Fastest marathons in North Carolina
- 14:07:52median finish
- 24:25:21median finish
- 3Long Life Meal Prep Cannonball Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5KGreensboro382 finishers over 3 yearsLast run Oct 17, 2026 49°F race morning4:28:46median finish
- 44:30:34median finish
- 54:33:17median finish
Fastest marathons by state
Common questions
What is the fastest marathon in North Carolina?
By the results we track, Novant Health Wilmington NC Marathon in Wilmington: its median finisher runs 4:07:52, 9:27 per mile, over its last 3 years. Next is Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K at 4:25:21.
How are the races ranked?
By the median finish time of each race's last three years of results: the time half its finishers beat. A race needs at least 200 finishers to be ranked. It reflects the course, the usual weather and who enters: races that draw serious runners rank high.
Which marathon is best for a personal record?
Look for a flat course, a cool race morning and a field near your pace, so you have people to run with. The races here are where finishers run fastest; check each one's course and weather, shown in its listing.
Chasing a Boston qualifier? See the marathons where the most runners qualify →