The Ellerbe Marathon and Half Marathon

The Ellerbe Marathon and Half Marathon

The Ellerbe Marathon and Half Marathon is a road running event held in Ellerbe, North Carolina, presented by the local rescue squad. The event traces to 1992 and is currently the oldest continuously held marathon in North Carolina. In 2026 the race marks its 35th marathon and 10th half marathon.

The course is a USATF-certified 13.1 mile loop on paved secondary roads that remain open to traffic; marathon entrants run the loop twice. Timing is managed with RFID chip timing and live results. Aid stations are placed about 2 to 2.5 miles apart; half marathoners pass aid stations five times and marathoners pass them eleven times. Typical aid station supplies include water, an electrolyte drink, bananas, and light salty or sweet snacks.

Race headquarters and the finish area are at the Ellerbe Rescue Squad building at 106 Sunset Avenue; the start is a short walk away on Page Street. Packet pick-up is available Friday evening and on race day at the rescue squad building. All finishers receive a commemorative medallion and a pottery wine cup; overall awards and special Richmond County awards are handmade pottery and presented at the finish. There are no mailed awards or age group awards. Special permanent bibs recognize participants with ten or more Ellerbe finishes.

Registration opens October 1, 2025. Fee tiers for 2026 are $60, $75, and $85; $10 from each entry is donated to the Ellerbe Rescue Squad. Entries follow specified registration rules with no refunds, transfers, or deferrals. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.