We’ve sent 3 pre-race emails but incase you missed any important information, please read this carefully. We’re excited to host you in Wilmington North Carolina this Saturday (12/3) for the 6th Annual Historic Half Marathon & 5K!
PRE-RACE EXPO & BIB PICKUP:
Bart Yasso – Known as the Mayor of the Running World since he joined Runners World Magazine in 1987 is coming to the Wilmington Historic Race Weekend! He is an accomplished author and also invented the Yasso 800’s, a marathon training schedule used by thousands around the world. Bart is one of the few that have run races on all seven continents but it is not the race details he remembers… It is the people and he is excited to meet you too! He will be celebrating with you as you cross the finish line at the race and sharing stories as he is speaking at 4:00pm & 6:00pm on Friday at the expo! Be sure to plan some time to sit down and be inspired by his beloved running stories.
Expo/Packet Pickup
When: Friday December 2nd From 2pm – 7pm
Where: 1380 N. College Rd. Wilmington, NC 28405 (Click Here For Directions)
*This is in a gymnasium behind Elderhaus.
*Yes, friends and family may pick up your bib for you.
*Race morning packet pickup is at the River Front park near the start lines: 10 Cowan St. Wilmington, NC 28401
*You do not need to know your bib number ahead of time, it will be assigned when you check in.
KNOW YOUR 5K COURSE:
HERE is a printable PDF of your route and HERE is a MapMyRun to view online. We also set up “RaceJoy” for free for all runners so if you run with your phone, it will give you audio cues and your family/friends can track exactly where you are on the course and send you customized audio cheers! Download the app for free and get set up prior to race day!
Your start is back on Cowan St. You’ll head down Nutt St. Ext and actually into the park and come out of the park onto Nutt St. which turns into Water St. in a coned lane. You’ll take a left up Market St. around the fountain at 5th St. and back to 2nd St. Right on 2nd St., Left on Red Cross, and Right on Front St. You have a water stop around mile 2 before taking a left on Cowan St. and a Right on Nutt St. You’ll hop on the Riverwalk taking a left back toward the finish line in the park. You will be in a completely closed, coned lane the entire time downtown until you get on the Riverwalk and head back to the park.
KNOW YOUR HALF MARATHON COURSE:
HERE is a printable PDF of your route and HERE is a MapMyRun to view online. We also set up “RaceJoy” for free for all runners so if you run with your phone, it will give you audio cues and your family/friends can track exactly where you are on the course and send you customized audio cheers! Download the app for free and get set up prior to race day! With hundreds of signs, over 100 volunteers and PD along the course, pacers and bike leads, you’re going to love this race!!
But for the runner who enjoys the details:
We will have a meetup in the park at 7:30 and walk to the start together which is on Nutt St. The course heads down Nutt St (which curves into Water St.) all the way to Market St. You’ll go up Market St. in a coned lane all the way around the fountain at 5th St. and back down to 2nd St. Take a right on 2nd St. in the Southbound lane all the way Red Cross St., Left on Red Cross and Right into the southbound lane of Front St. You’ll take this up to 3rd St. Take a left here and you’ll go up and over the 3 bridges getting that over within the first 5ish miles. You’ll bring the entrance ramp down off of Cape Fear Memorial Bridge onto S. Front St. and head out to Greenfield Lake staying to your far left of all the cones. Left on Greenfield St. (keep to your left), Right onto 5th St. which takes you up onto the Greenway around Greenfield Lake for miles 7-10. You’ll hop off the greenway onto 3rd in a coned lane and left onto Greenfield St. (staying to your left). Right onto Front St. up to Nun St. Left on Nun, Right onto Riverwalk. You’ll hop off the Riverwalk for just a couple of blocks before Market St and back onto the Riverwalk at Chestnut St. with your 6th and final water stop and take the Riverwalk all the way to the finish in the park.
RACE DAY
Parking: There are over 10,000 parking spots downtown. Meters along the course will have a “No Parking” sign ..don’t park there. Use the parking decks and CLICK HERE for a full parking diagram downtown. We recommend arriving to park no less than 60 minutes before your race. Keep in mind if showing up for the Half Marathon, there is a lot of congestion downtown from the 5K starting at 7am. We recommend everyone trying to be parked downtown by 6:00am.
Start/Finish Line: Located at 10 Cowan St. Wilmington, NC 28401 CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS
Bag Drop: Yes, this will be located in the Park!
Race Starts & Times: There is a different start line for the 5K and Half Marathon. We will host a Meet-Up area for each distance inside the park on the center lawn and then walk to the start line together (please see diagram below).
5K:
Meet-Up 6:45
Starts 7:00am
Half Marathon:
Meet Up 7:30
Starts 7:45am
Challenge Note: You will get all of your medals after you finish the Half Marathon at the Packet Pick-Up Tents. Please Note – there are NO late starts for the Half Marathon you must be finished with the 5K and start the Half Marathon right at 7:45.
After Party: We have Beer & Carolina BBQ! We provide one drink ticket & a food ticket on your bib. All beer must stay within the Beer Garden!
*Pro Tip – No ID = No Beer!! Bring your ID for 1 free beer, extra beer for sale (cash only).
Awards:
8am – 5K Awards
10:15am – Half Marathon Awards
*Awards will not be handed out early.
MORE FAQS
Can I pickup a packet somewhere else? No, if you didn’t receive your bib in the mail, you’ll need to pick it up on Friday at the expo.
Can a friend pickup my packet? Yes.
I have a friend that signed up but can’t make it – can I get their medal? This is an actual question we get asked weekly. The answer is no, these are for finishers.
Can I swap t-shirt sizes? Yes, it will be based on availability. We may not have this available until after the start.
Strollers Allowed? Strollers are allowed on all courses. Please be careful and watch your surroundings!
Dogs Allowed? Sorry to say but due to USATF sanctioning, no dogs are allowed at the event unless ADA compliant and paperwork filed click here
Age Restrictions? No age restrictions and parental consent for all runners under 18 for any races are required.
What’s the plan for inclement weather? This is a rain-or-shine event.
Virtual Races: If you’re a virtual runner, all items will be shipped to you the week following the race.
See our General FAQ’s Page and our Wilmington Historic Half & 5K Race Website for more information.
If you’ve read this entire email and have an additional question – please don’t hesitate to email us here and we’ll do our best to respond promptly.