How do I enter the Delaware Marathon?

Registration is open to anyone online until April 18 at 3:00 pm, or sooner if the 1,000-runner marathon field fills first. If space remains, in-person registration is also available at packet pickup.

Is the Delaware Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. A small percentage of finishers hit the standard each year, so it is achievable but not a given on this course.

What is the time limit?

The time limit is 7 hours, which gives a wide range of runners a realistic shot at finishing.

What is the course like?

It's a multi-loop course with over 1,000 feet of total elevation gain and an equal amount of loss. Net elevation is zero, but the same climbs repeat each loop, so the course gets harder as the miles add up. It is not a flat or fast course.

What is the weather typically like on race day?

Race day falls in mid-April, when Wilmington averages a low around the upper 40s and a high in the upper 60s. Conditions can shift during the race, so be prepared for warmth building in the later loops.

How large is the field?

Recent editions have had around 600 finishers in the marathon, with the field capped at 1,000 runners. It's a mid-size race with a community feel rather than a large-city crowd.

Where does the race start and finish?

Both the start and finish are at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park at S Market and Rosa Parks Drive in downtown Wilmington. The nearest major airport is Philadelphia International, about 30 miles away.

Apr 2027 · est.Wilmington, DESince 2004

Delaware Marathon

The Delaware Marathon runs a multi-loop course through Wilmington, with real elevation to work through and a generous time limit that welcomes a wide range of runners. It's a honest day out, not a fast one.

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DELAWARE · US

Delaware

APR 2027

estimated

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Race Overview

EST. 2004

Delaware is a low-key race that feels more like a local running community putting on a good event than a big-city production. It starts and finishes at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park on the Wilmington waterfront, and the multi-loop course means you never stray too far from base. That's useful if you need crew support or just want a familiar landmark to reset on each lap. The course rolls throughout, and with over a thousand feet of cumulative gain it will test your legs by the back half. Don't treat the early miles as free speed.

This is not the race you pick for a flat, wind-sheltered PR attempt. But if you want a genuine challenge on a certified course in a small, friendly field, it delivers. The weather in late April can be kind or it can swing warm and windy, so stay flexible with your pacing plan. Getting in is straightforward, no lottery, no qualifying standard. Just register before the field fills and show up ready to work. It's a good honest race, and Wilmington is an easy weekend trip from anywhere on the Northeast corridor.

Field size

~643

643 finishers

BQ rate

5%

Near national average

Time limit

7:00

Generous cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

The Course

1,025 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑1,025 ft

Total descent

↓1,025 ft

Net elevation

↑0 ft

Highest point

290 ft

Lowest point

2 ft

Course shape

Multi loop

Start and finish in one place

The Delaware Marathon is a multi-loop course with just over 1,000 feet of cumulative gain and an equal amount of loss, leaving net elevation at zero. That figure is deceptive. The same climbs repeat each loop, so fatigue compounds what fresh legs handled early. The course spans from near sea level up to roughly 290 feet, meaning the gradient is genuine rather than rolling. Plan to run conservatively on the first loop and treat the descents as recovery rather than free speed. Repeating terrain also means knowing exactly what is coming, which helps pacing but removes the distraction of novelty late in the race when you need it most.

DIFFICULTYHILLYPR-FRIENDLYNO

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

47°F

High

68°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

April in Wilmington is variable. You could get a cool, comfortable morning that holds through the finish, or you could get a warm afternoon that catches you mid-loop when you're already tired. The average high creeps into the upper 60s, which sounds fine until you're on your second loop at noon. Start hydrating early. Don't assume the mild morning temperature is what you'll be running in by mile 20.

Entry

OPEN

Open online registration closes April 18, 2026 at 3:00 pm or when the marathon field of 1,000 runners is filled. In-person registration available at packet pickup if space remains.

Register on race site