Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
If you asked me what the best marathon was in 2016 to 2020, I would instantly say "Outer Banks Marathon." No hesitation. I've been loyal to it since I first ran it in 2016. I came down every year up to 2020. I was even down there in 2020 and unofficially ran the first part of the course and turned around to get my distance. I turned around because someone wanted to experience the first part of the course since they have only ran the half marathon portion. The scenery was perfect. It had a blend of everything. Backwoods smelling like nice pine? Yes! Nice views from the sound? Perfect! A trail that would get you introduced to trail running like it did with me? Awesome! Crowd support? So much that there were unofficial aid stations. Now? I regret ever recommending it. I cannot say anything about 2021 or 2022 because I was not down there due to work issues. However, in 2023, there were...problems. The expo was really nothing. Only a few vendors set in a small church with very limited parking. Mine and other's bibs did not scan when we went to check them. Off to a very bad start. Race day? Terrible weather, but that's excusable. It's a part of being a runner. The problem? Logistics. Transportation was late. Thankfully I parked at Fort Raleigh and there were spaces! However, thanks to logistical issues, the race started late. Shivering in the very cold rain is a set-up for hypothermia. Race start: thankfully warming up despite it raining. Heavy bridge wind? Well, again, part of being a runner. You got a few miles before you hit the bridge. Going out the bridge, there's around 3 miles of it. Now, I ran the half marathon that year (2023), but if you did the full: you've got 11 miles in Mann's Harbor. Eleven mile. Yes, you read that right: 11 miles. Are you seeing an issue? It's the OUTER BANKS Marathon. Mann's Harbor is not a part of the Outer Banks. Then you go back onto the bridge so another around 3 miles. Now, you are back in Manteo: a part of the Outer Banks. But, you only got around 9 miles of it before you finish. So...why is it called the Outer Banks marathon when most of it doesn't even occur in the Outer Banks? I don't consider the bridge to be a part of the Outer Banks. It is a bridge to and from Outer Banks. Let's get into the years. Again, 2016 to 2019: the course was perfect. Started in Kitty Hawk, ended in Manteo. 2020: cancelled, but was expected and excusable due to the pandemic despite there being a marathon I ran in June which did workarounds. I cannot comment on 2021 or 2022 since I wasn't there. 2023, wasn't cancelled, but with a lot of issues. 2024: I didn't run but was down there since it is my favorite time of year at the Outer Banks and heard it all on the amateur radio repeater (I have an amateur radio license.) The marathon was cancelled (due to bridge work) and everyone was thrown down into the half-marathon. They did two loops at a certain course. Why cancel the marathon when they could have done 4 loops? Now: 2025, cancelled. Why is this an issue for 2025? According to other runners who unofficially ran the course: though the place itself was closed due to the Government shutdown, the gate was still open for visitors. So, you could still have done the marathon. So, since it was cancelled, it was not done. No refunds. Okay, we did sign a waiver, but it is what it is. However, we were promised our swag and a partial deferral to 2026. I don't care for that deferral, so I wanted the swag since I ran out unofficially but the 8k in Kill Devil Hills and the marathon in Avon. The close time was February 2026 if we wanted to defer. I chose not to. So, when was the swag going to be sent out? It would have been never if I didn't write an angry e-mail on June 24th asking about it. I got an angry e-mail back about "people still deferring". I wrote back saying the deferral was closed in February and sent pictures stating as such, and asked where was the swag. Well, a month later, I got the swag. I wish I could post pictures on here, but it is a major insult. I signed up for the 8k-marathon Challenge. Did I receive it? Nope. Only the marathon medal. Oh...it's the same exact medal as the half-marathon in 2023 except the ribbon was changed to 2025 marathon. Yep. Too lazy to create a new medal. The other swag? A cheap trucker's hat. Something I could have bought for $5. I got more swag at local 5ks. There was nothing else. Nothing else. Let me repeat that: nothing else. The management of this race is extremely poor. I would avoid it at all costs. They've even cancelled another race they created called Another Round 25k in the first year. Yeah: first year. They've cancelled the triathlon multiple times. I'm glad I never signed up for it to get my half-triathlon, and went with an Ironman endorsed one: Eagleman 70.3. So all-in-all: avoid.
Expect it to be cancelled.
Parking is terrible. If there are no parking spaces at the race start, you'll have to park at either the Manteo schools, which will shuttle you to the start. The rest is common Outer Banks: great restaurants. There are plenty of places to stay and traffic is not an issue since it is not the tourist nor the shoulder seasons.
I was scheduled for the 5k. The race was canceled with 2 weeks before due to Government shutdown. I can understand that. They said you could defer by February 1st. If you didn’t they would send you your swag. After numerous emails, some answered and some ignored as of today 5/5/26 still nothing.
I’m feeling ripped off. Seriously how long does it take to send it out ?
I’m not doing any of their races. Took my $$ and so far nothing.
Cancelled two years in a row. The second year, for an outlandish reason. I think they enjoyed keeping all of the registration money they wouldn't refund from the first year and decided to cancel again. Decided to cancel the race 2 weeks before scheduled date. Would not give me a refund or deferral. I am going to look into legal action. Would not recommend this race to my worst enemy.
From the race website:
Important Marathon Update
Dear Participants,
We’re deeply sorry to share that the OBX Marathon Weekend (Fun Run, 5k, 8k, Half Marathon, Marathon, and Expo) November 8–9 2025 has been canceled due to the ongoing government shutdown. Unfortunately, we do not have access to the necessary government officials required on site or for road closures; as well as crowd control to ensure a safe event...As a token of our appreciation, all registered participants will receive a 40% discount toward any future OBSE race in 2026.
