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Sports and Recreation

Running and Walking

 

The great thing about running or walking for exercise is that you can do it just about anywhere. One good place locally is downtown Wilmington, where you can jog over the bridges and do the hills or briskly traverse the Riverwalk from end to end, all the while enjoying views of the Cape Fear River and beautiful historic surroundings. You may want to check out some of the following prime locations or participate in one of the area's several annual racing events. Our Triathlons section later in this chapter lists several challenging events. PW 12-29-06

Carolina Beach Lake Park
Atlanta Ave. and U.S. Hwy. 421, Carolina Beach

A 0.75-mile wide concrete trail circling this picturesque lake is ideal for walkers and joggers who are looking for a convenient, safe place to exercise all year long. It's very popular with dogs as well, so pet walkers will appreciate having clean-up bags and trash containers conveniently located along the way.  PW 12-29-06

Greenfield Park
U.S. Hwy. 421 (Carolina Beach Rd.), Wilmington

Among the most beautiful places in Wilmington to jog or walk is the 5-mile loop around Greenfield Lake, south of downtown. The scenic paved path bears mile markers and follows the undulating lake shore across two wooden foot bridges (slippery when wet).PW 12-29-06

Halyburton Park
4099 S. 17th St., Wilmington

Located in the southwest district of Wilmington near Independence Boulevard, the 58-acre Halyburton Park has a handicapped-accessible, 1.3-mile walking/bike trail that traverses some lovely natural areas. PW 12-29-06

"The Loop" at Wrightsville Beach

This scenic sidewalk circuit is an approximately 2.45-mile course that is very popular among locals. It encompasses a portion of the perimeter of Wrightsville Beach Park along Causeway Drive, plus Lumina Avenue and Salisbury Street. Bring the pooch. There's a free Dog Bar (serving water) beside Bryant Real Estate at the corner of N. Lumina and Salisbury plus two additional doggy fountains along the route. Benches and drinking water are available for people, too. Pet owners are required to clean up after their pets. PW 12-29-06
 

Wilmington Roadrunners Club 
c/o Wilmington Family YMCA,
2710 Market St., Wilmington

(910) 251-9622

www.wilmingtonfamilyymca.org

WilmingtonFamilyYMCA_FitnessSportsAndRecreation_WilmingtonNC_070809

The Wilmington Roadrunners Club, headquartered at the YMCA, sponsors races, picnics, fun runs and evening runs. Entire families are welcome. Membership in the Roadrunners Club includes newsletter and magazine subscriptions, discounts on gear, and other perks. This is the place to learn what's going on in the running world, especially the events being held in the Cape Fear area. Call, watch the YMCA bulletin board or visit www.wilmingtonroadrunners.org.KW 02-25-08
 

Oak Island Recreation Department
3003 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
(910) 278-5518

Beach Walkers meet five days a week to enjoy a stroll along Oak Island's beautiful strand while improving physical fitness. The South Harbour Making Tracks walking group meets at the tennis courts beside the pro shop on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 AM. Individuals can chose to complete either a one-mile or two-mile walk on pre-aproved routes. Participants in each of these programs keep records of their mileage and report it at the end of the month as part of an incentive program. RP 06-10-07

Annual Races

Races of different sorts are popular in our area, thanks to the gentle terrain and mild weather. Just a few of the regulars are listed here, but if you keep an eye on the Star-News "Sports," "Today," "Neighbors" and "Currents" sections, you'll likely find more. Some places in Wilmington to pick up event brochures and flyers are:

Boseman's Sporting Goods, 5050 New Centre Drive, Wilmington, (910) 799-5990
Dick's Sporting Goods, 816 S. College Road, Wilmington,
(910) 793-1904

Great Outdoor Provision Company
, 3501 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, (910) 343-1648
Omega Sports, 3501 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, (910) 762-7212
Play It Again Sports, 3530 S. College Road, Wilmington,
(910) 791-1572

Wilmington Family YMCA
, 2710 Market Street, Wilmington,
(910) 251-9622

PW 01-03-07

New Hanover County

Carolina Sports Medicine Battleship NORTH CAROLINA
 Half Marathon
Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, 1 Battleship Rd., Wilmington
(910) 251-5797
www.battleshiphalfmarathon.active.com

The Carolina Sports Medicine Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles) is a challenging race that starts and finishes at the Battleship North Carolina. The half-marathon is a USATF–certified course that goes over two bridges, passes through Historic Downtown Wilmington, tours beautiful Greenfield Lake, crosses the Cape Fear Memorial bridge and returns to the battleship. It is the largest half-marathon in the state. Two new state records were set on this course in 2007. The 5K is a precisely measured out-and-back course that crosses one bridge, makes a U-turn, and returns to the battleship. This event is presented annually on the second weekend in November by Ed Fore in cooperation with the staff of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Memorial, the Wilmington Family YMCA and members of the local running community. The race features chip timing, river taxi and trolley buses to race start, a Saturday Expo/packet pickup at the Battleship Memorial, an awards ceremony overlooking the beautiful Cape Fear River and free beer after the race. Proceeds benefit the Battleship Restoration Fund, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society TNT, Wilmington Family YMCA and several other local charities.KW 01-04-08

