Nearly 5,500 athletes expected for the 16th annual Novant Health Wilmington Marathon

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Nearly 5,500 athletes will be welcomed to the Cape Fear for the 16th annual Novant Health Wilmington Marathon.

The event takes place on Saturday, February 28 and is said to the largest participatory sporting event in the City of Wilmington.

Athletes from 49 U.S. states and Puerto Rico will take part. 25 cities across North Carolina will be represented in the marathon. Participants will also travel from seven other countries including Tanzania, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Germany, France and Portugal.

“The Novant Health Wilmington Marathon has become one of the premier races on the East Coast. We sold out in early January and now have more than 1,000 runners on the waitlist. The continued growth of this event is a direct result of an incredible team, committed sponsors, and the unmatched hospitality of the Wilmington community,” states Tom Clifford, event organizer and founder of Without Limits, “Each year, the marathon generates millions of dollars in economic impact during a key shoulder season for the region. We are grateful to Novant Health and all our partners for their support. To date, the race has given nearly $600,000 back to organizations across New Hanover County, and we look forward to another strong year of giving in 2026.”

Athletes will be joined by family members, spectators and event volunteers which will more than double the number of attendees for the weekend.

“Races and sporting events play a vital role in supporting tourism in Wilmington and our island beaches,” said Kim Hufham, President/CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority. “Hosting these events gives us a valuable opportunity to introduce our destination to families visiting from key feeder markets. We hope participants and their loved ones enjoy their time here and choose to return for future competitions and family getaways.”