We understand how disappointing and frustrating this news is, and we truly share in your irritation. As noted in our longstanding Deferral and Refund Policy, all registrations are final and non-transferable, and we are unable to issue refunds or deferrals, even in the event of cancellation.
We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend in the Outer Banks. Definitely visit the Lost Colony museum and Wright Memorial.
The course is flat and easy EXCEPT miles 10-13 which are on trails. Mile 12.4-13.0 is actually on single-track trails. I estimate that the trail section of the course cost me 1.5 minutes. I think the course organizers should have made that information clearer ahead of time (I learned about it at the expo the day before). Other than that very easy, flat course. We had a 5mph headwind in miles 21-25 the year I did it (2019). Winds are not unusual in the OBX though - the reason the Wright Brothers chose Kitty Hawk is exactly because it's one of the windiest places in the US.
If you are looking to BQ and you are just on the margin, I might choose an easier course that reliably has no wind. That said, both my boyfriend and I had PRs and the course is easier than many marathon courses. Again, it's a great vacation destination and a weekend is just the right amount of time to see the sights.
Miles 10-13 are on trails, 12.4-13.0 are on single-track trails. Show up on time - awards are based on gun time, not chip time.
Extremely well organized Marathon even compared to big races out ther. Love the Expo, small but with nice stuff with fair prices. Easy Check in and nice volunteers. Race well organized, easy course, good aid support, nice after party and nice scenery. Weather was also great this year and I wonder what it takes to find my marathon change its PR score because weather seem it has been great past several years as well.
Point for improvement would be better sign marks on the non-turn intersections. When there is no sign, just go straight and do not turn anywhere.
Mostly flat race. Trail section can be tricky and little time sucker. Hills are few and easy. What annoys me was the loosen gravel getting stuck under my shoes (ON has this problem). Bridge hill at 37km is not a big challenge.
I stayed at Beachwoods resort. Good one and I could walk to the start line.
I loved everything. Small size and friendly runners and spectators made this a perfect first marathon for me. Very well-run event in a quiet vacation location.
There is a 3-4 mile stretch around mile 8-10 that is unpaved and goes through the woods. Mostly sandy. I wasn’t expecting this! It wasn’t too technical, just surprising and threw me off a bit. There is one STEEP and sandy hill in the woods but it’s short and over with quickly.
Make a long weekend of it and rent a vacation home on the beach. It was beautiful. If possible, leave a car at the finish line the night before so that post-race is easier to manage. Get dropped off at the start line.
This race was well organized by friendly people. The after party food & refreshments were great, they were very generous with everything - even to friends of runners who were waiting for their racer.
Driving gets difficult for your spectators because of road closures for the race. Might be best to have them parked at the finish line early on to wait for you.
I did this race in 2015 (my first marathon ever) and would definitely do it again. Organized well, good amount of spectators throughout the course, and beautiful scenery.
This race is NOT as flat as the elevation profile says. Most of the hills are small and rolling, though the few miles through the woods is challenging. Thankfully, the pretty scenery will distract you. The biggest hill, the giant bridge just past mile 21, is not as bad as it looks.
I've done the full course 2 times and the half versions about six times. This is a beautiful race, really well organized and small enough not to feel over crowded. There are 3-4 waves and they move fast.
Be warned, the off-road portions can be really challenging. They are huge time sucks, in my experience, particularly the loose sand trail portion. The elevations aren't too major, but combined with the nature of the trail, they are enough to frustrate even strong runners. The Bridge is a good challenge, but after having it under your belt once, it isn't that big of a deal. Aside from the few miles of off-road, the course is flat and fast. Most of the first 13 miles is well-shaded and cool, the second half is more open road.
Overall, this race is well-run, the weather has been consistently beautiful the past 5-6 years and the spectators are great. I'd highly recommend. It is a good for a first timer. In April the first half of the course is run as a 13.1 and in November you can do the second half as a 13.1.
Be prepared for a decent challenge miles 10-13. Every time I've done this course I go into that stretch ahead of pace and come out a good amount behind. It can be frustrating. If possible, train some hilly trails. But also know once you break out of mile 13, the course definitely picks up pace.
Parking and shuttles for both the half and full are super easy, well organized. The only beef I might have is that the shuttles post-race tend to run a little slow. That combined with some extra heavy traffic makes getting back to your car/start/hotel a bit long. Still, it isn't bad and the organizers do a great job. Be warned that because this is a smaller venue, if spectators want to get from any point of the course to the finish point, traffic will be slow going. One lane open for the majority of the trip, with cars moving 10-15mph the entire way. The first year I did the half my family never made it to the finish line.
The expo is typical for a smaller event, about a dozen-plus vendors and a dozen or so local businesses.
This is an beautiful place to vacation. November is great because the summer crowds are gone, but the weather is still nice enough to enjoy outdoors, beach (not swimming, but exploring/hikes/ect) and most seasonal restaurants and businesses are still open. Because it is officially off-season, you can get a beach rental for a steal. We have family that lives here, but still get a beach front house and make a week of it with our kids. It is the best week of the year for our family and have even vacationed with 2-3 other "running" families in huge homes for an amazing price. If you can't manage the week, definitely swing a long weekend. You won't be disappointed!
