Running and Races

If you just want to get a great start with a morning jog, or wash away the cares of the day, find good footing along the tidal zone at the water's edge, or hit the more conventional sidewalk of our multi-use paths! You can run or walk for miles between Duck and Nags Head and Roanoke Island. You can find yourself winding your way through Kitty Hawk Village, or stroll by the shops and beautiful homes along historic Highway 12 in Nags Head or down the tree lined paths of Roanoke Island. So whether you're out for exercise, need to clear your head, or trying to make the other guy eat your dust, we've got just the right spot. Oh, year, did we mention 100 miles of beach?

If a little friendly competition is your thing, the Outer Banks plays host to many great short and long races. Here are just a few:

February 13
Outer Banks Running Club - Sweetheart 8K and 1 mile run/walk
The OBRC had set February 13th as the date for the fourth annual Sweetheart 8k and 1 mile run/walk. This year’s event will start and finish near the George Washington Creef Memorial Park by the lighthouse in downtown Manteo, NC. Start time for the race is 9 a.m.
This years race proceeds will benefit the food pantry at the Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church. Participants can contribute canned and dry goods to the food pantry on the morning of the race. The running club will also be collecting used shoes for “One World Running”, an international program promoting an awareness of health, fitness and nutrition by providing running shoes to those in need in the United States and around the world. Contributors of food and/or shoes will be entered into a free raffle drawing for door prizes.
The 8k race (4.97 miles) and the 1 mile event will have a coinciding start time. The one mile course will be “out and back. The 8k will be a circular course, staying on the NE side of route 64. Walkers are welcome and encouraged to participate in either event.
A special “Sweetheart Team” prize is a unique aspect of this annual event. A male and female who register as a team, will have their race time combined into a total score, the team with the lowest combined score will win the team prize.
Registration is online at fsseries.com. click on the Sweetheart 8k.  Race is limited to 100 participants so register early and train hard. For more information or to volunteer, contact the race director, Yevette Kirkpatrick at obrcyevette@charter.net or 475-1927.

March 13
Kelly's 2nd Annual Running of the Leprechauns 8K
Nags Head. 9 a.m. A truly GREEN event! Runners and Walkers embark on a 8k/5 mile point to point course including road and trail (through part of the Nags Head Woods Conservancy) for a share of Kelly's "pot of gold", GREEN GLORY, and fun! Awards and post race celebration and hospitality is held immediately following the race at Kelly's Tavern. outerbanksrunningclub.org/kellysrestaurant.com

April 18
Inaugural Flying Pirate Half Marathon
Outer Banks Sporting Events is pleased to announce the Inaugural Flying Pirate Half Marathon! Many of you have heard about the beauty of the first half of the Outer Banks Marathon course, and now you can run it!. Registration: active.com, obxmarathon.org

May 8
27th Annual Yuengling Nags Head Woods 5K Run
Not your typical walk down the beach, the dirt trails of the preserve weave through one of the best remaining examples of mid-Atlantic maritime forest and deciduous hardwoods. nagsheadwoods5k@gmail.com or active.com

July 4
Killer Dunes 2-Miler
Join runners from all across America as they race through the soft sand and giant dunes of Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head this Independence Day. Visit outerbanksrunningclub.org for more information.

August 8
9th Annual OBX Sandbar 5K
Set on the wide flat sands in front of the historic ‘Old Station’ public bath house in Kitty Hawk. outerbanksrelieffoundation

November 13
Outer Banks 8K
Kill Devil Hills, near the First Flight Schools Campus. An out-and-back course which will start in Kill Devil Hills, continue through Nags Head Woods Maritime Forest and finish at the First Flight High School track. obxmarathon.org

November 14
Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon
The marathon starts in Kitty Hawk, the half marathon starts at Jockeys Ridge and both cross the beautiful Washington-Baum Bridge and finish on Roanoke Island. obxmarathon.org

November 25
15th Annual Advice 5K Turkey Trot
Duck. A great warm up for your Thanksgiving Feast! Starting on Scarborough Lane in Duck with a finish line full of post race festivities! Runners and walkers of all abilities and ages are welcome. active.com


The Outer Banks Running Club, a member club of the Road Runners Club of America and USA Track & Field, offers weekly training, and racing events. If you're a beginner or a seasoned legger, come join the friendly running locals. Details at outerbanksrunningclub.org