Wrightsville Beach, N.C. – Sunday, March 17, 2013
The Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Marathon presented by Landfall Realty allows runners of all levels to enjoy marathon madness – a theme celebrating college basketball’s postseason. In 2013 the Quintiles Marathon and Half Marathon take place on St. Patty’s Day so we are planning a festive post-race celebration at the finish, including live entertainment and brews from Natty Green’s, Miller64 and other local and national breweries. It all takes place at the RBC Wealth Management entertainment stage at the finish!
With beautiful beaches, world-class shopping, famous restaurants and a historic downtown waterfront, why participate in just another race weekend when you can enjoy a complete vacation experience and earn your personal record too?
A new marathon course provides runners two loops on Wrightsville Beach and more scenic water views. We expect this to be the fastest course in our event’s history. This fast, flat Boston-qualifier course ends at Mayfaire Town Center, providing ample parking and great shops and restaurants for spectators and participants. Competitors and their supporters can take full advantage of all the fun offered by this world-famous beach destination.
We have also added a new 5k in 2013 on Saturday and a one-mile fun run benefiting the Cherubs Organization. Both events are great for kids (and kids at heart) and take place on Saturday, March 16.
You can register for all events at www.wrightsvillebeachmarathon.com.
We are also excited to announce Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray will be the 2013 Pasta Dinner speaker. Dave manages and oversees all operational and logistical aspects of the most famous marathon in the world.
Both races are set to kick off at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2013. The events will be the largest participatory races in the Wilmington/Cape Fear area, and are expected to draw 3,000 competitors from dozens of states, and a spectator crowd of roughly 15,000.
Proceeds from the event benefit two great organizations: The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and The Landfall Foundation.
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Expo/Packet Pick-up
Quintiles Marathon TrySports Expo and Packet Pick-up will be at the finish-line area in Mayfaire Town Center adjacent to the movie theaters inside the large expo tent. The expo will take place on Friday, March 15, from 4-8 p.m., and on Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Directions to Expo/Packet Pick-up
Traveling on Interstate 40 East:
Take a left on Martin Luther King Parkway (look for the HWY 74/Wrightsville Beach road sign). Continue on this road; it will become Eastwood Road. Take Eastwood Road to Military Cutoff. Take a left on Military Cutoff and then another left into the Mayfaire Shopping Center on Main Street. Within the Mayfaire Shopping Center take a right onto Town Center Drive and you will see the expo tent on your right.
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Aid Station Nutrition and Information
The course will have well-stocked aid stations about every 1.5 to 2 miles.
GATORADE and Hammer Gels will be served at aid stations along with Coke, pretzels, bananas and oranges.
Spectator Information:
Option No. 1
Park at Mayfaire and walk toward Military Cutoff Road. You will see your runner at mile 4 and 11, and for marathoners, mile 22. You can then walk back across the street to see your runner finish.
Option No. 2
TO SEE THE START – You can park at Wrightsville Beach Park and watch the gun go off and then see your runner at mile 2. You will not be able to leave WB Park until all of the runners have cleared, so it may take you a little more time to get up to the Mayfaire/Military Cutoff area. Please note: Parking meters will be enforced beginning at 9 a.m. So do not park at a meter spot or paid parking lot if you plan to leave your car. (The WB Parks and Rec lot provides free parking all day.)
Option No. 3
Bike Rentals from Bike Cycles – The Quintiles Marathon encourages spectators to ride bikes to spectator-friendly locations. This is a spectator-friendly course as runners will race up Military Cutoff two times in the half-marathon and three times in the full marathon. You cannot ride next to your runner, but this will help you get from point A to point B so you don’t miss him or her. Please call ASAP to reserve a bike for this event. The price is $20 race day/$30 weekend (Friday pick-up); located in Mayfaire. Call 910-256-2545 or email Melanie@bikecycleshop.com.
