Mangum Marathon & 1/2 Marathon

Mangum Marathon & 1/2 Marathon is run in Ellerbe, in Richmond County, North Carolina, on January 16, 2027. The marathon (26.2 miles) and the half marathon (13.1 miles) both start at 8 a.m. from the Dog Pen start, and the route follows quiet country roads. The event is chip timed, with awards for the leading male and female finishers and a commemorative medal for everyone who finishes. Cutoffs are generous: seven hours for the marathon and five for the half.

Seven hours is a wide window, and it signals an event that expects runners of very different speeds rather than only fast ones. That makes it a reasonable choice for a first marathon, particularly if you plan to use a run walk strategy and want the reassurance of not being swept. Rural roads also mean fewer spectators and long stretches on your own, so practise running by feel and carrying what you need. A 16 week build with one long run a week is the standard route in.