4 events in Wilmington, North Carolina

WHAT:

The North Carolina Azalea Festival Seahawk Sun Run Presented by Harris Teeter in Partnership with UNCW Homecoming

Join us at UNCW! The Azalea Festival is excited to host the Seahawk Sun Run on the UNCW Campus as part of the UNCW Homecoming weekend. The event includes a 5K and 1 Mile. You can walk or run either event. The Festival is happy to partner with the UNCW Alumni Association to provide this Homecoming event for alumni and the Wilmington community!

DATE:

Saturday, February 14, 2026

START/FINISH LINE LOCATION:

UNCW Amphitheater

615 Hamilton Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

DISTANCES OFFERED:

5K - This event is timed

1 Mile - This event is not timed

*You can walk or run either event.

HOW TO REGISTER:

Register Before the Race: Click on the SIGN UP button in the upper right corner

Register At Pre-Race Packet Pickup or On Race Day: To register at packet pickup or at the race, we will provide a QR code for you to register on your phone. You can also register online from your phone or device up until the race starts.

PARKING:

Parking is available at Fisher Student Center (615 Hamilton Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403) as well as the UNCW Visitor Lot (4941 Riegel Road, Wilmington, NC 28403).

PACKET PICKUP & RACE SCHEDULE:

Click HERE for the full schedule of events

HOW YOUR REGISTRATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The Azalea Festival Seahawk Sun Run benefits several great organizations.

North Carolina Azalea Festival

Participants registering as an individual racer, 100% of your proceeds go to the North Carolina Azalea Festival. The Festival's mission is to stimulate the economy and promote volunteerism. The Festival creates an estimated 51 million dollars annually in economic stimulus, and has over 1,000 volunteers who help plan, manage, and orchestrate around 50 Azalea Festival events each year.

Fellowship in Volunteerism & Civic Engagement Scholarship

For participants registering as a direct participant of UNCW Homecoming Weekend, 100% proceeds go to the Fellowship in Volunteerism and Civic Engagement Scholarship at UNCW. The Fellowship provides scholarships for UNCW students who intern with the Festival, learning valuable non-profit event management skills and the importance of giving back to your community.

paws4people

For participants participating with their dog, 50% of your proceeds go to paws4people. paws4people facilitates opportunities for individuals to experience a fulfilling life by providing customized training with a highly-qualified Assistance Dog.

ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA AZALEA FESTIVAL

The North Carolina Azalea Festival is held every Spring in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Azalea Festival’s roots go back to 1934 with Dr. Houston Moore who had the vision of transforming un-kept, swampy Greenfield Lake into a beautifully landscaped park. He enlisted the support of a coalition of local clubs, headed by the Wilmington Rotary Club, to bring the vision to life. It took nearly ten years of financial ups and down before the park finally blossomed, but once it did, its splendor inspired Dr. Moore to conceive the idea of a Festival to be held annually ‘when the flowers burst into bloom’. The first North Carolina Azalea Festival was held in 1948 and despite modest projections, drew over 60,000 spectators – including one invited guest that came all the way from Hollywood: movie queen Jacqueline White, who was named the first Queen Azalea.

Here is a quick snapshot of who we are:

• We're locally-grown; in 1948 Wilmington citizens and various community groups came together to create the first Azalea Festival.

• Our mission is to stimulate the economy and promote volunteerism.

• We help create an estimated $51 million dollars annually in economic stimulus.

• We have over 1,000 volunteers who help plan, manage, and orchestrate around 50 Azalea Festival events each year.

• Many big names have joined us at the Azalea Festival: President Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra, Carrie Underwood, Duran Duran, Snoop Dogg, Kelly Ripa, Phylicia Rashad, Michael Jordan...just to name a few!

WHAT:

Journey to Heal Ministries is hosting its 8th Annual 5K/1.5 Mile Hope Run or Walk Charity Fundraiser to help raise awareness and needed support for their mission to help adult women heal from past sexual abuse. Based on reported cases in the U.S., 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse in their lifetime. If nothing changes, it is estimated that 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before they turn 18. Take the challenge to #END1IN10 and help adult survivors to #LIVEABETTERSTORY when you walk, run, sponsor, donate, or volunteer in support!

**Teams of 10 or more may receive $5 off per participant! Email [email protected] PRIOR to registering and creating your team, for a special coupon code!

**Children 12 and under automatically receive a $10 discounted rate during registration for the in-person 5K event only.

DATE:

In-Person Event: Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 4-7pm!

Virtual Race: Walk or run in your community, anytime between April 1st - April 26th!

LOCATION:

In Person Event

Long Leaf Park - Shelter 6

314 Pine Grove Drive

Wilmington, NC 28409

Virtual Event

Walk or run in your community anytime between April 1st to April 26th, or register under a specific virtual team to participate on their specific date/time.

DISTANCES OFFERED:

5K In Person - This event is timed

1.5 Mile In Person - This event is not timed

5K Virtual

1.5 Mile Virtual

Note: you can run or walk any event!

PARKING:

For our local event, Long Leaf Park requests we limit participant parking to hard top areas only. Ample visitor parking is available in the hardtop parking lots throughout the park, or directly across from Shelter 6. PLEASE DO NOT PARK AT THE SHELTER AREA.

TO REGISTER:

Before the Race: Click on the SIGN-UP button in the upper right corner.

At Pre-Race Packet Pickup or On Race Day: For Wilmington participants, registration is available online until 10 minutes before the start of the race. At the race, we will have a QR code you can scan to register on your phone. We highly encourage you to register before arriving to the race site.

