My husband and I enjoyed this race, and relaxing on the beach the day after wasn't half bad, either. The race organizers did well, and the community support was outstanding. I lost count of how many people thanked us for coming to run, and brought music, cheering, and extra food and water to the course.

Race pickup and loot: very smooth packet pickup. The medal is cute, but I was especially happy that the women's shirt was a women's sized technical-cloth tank top. I already have a collection of too-big cotton Ts, so this was a nice surprise.

Shuttle and start: there was only one from Manteo at 5:45, and I got cold waiting an hour at the start afterwards because there wasn't much shelter there. However, I should have checked the weather and brought a few more extra layers for waiting around in, and the shuttle was convenient and spared us considerable hassle. The start was a wave start, and with 900-odd runners, there was no congestion, and not much waiting at the porta potties or gear check beforehand.

Route: interesting and varied route with a tailwind much of the way. A mile of the route was too spongy for my taste, but that was just one mile, and the other hilly wood portions were on a great dirt road (the same sort of thing I mostly train on, so it gave my legs a break from the asphalt). I didn't like as much the straight boring portions along the highway: they seemed very long, especially the bit just before the bridge, LOL. The bridge itself was ok...it's not as bad as it looks from afar, and by mile 22, it's just slower, not any more painful. ;)

I would say that the course is mostly fast...there's just the bridge and the spongy mile in the woodsthe other hilly portions weren't bad at all. I was 10 minutes too slow for the hoped-for BQ, but most of that was due to starting out too fast. Even despite being cold, and despite trying to establish a conservative pace, letting people pass me, etc, I found the initial flat (slightly downhill?) terrain, tailwind, and crowd support rather too inspiring. It was fun, though, and not too horrendous paying for it later, and it's the sort of thing that a more experienced marathoner would avoid.

Someone else mentioned the mile markersno clocks! I liked that too. I wear a stopwatch that I can look at if I want to.

Water stations and portapotties: no waits, no complaints. The volunteers were excellent.

Post-race area/party: best one I've been to so far. six beers and a great crowd and a bunch of friendly volunteers helping runners take off timing chips, handing out medals, foil blankets, beer, etc....it was very nice to have such personal attention after running 26.2 miles. I wasn't hungry, so didn't pay heed to whatever food they had. The post-race party had a nice lawn to stretch out on during the awards ceremony. My husband wisely booked accommodations in downtown Manteo, so it was a short walk back to our quarters.

At any rate, it was a great race experience, thanks to the race organizers, superb volunteers and locals. Thanks!!

The absolute best race - we all LOVED the spectators, and the incredibly friendly atmosphere! The course was absolutely GREAT, the air is the best you can breathe (unlike in some other races), and I got my absolute PR here - probably from the adrenaline generated by all the cheering! I personally love the Outer Banks/waves for kiteboarding, and I was delighted to enjoy that part of them. Hurrah, OBX, and thank you all - I will be back for years to come!

Everything was top-notch! The wave start helped make the beginning smooth, the community spectators went all out decorating the course, the course was well marked with plenty of volunteers keeping you on course, there were plentiful well-stocked aid and medical stations, and there were plenty of friendly, knowledgeable volunteers....

There are just so many positive things to say: a community that really welcomes the runners, a shuttle bus system that runs flawlessly, a festive expo, and a truly amazing first 13 miles - beautiful, varied, and without the exhaust of a single passing car!

If you want to treat yourself, do this marathon!

Course was great. Ran through neighborhoods with good crowds sheltered from the wind for first 10 miles. Miles 10-13 take you on a packed dirt road and a short mulch trail; this section has gently rolling hills. Miles 13-21 take you back out in the open, mostly on main road. Miles 21-24 are across several bridges, including one high-rise at 23. The finish takes you into town of Manteo. It was a little challenging for spectators to get from mile 22 to the finish; limited roads forced spectators to go a long way to finish area (about 30 minutes), where there was limited parking. Helps to bring along a driver for your fans! Aside from that, it is a great destination, and the people were awesome. I highly recommend this one if you want to run a good time and have a good time!

