PRESS RELEASE
February 17th, 2022
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NOVANT HEALTH WILMINGTON NC MARATHON
Novant Health Wilmington Marathon is coming February 26th with 3500 runners
Wilmington, NC – Southeastern North Carolina’s largest running event, The 12th Annual Novant Health WILMINGTON NC MARATHON presented by Wicked Weed Brewing, highlights the city of Wilmington, North Carolina. The event is hosting a runners’ expo at the Wilmington Convention Center February 24th and 25th. On February 26th, The 26.2 and 13.1 mile races start at Johnny Mercer Pier in Wrightsville Beach. The race then runs across the Port City and finishes at the new Live Oak Bank Pavilion in downtown Wilmington. There is a 5K downtown and a FREE kids 1 mile run to promote health and fitness for our entire community.
The majority of the race course will take place on Wilmington roads. The course is a world class, point-to-point route that will take runners from the pristine coast of Wrightsville Beach, to Greenfield Lake and finally the historic Cape Fear Riverfront for the finish-line and post race celebration.
“This is a great course for runners, very flat with only a few turns and highlighting our beaches to our riverfront. This will be a true ‘destination-to-destination race’ that runners from all over the country will appreciate, “said Race Director Tom Clifford. “The City of Wilmington and our partners like Novant Health have been incredibly supportive to help this vision and dream come to life.
“Novant Health is proud to be the 2022 title sponsor of this event and support health and exercise in our local community,” said Shelbourn Stevens, president of Novant Health’s Coastal region. “We congratulate all the runners for all their hard work preparing for this challenge and celebrate their dedication to their fitness and wellness.”
The race, which averages over 3,500 participants annually, brings in over 4 million in economic impact and has donated nearly $600,000 since its inception. Several organizations in the area have benefited from the race such as the Landfall Foundation, Health Possible, The Good Shepherd, Hoggard High School, Ashley High School, Noble Middle School, Laney High School Athletics, Local Churches, Topsail High School Track Team, UNCW and UNCW Athletics, Cherub’s Foundation, Cape Fear Volunteer Center, Cape Fear Flyers, WIlmington Road Runners, Echo Haite Group, and many more smaller volunteer groups.
Clifford said “Big races like this gain attention for many reasons. That attention ripples through the community, whether you volunteer, get alerted about the traffic, or you are running. Indirectly, it makes people aware that running events are a big deal and so is staying healthy. Why would you run? To set a goal, accomplish something, and be part of a great community.
On that note there will be traffic impacts and detours on Saturday February 26th that the residents of Wilmington need to be aware of from the beach to downtown. The race is a moving target on where the impacts will be and what time. The website link below will go over the traffic impacts and race timelines.
For more information please visit: https://www.wilmingtonncmarathon.com/traffic-hot-spots/
Proactive Lifestyle Events
Proactive Lifestyle Events is a 501C3 Non Profit Organization that puts on athletic events, particularly marathon races and endurance events to serve the local community of Wilmington, North Carolina and surrounding areas. We strive to create a world class experience, promote health and fitness for all ages, and give back to our community.
Without Limits
Without Limits directs the Novant Health Wilmington Marathon, The Parkway Subaru Battleship NC Half Marathon, and the Southern Tour Ultra. They also operate a Coaching Division that has helped athletes to achieve US Olympic Trial honors while also supporting hundreds of adult and youth athletes reach their goals through coaching and training programs.
More info: http://www.iamwithoutlimits.com
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Media Contact: Tom Clifford 910-297-4973 – tom@iamwithoutlimits.com
One of our charities: Sara Auld – Health Possible – 607-765-5915
Novant Health – Lindsay Fronk: 215-932-0278