TO DONATE:

Click on the DONATE button at the top right corner, to support the mission of the race host, Journey to Heal Ministries! All donations are 100% tax deductable.

EVENT SCHEDULE & PACKET PICKUPS:

Click HERE for the full schedule of events

HOST HOPE RUN IN YOUR COMMUNITY:

Whether you're an individual, corporation, or ministry organization you can support this race when you sponsor and/or host this race event in your community! Download the Journey to Heal Ministries Hope Run Virtual Host Event Guide to explore all the details and set up your sponsorship and/or virtual team.

HOW YOUR REGISTRATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE:

All proceeds from the race benefit the work of Journey to Heal Ministries (JTHM) - a local, volunteer run, 501(c)3 nonprofit established in 2018 to help adult women of all ages, race, and backgrounds to heal from past sexual abuse through providing hope in Jesus Christ. They accomplish their mission by providing FREE trauma-informed and Gospel centered peer recovery program offering Christ-centered support, education, and community. Learn more about their mission and impact at www.journeytohealministries.org.

WHAT

We Are Family at the Willie Stargell 5K Road Race Presented by nCino!

This spring, get your family and friends together and join our family as we run (or walk) to help those living with kidney disease. The event takes place at Mayfaire Town Center in Wilmington, North Carolina offering a flat course for the 1 Mile and 5K events. There is a virtual option if you cannot join us in person. The popular finisher medals and awards will be back.

The Willie Stargell 5K raises money to support those living with kidney disease through research, patient care, and treatment in honor of Willie Stargell. Baseball Hall of Fame Member Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates, passed away from kidney disease in 2001. The Willie Stargell Foundation gives hope to those fighting this disease.

COMPLIMENTARY AWARDS BRUNCH

All participants receive a ticket to the Willie Stargell 5K Awards Brunch at Coquina Fish Bar Restaurant next to Mayfaire Regal Theater.

DISTANCES OFFERED

1 Mile - This event is not timed.

5K - This event is timed.

You can run or walk.

WHEN

Saturday, April 18, 2026

WHERE

Mayfaire Town Center (next to Coquina Fishbar & Regal Movies)

890 Town Center Dr

Wilmington, NC 28405

HOW TO REGISTER

Click on the Sign Up button in the upper right corner

To Register at Packet Pickup or Race Day: To register at packet pickup or race morning, we will provide a QR code for you to register on your phone. You can also register online from your phone or device up until the race starts.

FOR FULL SCHEDULE

For the full Schedule of Events, click HERE

HOW YOUR REGISTRATION HELPS

The Willie Stargell 5K raises money to support those living with kidney disease through research, patient care, and treatment in honor of Willie Stargell. Each year, the Willie Stargell Foundation donates thousands of dollars to organizations and schools supporting kidney disease research and care. For more information on the Willie Stargell Foundation, visit their website HERE

WHAT

The WILMA Dash is Wilmington, North Carolina’s ONLY All-Female 5K!

The race is presented by WILMA Magazine. It is a great event for first-time runners, walkers, and for seasoned runners looking for a personal best. After your race, stay for the Health Fest, food, and drinks.

DATE

Thursday, May 7, 2026

START / FINISH LINE LOCATION

Wilmington Convention Center (race starts inside the convention center)

10 Convention Center Drive

Wilmington, NC 28401

DISTANCES OFFERED

5K - The 5K is timed. You can run or walk.

5K Virtual - You can run or walk anywhere, anytime. Just submit results on this website by May 9th.

AFTER YOUR RACE

Join us at the Health Fest!

After the race, stay for the WILMA Dash Health Fest, taking place at the start and finish line, which is inside the Convention Center’s 30,000 square foot Expo Hall. Entry into The Health Fest is included with your WILMA Dash registration and includes dozens of local health & wellness exhibitors, food, drinks, awards and more!

Check out a full list of Health Fest vendors among our WILMA Dash sponsors.

Not participating in the Dash, but still want to be a part of the action? The Health Fest is open to everyone and all ticket proceeds will benefit your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. The Expo Hall will be open from 4pm-9pm and a suggested $10 donation from those 21 and up is encouraged at the door, which includes entry into the Health Fest, two drink tickets and food. Under 21? No problem! A suggested donation of $5 at the door includes food and Health Fest entry.

HOW TO REGISTER

Register Before the Race:

Click on the SIGN UP button in the upper right corner

To Register On-Site in Person:

If you plan to register on-site, in person, you will need to do so on your own mobile device such as a mobile phone. Registrants will be asked to scan a QR code to register online.

TEAMS

Teams of 10 or more may email [email protected] to request a Team Discount (can not be used during Early Registration period). Only the team captain should inquire. Make sure to reach out BEFORE you register in order to apply the discount during checkout!

PARKING

Convention Center Deck: $3 for up to 1 hour; $5 for up to 2 hours; $7 for up to three hours; $9 for up to 4 hours; $11 for hours four through twelve, and $15 for hours twelve through twenty-four.

Nutt St. Parking Deck: $2/hour

Hanover St. Parking Deck: $2/hour

Skyline Center (old PPD building) Parking Deck: Up to 1 hour: $1; Up to 2 hours: $3; Up to 3 hours: $6; 3 to 12 hours: $9; 12 to 24 hours: $14 Max

• Parking is also available at any open parking lot or open street parking spot.

PACKET PICKUP & FULL RACE SCHEDULE

Click HERE for packet pick up details and race schedule

HOW YOUR REGISTRATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE

WILMA Dash is honored to partner with The Alzheimer’s Association for 2026. The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Click here to learn more!