Ellerbe2027

Sat, 27 Feb 2027 · Ellerbe, NC · 117 days

Distance: 21.1 km
Terrain: Hilly
Layout: Point to point
Race day: 11°C (52°F)

HISTORY The Ellerbe Marathon first ran in 1992. Its origin dates to the fall of 1991 as Mark Long and Doug Dawkins were returning from the Greensboro Marathon. At that time there were but a few marathons in North Carolina. By the time the pair had reached Richmond County on Highway 220 they had mostly agreed on the idea of working together to create a local marathon. That first race was held April 12, 1992 with 41 entrants and 39 finishers. There was no online entry. No website. All those interested had to request a paper entry form be mailed to them and return it with a check to enter. Aid stations had no food, just water and Gatorade. Runners had to finish the race to get a t-shirt. There were no medals. All “Old School.” There was a period in the 1990s when The Ellerbe Marathon and The Grandfather Mountain Marathon were the only two marathons in North Carolina. The Ellerbe Marathon has survived many challenges and changes since that first year. We survived Covid. We have survived changes in hosts, locations, and race directors. But the Ellerbe Marathon has not missed a year since that first event in 1992 and we are now the oldest continuously held marathon in North Carolina. We followed the trend and now present t-shirts before the race. We have nice pottery wine cups for all who finish. And we have a nice custom medal. We have snacks at the aid stations and a post-race meal just like all the others. And we have no sponsors. The only ones we have to please are our…

Before you go

Pro tips

Racing it

01
Pace the Laps
The course is hilly and run in laps, so you'll face the same climbs multiple times. Start conservatively to save energy for later laps.
From the elevation profile, layout
02
Snacks on Course
Aid stations have snacks, not just water and sports drink. You can rely on them for fuel, but carry anything specific you need.
From the description
03
Use the Start/Finish
Because the course is laps, you'll return to the start/finish area repeatedly. Use it to grab extra layers or nutrition you leave there.
From the layout
04
Finish for the Pottery
Finishers get a pottery wine cup, a custom medal, and a post-race meal. Knowing that awaits can help you push through the final lap.
From the description

In Ellerbe

Getting Around
Ellerbe is a small town with light traffic. On race day, arrive early to find parking near the event, and expect some local road closures.
Spectator Spots
The compact downtown makes it easy for spectators to walk between viewing points. The area near the start and finish is usually the best place to cheer.
Recover in the Sandhills
After the race, take a gentle walk on quiet country roads or relax in a local park. The rural Sandhills setting is perfect for a low-key recovery.

Written by AI from the course data and the race's description; city tips are general knowledge. Check race-day details with the organizer.

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