The Ellerbe Marathon and Half Marathon

The Ellerbe Marathon and Half Marathon

The Ellerbe Marathon first ran in 1992, making it the oldest continuously held marathon in North Carolina. The event has evolved from its "Old School" beginnings with minimal amenities to offering shirts before the race, pottery wine cups for finishers, custom medals, snacks at aid stations, and a post-race meal. The organizers prioritize pleasing the runners, maintaining an "Old School" feel with a good crowd and fun atmosphere.

The Ellerbe Marathon and Ellerbe Half Marathon courses are USATF certified. The start and finish are located near the Ellerbe Rescue Squad headquarters in downtown Ellerbe. Both courses involve a loop in the countryside before returning to Ellerbe. The half marathon finishes at 13.1 miles, while marathoners complete the loop twice for the 26.2-mile distance. All roads are paved state secondary roads and are open to traffic.

Registration and Fees

Registration closes: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

2026 Event Fees:

• Old School Deal (Oct 1 - Oct 10): $60.00 (Marathon & Half Marathon)
• Early Bird (Oct 11 - Dec 31): $75.00 (Marathon & Half Marathon)
• Standard (Jan 1 - Registration Closing): $85.00 (Marathon & Half Marathon)

Note: All registrations will have an Ultrasignup registration fee added at checkout.

Contact Information

Contact: Doug Dawkins

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 910-206-2095 (text or call)