Outer Banks Marathon, Half Marathon, Fun Run & 5K Events

For course info for the Outer Banks Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K, 5K and Fun Run, read on. 

Gateway Bank Outer Banks Marathon Course Info - Start 7:20am
The Outer Banks is at sea level and the point-to-point course is mainly flat. There are two points of course elevation. The first is in Nags Head Woods Preserve around mile 12 of the marathon course. The second is crossing the 35 foot tall Washington-Baum Bridge leading to Roanoke Island at mile 23.

Click here to see the Videoed Gateway Bank Outer Banks Marathon course.  Created by runner, Thea Ganoe, it is a Live Google map of the course and it is awesome!  Thanks, Thea!

Click here for 2011 course map.  Map printing instructions: before printing please set your page orientation to landscape.

Begin your journey in historic Kitty Hawk, home to the birth of aviation. Run with the ghosts of the Wright Brothers as you meander the Memorial Trail on the edge of the picturesque Albemarle Sound. This part of the course is flat, but don’t run so fast that you miss the incredible Outer Banks scenery. Sea oats, herons, egrets and sound views create a relaxing start to your 26.2 mile-long journey.

After just a few miles you’ll be greeted by the real Outer Banks – the people who make up this warm, close-knit community. Feel the energy boost as they applaud your run down residential Bay Drive on your way towards history.

At mile 8 you'll run along the base of the famous Wright Brothers Monument, marking the location of the first flight that took place on December 17, 1903. Look up and you are sure to see planes flying overhead. You'll be running where flight began! Imagine adding wings to your shoes and take flight.

No one said this was going to be easy. At about the 12 1/2 mile, you’ll leave Nags Head Woods on a narrow trail with off-road conditions. Don’t let this short trail slow you down, because you are about to run by the largest sand dune on the East Coast – Jockey’s Ridge State Park.Enjoy the view of hang gliders flying from the mountain of sand and make a mental note to come back later and enjoy the sunset from the top of the ridge. It is breath taking!

Ready for more water views? You’re in luck! Enjoy Soundside Road in Nags Head. Make sure you look across the water and spot the Washington Baum Bridge and Roanoke Island. The end is in sight!

Miles 14-22 are flat and fast. Every mile along the marathon course will be marked Outer Bank’s style, with Mile Marker Sponsors providing entertainment every mile. From bands to clowns, to cheering squads – you can look forward to a surprise every mile of the way!

Crossing the Washington-Baum Bridge at mile 23 will be your next challenge. The bridge is tall (stats: 1.05 mi long, 82' high, with a 650' climb to the top at a 4% grade) - be sure to look down. You’ll see charter boats heading out to catch your dinner! An unbelievable view over the Roanoke Sound, and then downhill onto Roanoke Island where the first English colonists settled in America in 1587.

 You're now just a few short miles to beautiful downtown Manteo. A small-town festival atmosphere awaits you with more cheering crowds to boost your energy for the home stretch to the Finish in downtown Manteo and the post-race party! 

Click here to see the Half Marathon course, created by runner, Thea Ganoe!  Thea created this Live Google map and pics of the course and it is awesome!  Thanks, Thea!

Click here for 2011 course map.  Map printing instructions: before printing please set your page orientation to landscape.

Ready, Set, Go! - The Half Marathon will start on E. Baltic Street in Nags Head. The Outer Banks is at sea level and the course is mainly flat with only one point of elevation at mile 9 where you'll cross the 35-foot tall Washington-Baum Bridge.

Enjoy the view of hang gliders flying from the mountain of sand at Jockey's Ridge and make a mental note to come back later and enjoy the sunset from the top of the ridge. It is breath taking!

Ready for more water views? You’re in luck! Enjoy Soundside Road in Nags Head. Make sure you look across the water and spot the Washington-Baum Bridge and Roanoke Island. The end is in sight.

Miles 6-8 are flat and fast. Every mile along the half marathon course will be marked Outer Bank’s style, with Mile Marker Sponsors providing entertainment every mile. From bands to clowns, to cheering squads – you can look forward to a surprise every mile of the way!

Crossing the Washington-Baum Bridge at mile 9 will be your next challenge. The bridge is tall (stats: 1.05 mi long, 82' high, with a 650' climb to the top at a 4% grade) – be sure to look down. You'll see charter boats heading out to catch your dinner! An unbelievable view over the Roanoke Sound, and then downhill onto Roanoke Island where the first English colonists settled in America in 1587.

Mile 11 brings you to beautiful downtown Manteo. A small-town festival atmosphere awaits you with more cheering crowds to boost your energy for the home stretch to the Finish in downtown Manteo and the Post Race Party!  Woo-hoo, you did it!!

 Outer Banks 8K  

The Outer Banks 8K is an out-and-back course which will start in Kill Devil Hills at the First Flight High School track (in front of the grandstand), continue through Nags Head Woods Maritime Forest and finish at the track.  The course is partly on a dirt road and is walker-friendly.

 The Outer Banks 8K is an out-and-back course which will start in Kill Devil Hills at the First Flight High School track (in front of the grandstand), continue through Nags Head Woods Maritime Forest and finish at the track.  The course is partly on a dirt road and is walker-friendly.

Click for the 8K & 5K Course Map

Buccaneer 5K presented by Kelly Hospitality Group 
An out-and-back course (part of the Outer Banks 8K course), which begins at First Flight High School (FFHS) track in Kill Devil Hills, enters and returns along Old Nags Head Woods Road, and finishes at FFHS. 

Click for the 8K & 5K Course Map

Outer Banks Fun Run, presented by Kelly Hospitality Group
Click Here for more information about the Fun Run

For more information or to register, visit www.outerbanksmarathon.com