Elizabeth City: Home of The Coast Guard Marathon

If you've ever lived in or been to Elizabeth City, you've probably had a casual conversation with a Coastie at a local restaurant, heard the rumble of Coast Guard helicopters overheard, or maybe even been on base. The Coast Guard holds a long-standing place in the hearts of Elizabeth City residents and we're proud to be a designated Coast Guard City since 2015. Choosing Elizabeth City as the home of the inaugural Coast Guard Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K was easy! Just keep reading for a quick history and race details at the end.

In Elizabeth City alone, the Coast Guard employs over 2,000 personnel and supports 500 dependents and 700 military retirees! The Coastie community and Elizabeth City residents have a supportive relationship. From the annual Coast Guard Week offering discounts to Coast Guard men and women in local shops to volunteer programs like Partners in Education, the mutual love and support is apparent. "Since reporting to Base Elizabeth City in 2019, my family has felt the overwhelming support that makes our Harbor of Hospitality so inviting," says Commander Melissa Arles, executive officer of Base Elizabeth City. "The opportunity to help organize this inaugural running event with Base Elizabeth City, Visit Elizabeth City and other local organizations is a great example of our community's commitment to curate ongoing collaboration and positive growth."

Elizabeth City's history with the Coast Guard dates back to August 15, 1940 with the establishment of Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina. In its early years, Base Elizabeth City served as a training base for both Army and Navy personnel in addition to the Coast Guard. In 1944, top-secret mission Project Zebra brought Russian airmen to Base Elizabeth Ctiy for training in the American-built PBN-1 seaplane. More than 200 PBN-1s took flight with Russian aircrews from Elizabeth City to the Soviet Union.

Since the Air Station was established, Coasties have averaged over 360 search and rescue missions each year. Base Elizabeth City is home to the Aviation Logistics Center, Aviation Technical Training Center, Small Boat Station Elizabeth City, Air Station Elizabeth City, C27J APO, and National Strike Force. With one of the largest U.S. Coast Guard Air Stations, Base Elizabeth City continues to play a vital role in Coast Guard Aviation and training for Coasties all over the country. You can learn more about the history of Elizabeth City at our free regional museum, Museum of the Albemarle.

Coming soon to Elizabeth City's Coast Guard contributions are the Inaugural In-person and 2nd annual virtual races of the U.S. Coast Guard - The Coast Guard Marathon, Half, and 5K! Visit Elizabeth City is excited to celebrate our Coastie community and host this inaugural in-person and second annual virtual Full, Half, and 5K races to Coast Guard members, family, and supporters across the country. "About 5 years ago I was searching online for races to register for and saw all the other branches of service had events of some kind.  As a veteran, runner, and small business owner, I thought organizing an official race for the Coast Guard locally would be awesome for the community and possibly a legacy event for years to come." said Donnie Markham, a local runner who originated the idea of a Coast Guard sanctioned event in Elizabeth City. "I am excited to be part of the great team that Visit Elizabeth City has put together to make it happen."

Visit Elizabeth City has made the descision to host the inaugural in-person event and continue to have the option for virtual racing this year! Having both racing options will allow participants to show their love and support for the Coastie community in either in-person or from across the world. We are excited to be able to welcome runners from far and wide to our quaint coastal town in 2022. 

"When Coasties say 'Always Ready' we mean it!" says CWO Paul Spencer. "We've been anxiously awaiting race day since talks of the event started in fall 2019 and can't wait to see Coast Guard members and supporters from all over the country join us in the inaugural event. It’s an honor to be part of the team making this run happen."

For the inaugural in-person event, the Coast Guard Marathon Weekend is from March 2-4, 2023. Kicking off the event will be the Health and Fitness Expo and ending with a Post-Race Celebration for all runners! This event can not be missed.

Virtual participants can complete their race by walking or running anywhere—even their treadmill—any time between the official race day of March 3- March 31, 2023. Choose your swag items including a t-shirt and finishers medal, create a team or run on your own, and run your own race at your own pace with this event.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating in-person or virtually in March 2-4, 2023!

Sources: cgaviationhistory.org, dcms.uscg.mil

 

For more information and to register for The Coast Guard Marathon, Half, and 5K, check out CoastGuardMarathon.com! 

 

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