Very friendly people. My wife and I ate pancakes for my carb loading and met some of the people that worked at Stack'em High Pancake House. One of the gentlemen asked my name and said he would remember for the next day at Mile 12. Sure enough, he remembered my name and cheered like a wild man! The trails and bridge were tough but that's what it's all about.

This was a great marathon all the way around, highly recommended. I can't believe this is only the second year, some of the larger races could learn a few things from you guys. The crowd support was wonderful, expo had everything you could want and more, volunteers were the best, plenty of aid stations, water, gel, and of course free beer at the end will always bring runners.

Thanks Outer Banks residents and businesses for hosting a very good marathon. I really enjoyed the course and the community support.

For anyone considering this marathon for next year, I encourage you to sign up and do it. The course is very scenic, especially the first half which winds through secluded neighborhoods, around the Wright Brothers' Memorial, and through Nags Head Woods. The volunteers and spectators were very supportive and encouraging.

I found the course to be very fast. It is relatively flat with two exceptions: the trail through Nags Head wood was unexpectedly hilly, and I had my slowest mile split there; and the bridge at mile 23. The weather was almost ideal: upper 40's, lower 50's with a good tail wind out of the north. I set a personal best and Boston qualifier here.

I look forward to returning in the future.

This was my 24th marathon/20th state and favorite so far. The varied course and the perfect amount of 'corner turning'/change of venue was what made the race great....running through Kitty Hawk village and the area along the water was calming, circling the Wright Brothers' monument was awe-inspiring, the woods were great, the bridge was beautiful...the spectators were so friendly and helpful. The kites/parasails at the finish were a great thing to propel me forward and I loved seeing the kites from a distance and thus knowing EXACTLY where the finish was.

I really felt the OBX community wanted us there and they seemed to know just the right things to say to inspire usso impressed with the people who came out (have never experienced that kind of warmth at a marathon!). The spectators were actually *thanking* the runners for coming to OBX and they really sounded like they meant it!!!!

The medical tents were unique and wonderful. It was comforting knowing medical had a presence. All aid stations were strategically and perfectly placed; I never felt that awful desperate marathon feeling of not having my needs met. I utilized the vaseline and the power gel often. The occasional music was wonderful and

I really, really enjoyed having the visual mile markers without someone barking out the mile times. We all have watches if we need to know our times. The EXPO was awesome (easy in and easy out). The shuttles ran very smoothly. The host hotel was great. Awesome, awesome job, OBX.

The runners were really, really friendly and great to talk to. Congrats on your first, Peter Greeno!!!!

It was a great race last year, but was even better with good weather this year. The technical shirts for the men were lacking - too small, especially around the neck - and I really think the winner of the full marathon should receive a purse that at least equals that for the winner of the half (not that it will ever affect me!).

I had always wanted to visit the Outer Banks and this race provided both the opportunity for a visit at a less-crowded time of the year and a chance to run a marathon in North Carolina. In summary, this marathon exceeded my expectations in every respect.

Reasons to run OBX include: 1) A very well-organized and professional race administrative infrastructure, which resulted in a very smooth and trouble-free experience from registration to packet pick-up through receipt of results. At least for me, everything was seamless, with no hiccups anywhere. 2) Great race shirt that I will wear frequently while training. 3) The best race timing vendor that I've ever encountered - results were posted on the website the day of the race and I received a personalized e-mail the day following summarizing my race time and providing detailed splits. 4) The course provided a bit of variety, some gorgeous scenery, some aviation history (you run right next to where the Wright Brothers took the first flight) and, at least this year, 20 miles of tailwind and perfect race temperatures. 5) The shuttle bus system worked great - which is very important for a point-to-point course like this. 6) Lots of portable toilets at the race start and along the course. 7) Bagels, bananas and Gatorade at the START - a nice touch. 8) TONS of volunteers who were genuinely helpful, pleasant and who seemed happy that we were there. And 9) Free beer at the end. ;-)

There are so many reasons to visit the Outer Banks and the race is at a less-crowded time of the year. This provided less-costly accommodations while also minimizing traffic issues. The locals also seemed genuinely happy that we were there.

I could not have had a more positive experience and I highly recommend this race.