Carolina Beach State Park Trail Half Marathon
Carolina Beach, United States • 3 Jan 2026
Event details
The Carolina Beach State Park Trail Half Marathon & 5K is a trail race in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2026. The event uses American Legion Post #129 at 1500 Bridge Barrier Road as the start and finish location. Registration opened August 6 and online registration remains available up to race start. In-person registration is digital at packet pickup and on race day via a QR code. Participant caps are 300 for the Half Marathon and 300 for the 5K.
Course and race information
The event offers the following distances:
- Half Marathon - 13.1 miles, two loops
- 5K - 3.1 miles
The Half Marathon has a course cutoff of 3.5 hours (16 minute per mile pace). Trails include single-track routes through shoreline and pine forest and pass through a maintained campground. Finish-line provisions include a finisher medal for all Half Marathon and 5K finishers, snacks, and Culligan water. Participants 21 and older are eligible for one beer on the American Legion patio. Parking is available at a nearby Food Lion; organizers advise not to park behind the store or near loading docks to allow delivery truck access. Awards are given to top overall finishers and age-group places for both events. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.