The ship participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific theater of operations, earning 15 battle stars. Today, this authentically restored Battleship preserves our proud Naval history and serves as her state’s World War II memorial to the 11,000+ North Carolinians who sacrificed their all for their country. Tours are free for participants.
The race also takes runners and walkers through the historic areas of Wilmington, past scenic Greenfield Lake and runs back over the city’s Memorial Bridge for the finish line at the battleship memorial.
The course for the race is mostly flat, with the exception of the bridge crossings, the highest of which occurs around mile 12 in the race. To get all participants to the starting line on time (the race begins at 7:30 AM), race organizers will provide free river water taxis to transport all runners to the starting line at the battleship.