Seaside Shuffle 5K
c/o Wilmington Family YMCA, 2710 Market St., Wilmington
(910) 251-9622

Organized by the Wilmington Roadrunners Club, this event is held in Wrightsville Beach the third weekend in November. The Seaside Shuffle is based at the Blockade Runner Resort Hotel. Men and women compete separately in a 5K road race over a USATF certified course. This is billed as a 'race for runners' and includes a post-race awards ceremony and party on the hotel's beautiful oceanfront patio.  PW 01-17-07

Wilmington Dog Jog
Greenfield Park, Wilmington
(910) 341-4602

On a designated Saturday each fall, Wilmington Parks and Recreation hosts the highly popular Wilmington Dog Jog to benefit the New Hanover Humane Society. The Wilmington Dog Jog includes a 5K Run (3.1 miles) and a 1.5 mile Fun Walk, which encourages people of all ages to run, walk or jog with their dogs, and ends with the Pooch Plunge at the Legion swimming pool. There are door prizes as well as vendors at this festive event, which usually sees more than 400 dogs and their people participating. PW 01-03-07
 

The Wilmington YMCA Tri-Span Run 
c/o Wilmington Family YMCA, 2710 Market St., Wilmington

(910) 251-9622
www.wilmingtonfamilyymca.org

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Sponsored by the Wilmington Family YMCA and several area businesses, the Tri-Span 10K and 5K takes place around the first of July. The 10K course crosses three bridges along the Wilmington waterfront, and the 5K goes through historic Downtown Wilmington. Money raised goes to the YMCA Children's Sustaining Fund for after-school programs and scholarship memberships to the YMCA. Call Gray Fore at the YMCA for detailed information.KW 02-25-08
 

Brunswick County

Bald Head Island Maritime Classic Road Race
Bald Head Island Management, Bald Head Island
(910) 457-7381, (800) 234-1666, ext. 3701

The Maritime Classic takes place the first Saturday in November and features a 10K footrace along some of the most scenic byways in the region, ranging through dense maritime forest, open meadow and through a manicured golf and beach community. Pre-registration includes the ferry ride from Southport. RP 06-10-07

Freedom Run
Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce
4841 Long Beach Rd., SE, Southport
(910) 457-6964, (800) 457-6964
www.nc4thofjuly.com

The annual 5K Freedom Run in Southport is an integral part of the N.C. Fourth of July Festival activities. The early morning race, which has attracted runners from as far away as Arizona, begins at Waterfront Park, heads west on Bay Street, then winds through the Yacht Basin onto Brunswick, W. West, Atlantic, Leonard, Fodale, Moore and Rhett Streets and finishes right where it started. Refreshments and live music await all participants. RP 06-10-07

Oak Island Lighthouse 10K/5K Run/Walk
Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce
4841 Long Beach Rd., SE, Southport
 (910) 457-6964, (800) 457-6964
www.oakislandlighthouse10k.com

The route of this popular run/walk begins at the Brunswick County Airport (5K run begins at the Caswell Beach Town Hall), crosses the Oak Island Bridge, turns through tree-lined streets, follows the beachfront and ends just past the Oak Island Lighthouse at the N.C. Baptist Assembly. Framed Oak Island Lighthouse prints by local artist Ricky Evans of Ricky Evans Gallery are awarded to the three top runners overall and the three top runners in each age group. Come join the competition! RP 06-10-07

North Carolina Oyster Festival Road Race
Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce
(910) 754-6644, (910) 82-3828, (800) 426-6644

The Oyster Festival Road Race is part of Ocean Isle Beach's North Carolina Oyster Festival, held the third weekend in October. Held on Saturday morning, this fun event is open to all ages. Three races include 10K, 5K and a 1-mile Fun Run. The race begins and ends at the pier. Call the chamber office for more information or to register. The pre-registration deadline is mid-October. RP 06-10-07

Sea Trail 5 Mile Run
Brunswick Family Assistance Agency
4600 Main St., Shallotte
(910) 754-4766

This race begins and ends at the Sea Trail Gazebo in Sea Trail Plantation. It is a 5-mile loop course on mostly paved roads in Sea Trail and Sunset Beach. Awards are given to the top three finishers in each age group and to the top three overall male and female finishers. Proceeds benefit Brunswick Family Assistance. RP 06-10-07

 

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