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Delaware Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Wilmington, DE, USA
- Race Date: 04/18/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Delaware Marathon Description
The Delaware Marathon tours historic Wilmington each spring, starting and finishing at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. The first 13 miles wind through downtown, Brandywine Park, Rockford Park, and Rodney Square, before the second half follows the scenic Jack Markell Trail nearly to New Castle and back. The Boston-qualifying, mostly-loop course features rolling hills concentrated in the first half, giving way to flatter trail miles later on. A capped field and small-town charm make this a welcoming pick for a Delaware BQ attempt.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Delaware Marathon Additional Details:
The finisher medal itself tells a story, its design centers on the Riverfront Park entrance where the race starts and finishes, and this year’s edition adds a nod to America’s 250th birthday, turning it into more of a keepsake than a standard participation medal. Finishers also walk away with a logoed visor, a nice practical extra for a spring race that can run warm by the second half. Thirteen water stops line the route, including a turnaround point at New Castle Elementary School on the Jack Markell Trail, though runners chasing a specific fueling plan should pack their own gels since the stations stick mainly to water and Gatorade. With a field capped at 1,000 marathon entrants, the atmosphere stays intimate even as the course winds through Wilmington’s historic downtown and quiet park trails.
Course Information
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 7 hours (16 min/mile pace)
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 600 to 800
Marathon: 600 to 650
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft
Elevation Loss: 1,100 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 51°F
- High: 67°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Wilmington, DE, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Landmark
Hagley Museum and Library
Explore the former DuPont Company black powder works at Hagley Museum and Library, set on 235 wooded acres along the Brandywine River — an easy, low-impact stop after race weekend.
Sports & Entertainment
Delaware Children’s Museum
Visit the Delaware Children’s Museum on Wilmington’s Riverfront, with hands-on exhibits and daily programming — a relaxed, indoor way to spend an afternoon after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Nemours Estate
Tour the formal French gardens at Nemours Estate in Wilmington, one of the grand du Pont family properties — a relaxed, flat way to spend a rest day.
Outdoors & Trails
Brandywine Park
Walk winding trails through thick forest at Brandywine Park, part of Wilmington’s 552 acres of parkland along the Brandywine River — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs.
Museums & History
Delaware History Museum
Explore permanent and changing exhibits on Delaware’s past at the Delaware History Museum in downtown Wilmington — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race day.
Arts & Culture
Delaware Art Museum
See a large collection of British Pre-Raphaelite art and illustrations by Wilmington native Howard Pyle at the Delaware Art Museum — a relaxed, indoor way to spend a taper day.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Delaware Marathon
Compare nearby hotels and book your Delaware Marathon race-weekend stay in seconds.
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Featured Race
A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes
Other Races In Delaware
Boston Qualifier: Yes
World Major Qualifier: Yes