2026 Atlantic City Marathon - Oct 18

2026 Atlantic City Marathon - Oct 18 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Atlantic City Marathon - Oct 18
CityAtlantic City
Date2026-10-18 at 08:00
Field Size~1,000 runners
Time Limit6 hours 30 min
Cutoff pace9:15/km
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
Official SiteAtlantic City Marathon Race Series / JCC Atlantic

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature15.2°C / 59°F
Humidity77%
Wind26.7 km/h
Rain Chance29%
Typical ConditionsCool, breezy mid-October New Jersey shore morning — temperatures around 57 degrees F (14 degrees C) at the 8:00 a.m. start, with a steady ocean breeze off the Atlantic

What to Prepare: An October morning on the Atlantic City Boardwalk usually starts cool, around 57 degrees F (14 degrees C), and stays mild — close to ideal marathon weather. The wide-open oceanfront means a near-constant sea breeze, which is a tailwind heading south to Longport and a headwind on the way back, so dress for wind chill at the start and plan your effort around the turnaround rather than expecting still air.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 26.7 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 11.3°C 15.4°C 19.3°C
Dew point 5°C 10.8°C 17.4°C
Wet-day chance: 29% Runnability: 71/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypeOut-and-back (Boardwalk and oceanfront streets)
Elevation Gain60m
TerrainRoad and Boardwalk (paved shore-town avenues plus roughly 8 miles of wooden oceanfront Boardwalk, flat)
ProfileOne of the flattest marathons on the East Coast and the fastest certified course in New Jersey. The race starts and finishes on the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk near Michigan Avenue, then heads south through the shore towns of Ventnor, Margate and Longport on Atlantic and Ventnor Avenues, turning around at the end of the divider in Longport before returning to run roughly the final eight miles on the wooden Boardwalk itself, finishing right beside the ocean. Total elevation change is minimal — only about +60 m (200 ft) of gain across the whole 26.2 miles, with a high point near 22 ft and a low of 1 ft above sea level — so there are no real hills, just the occasional ramp on and off the Boardwalk. It is USATF-certified (course NJ22009DB) and a Boston qualifier, which makes it a genuine PR and BQ course. The one variable is wind: the exposed oceanfront can deliver a brisk sea breeze, so the out-and-back layout means you bank time with the wind on one leg and grind it back on the other. Run the flat profile for an even, aggressive pace and respect the headwind segment.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Atlantic City Marathon and what time does it start?

The 2026 AmeriHealth Atlantic City Marathon full marathon is held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with a 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time start on the Boardwalk near Michigan Avenue. It is part of a two-day race weekend — the 10K and G. Larry James 5K run on Saturday, October 17, while the full and half marathons run Sunday. The race has been held every fall since 1958, making it one of the oldest continuously run marathons in the United States.

Is the Atlantic City Marathon course flat and fast?

Yes — it is one of the flattest marathons on the East Coast and rated the fastest certified marathon course in New Jersey. Total climbing is only about +60 m (200 ft) across the full 26.2 miles, with the high point near 22 ft and the low at 1 ft above sea level. There are no real hills, just short ramps on and off the Boardwalk, so it is a true PR-friendly profile. The main pacing variable is the ocean wind rather than elevation.

Where does the Atlantic City Marathon course go?

It is an out-and-back that starts and finishes on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. From near Michigan Avenue the course heads south along Atlantic and Ventnor Avenues through the shore towns of Ventnor, Margate and Longport, turning around at the end of the divider in Longport, then returns to run roughly the final eight miles on the wooden Boardwalk with the ocean on one side, finishing back where it started. Check the official course map for the current 2026 layout.

Is the Atlantic City Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is USATF-certified (certification NJ22009DB) and an official Boston qualifier, so a qualifying time here counts toward Boston Marathon entry. Combined with the flat profile, it is one of the better realistic BQ-attempt courses in the Northeast — the only thing standing between you and a fast time is the wind off the Atlantic, not the terrain. Check your target on the Boston qualifying calculator.

What is the time limit for the Atlantic City Marathon?

The full marathon course stays open for 6.5 hours from the 8:00 a.m. start, which works out to about a 14:53 per mile (9:15 per km) pace to make the cutoff. That comfortably accommodates run-walkers and first-time marathoners. You can map your splits with the pace calculator before race day.

How much does the Atlantic City Marathon cost and how do I register?

Registration is handled online through RunSignup. Entry is first-come, first-served with no lottery, and prices rise as race day nears — the full marathon ran roughly $120 early, $135 standard and $150 late for the 2026 edition. Registering early saves money, and the marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K are all part of the same weekend, so you can pick the distance that fits your training.

How big is the Atlantic City Marathon?

It is a small-to-mid-sized marathon, with roughly 1,000 full-marathon finishers in recent years (about 971 in 2024 and 1,030 in 2025). The wider race weekend across all distances draws several thousand runners to the shore. The modest field means short start-line waits and an uncrowded course — you will have plenty of open Boardwalk to run your own race, with the liveliest support near the Atlantic City start and finish.

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