Isle
US
DiscoA340 · CC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)Fromnc · CC BY 3.0
Race date in 10 days
Oct 24, 2026 Sat
City · Distance
Emerald Isle · 42.195km · 21.1km · 5km
Entry fee
$100Varies by event and entry period
Status
OpenTBD ~ Fri, October 23, 2026See how to enter ↗
Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 14, 2026
Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K race photo
DiscoA340 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K race photo
Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K race photo
Fromnc · CC BY 3.0
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

This is the 12th running of a race along North Carolina's Crystal Coast beaches.

It is a charity-focused event.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K runner reviews and race reports

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 1
Emily HolubRan in 2016 · Finish time 3:31:28
“I crossed the finish line just as the clock read 3:31:32.”

Emily battled foot cramps and a strong headwind at the Emerald Isle Marathon. Family support helped her finish in a chip time of 3 hours 31 minutes 28 seconds and qualify for Boston.

Read the original on Logging Miles and Smiles

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Emerald Isle Marathon 2023

Town of Emerald Isle, NC

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

General entry · Marathon

Entry cost $100

The full marathon is full; only the waitlist is open.

Organizer's page

General entry · Half

Entry cost $80

The half marathon is full; only the waitlist is open.

Organizer's page
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K course map and elevation

Your 42.195km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 07:00
EventStartTime limit
Marathon42.195km07:006h
Half21.0975km08:354h30m
5K5km08:45—
START

Western Regional Access, 9003 Louise Ave, Emerald Isle, NC 28594

Start · Google Maps
Show more

Events include the Emerald Isle Marathon, Emerald Isle Half Marathon, and Emerald Isle 5K.

The race starts at 7:00 a.m. local time from 101 Islander Dr., Emerald Isle, NC.

Course is an out-and-back course following the same route in reverse.

Typical race-season temperature: around 21°C (70°F)
Short sleeves — hydrate for the warmth

Participant benefits

Aid stations

Finisher medal

Where and when to collect your Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2025 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

Emerald Isle Community Center (203 Leisure Lane, Emerald Isle, NC), 2026-10-23 (Fri) 15:00-21:00

Stations & transport near the venue

  • Getting to the startStart/finish is at Western Ocean Regional Access, Emerald Isle, NC — right by the Islander Hotel just off…

Source · checked Aug 22, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

Start/finish is at Western Ocean Regional Access, Emerald Isle, NC — right by the Islander Hotel just off the main road onto Emerald Isle. Race date confirmed October 24, 2026, out-and-back course.

Emerald Isle is a small barrier-island beach town on the NC coast with no meaningful public transit; a private car (rental from New Bern or Wilmington) is effectively the only practical way in.

Getting to the finish

Same location as start (out-and-back course finishes where it began).

Source · checked Aug 22, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

Late-October temperatures in the Emerald Isle area range from 12 to 21°C.

There is a slight chance of rain, but conditions are generally favorable for a marathon.

Packet pickup takes place on October 23, 2026 (Friday), from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Emerald Isle Community Center.

Course is USATF-certified and designated as a Boston Qualifier.

Times are local to Emerald Isle. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Emerald Isle Vacation Rental w/ Resort Pool!

Accommodation · 3.1km

10.0/10(7)
View on Booking.com

'East of the Sun' Beachside Apartment w/ Deck!

Accommodation · 2.8km

4.0/10(3)
View on Booking.com

Hotels near the Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K start line in

Hotels that make race morning easy

View all →

Distances are straight-line from the start.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Emerald Isle Vacation Rental w/ Resort Pool!

Accommodation · 3.1km

10.0/10(7)
View on Booking.com

'East of the Sun' Beachside Apartment w/ Deck!

Accommodation · 2.8km

4.0/10(3)
View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

Trip.comClosest to the start lineView on Trip.com

What to see in Emerald Isle after the race

Seeing Emerald Isle with the medal on

View all →

The city you ran — this time, a little slower.

Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on map

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Experiences, food and sights are travel products in Emerald Isle.

Total cost and budget for Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · Trip.comFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Emerald Isle runners' room

Frequently asked questions about Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K

FAQ
When does Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K 2026 take place?

It takes place on Sat, October 24, 2026 in Emerald Isle, NC, United States.

How much is the Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K 2026 entry fee?

The main event costs $100.

What distances does Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K 2026 offer?

Marathon · Half · 5K.

What time does Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K 2026 start?

The race starts at 07:00.

Where does Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K 2026 start?

Western Regional Access, 9003 Louise Ave, Emerald Isle, NC 28594.

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