We are excited to host 7,000+ participants in the 2026 Run Oak Island Ultra, Full Marathon, (2) Half Marathons, 10K, 5K and 1 Mile races on Saturday February 14th & Sunday February 15th! Below are the course maps with downloadable PDF’s and certifications for you to review! All participants have received these by email but if you missed an email or know someone who should take a closer look at the courses – please share this page! Click Here to Register!
ULTRA MARATHON (26.25 Miles) & FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles)
SUNDAY 2/15: 7:45am Start Time – The Ultra & Full Marathons start together along with the East Half Marathoners. You’ll see the sunrise over the marsh in the first few miles. The country club and arboretum bring beautiful scenery and some shade if its a warmer sunny day as well as some 1,000 yr old live oak trees. Snag a selfie with the lighthouse before turning around with ocean views on and off for the next 11 miles. Tackle the intracoastal bridge around mile 23 and enjoy a flat race to the finish line.
*One of the flattest & most scenic full marathons on the East Coast.
*World’s Shortest Ultra Marathon!
DOWNLOAD PDF OF THE FULL MARATHON COURSE
-FULL MARATHON CERTIFICATION: NC19001BDS-
*An Ultra Marathon is anything longer than a Full Marathon. The Ultra race is not considered a “Certified” distance, however, you run the Full Marathon and an extra .05 miles making it the worlds shortest ultra (that we know of).
EAST HALF MARATHON (13.1 MILES)
SUNDAY 2/15: 7:45am Start Time You basically run with the Full Marathon participants out to the lighthouse. You skip the arboretum and have a different turnaround (AFTER THE FULL MARATHON’S TURNAROUND) and you’ll break away to the finish line taking a right on 46th St. as the full marathon continues straight to the West end of the island. This is the FLATTEST Half Marathon you will find!
DOWNLOAD PDF OF THE “EAST” HALF MARATHON COURSE
-HALF MARATHON CERTIFICATION NC19031BDS-
WEST HALF MARATHON (13.1 MILES)
SUNDAY 2/15: 8:00 am Start Time – Starting 15 minutes after the Ultra Marathon, Full Marathon & East Half Marathon. Participants enjoy a scenic 5 miles along the ocean (running on the road) before tackling a 65’ elevation over the intracoastal waterway bridge (twice) around mile 9. It’s a little more challenging than the East but also provides a whopping 6.5 HOUR time limit so it’s very walker friendly and not intimidating at all. We do not offer pacers or age group awards for the West Half – those are all provided on the competitive East Half Marathon.
DOWNLOAD PDF OF THE “WEST” HALF MARATHON COURSE
– HALF MARATHON CERTIFICATION NC16006BW –
10K (6.2 MILES)
SATURDAY 2/14: 7:00am Start Time – You’ll run with beach views (on Beach Dr.) until you reach 3rd Pl. You take a right, quick left, turnaround and head straight back to the finish line. It’s a very easy, flat and fast route with minimal turns and a scenic oceanfront view (while running on the road) for half of the race. You’ll finish under the same arch you started under.
DOWNLOAD PDF OF THE 10K COURSE
-10K CERTIFICATION NC24003DF-
5K (3.1 MILES) & 1M
SATURDAY 2/14 (5K at 8:30am; 1M at 9:30am): Running at ZERO elevation, this flat and fast 5K has minimal turns for you to reach your new PR! You’ll have over 1 mile ocean front (running on the road).
*The 1 Mile is not timed or certified. It is a fun run/walk.
DOWNLOAD PDF OF THE 5K & 1M COURSES
–5K CERTIFICATION – NC26003BDS–