Sledgehammer Beach Run
Sneads Ferry, United States • 11 Apr 2026
Run on the Sand at North Topsail Beach
The Sledgehammer Beach Run is a sports event held in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina. The race takes place entirely on the sand, offering participants a course that follows the coastline with views of the ocean. The event is organized by the Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Commission and serves as a memorial to Dr. E.B. Sledge, a World War II veteran. A portion of the proceeds from the registration fees is donated to Semper Fi & America’s Fund to assist injured service members and their families.
Participants can choose from several distances:
- Half Marathon
- 10k
- 5k
- Virtual Half Marathon
- Virtual 10k
- Virtual 5k
The Half Marathon has a strict four-hour cut-off time. For safety and logistics, any runner still on the course after four hours is picked up by staff and becomes ineligible for awards. This is a rain or shine event, and the courses for the 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon are all located on the beach. Event t-shirts are not included in the standard registration fee but are available for purchase separately through the race store. Participants in the virtual categories have the option to have their purchased items shipped. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.