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May 20, 2024

OBX Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 4.5

Spectators 4.3

Number of comments: 183 [displaying comments 141 to 151]

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S. L. from Durham, NC (2/14/2007) "ok for an inaugural marathon" (about: 2006) 2 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The crowd was great and despite the rain, many people still came out to cheer the runners on. The course was quite fun, as we got to run through some of the neighborhoods and local attractions such as the Wright Brothers Museum. Running through the woods was nice but it was impossible to overtake people since it single lane for most of the 3-4 miles. That certainly slowed people down significantly. Things that need improvement: 1) Not enough variety of food at the finish. There weren't even bananas and there were only bagels and big pots of peanut butter, and some oranges. 2) The shirt has ended up being what I wear to clean my home, since it isn't a technical shirt and even the cotton is somewhat rough. Also, both half marathoners and marathoners got the same shirt. 3) Mile markers - the mile markers were confusing and there were not enough of them. 4) The finish at the track was not exactly a great idea. I was trying to sprint to finish but had to slow down because there were huge, muddy, slippery puddles.
Danny Swindle from Newport, MI (12/17/2006) "Great Place to Visit and Run" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Pros: Run through the forest was pleasant. Nice area with plenty of scenery. Residents were out cheering. Community was friendly. Plenty of water stops, although the rain made them less necessary. Cons: Wind and rain put a damper on the post-race festivities. I did not attend since I had no desire to stand outside in the cool rain. Short runs on uneven surfaces were a surprise (wood chips and sand). Run over the bridge was tough, especially at the end and with the wind in our faces, but nobody said it would be easy.
Carl R. from Manteo, NC (12/12/2006) "Bad weather. Great marathon!" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A wonderful marathon!!!! It's amazing that this was the inaugural race. Everything was nearly perfect. The only things the race officials need to work on are more port-o-johns at the start, mile markers being more visible and having a few clocks throughout the course. Also, those hills back in Nags Head Woods go against the course being advertised as flat and fast. Like one person commented, they were a surprise and not a good one. And how about finishing on Ice Plant Island (where the awards ceremony was) rather than winding our way through the parking lot of the Manteo H.S. The expo was great for such a small marathon in its inaugural year. I was surprised to see all the running gear available. The course was scenic (the view at the top of the bridge is always pretty), well designed and fun (running by the W.Bros. Mem. was really cool). It was also quite challenging (the hills between miles 8-12 and the bridge). It's not exactly a p.r. course but a great course nonetheless. The spectators were real troopers for coming out in such bad weather to cheer us on. That was great!! All those involved in organizing this marathon (half-m. as well) deserve an A+! It truly was a wonderful, well organized race. I loved it and I look forward to running it next year.
s. x. from Sierras (12/10/2006) "Good race, but not as "flat and fast" as sold" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Overall the race was pretty well organized. The spectators were great. I've only got 3 complaints: not enough porta-potties in general, no sports drink available during race, and the race had some sandy, rolling, hilly trails for 3-4 miles that were unexpected. The last is interesting, but not if you're told that the race is flat and fast by organizers and they never mention the sandy, hilly single track. Overall, I would not call it a "fast" race, as the overall times would indicate.
Seford Olsen from Central Florida (12/3/2006) "Good First Try; Great Place to Run" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was a good first try at a marathon. Organizers got it mostly right - just a few items need adjustment and correction. The course was a good one, with varied surfaces, and vistas. Distance markers were easy to see, even though they may not have been right on the mark. The expo was good. Information was adequate, though not complete. If one did not have a map and knowledge of the area, it was impossible to figure out where the pick-up points were. Also, great medical and police support. Things that need improvement: Need more porto-lets at the start. Waited in line for 15 minutes and had to start late at that. Have Gatorade or something of the sort at all water points. Water alone is not enough. GU at miles 6, 12, and 18. Better baggage check-in/pick-up. Larger numbers or use last name, and also use LARGE pint. Waited in line for 20 minutes to get bag. After-run food needs improvement. Peanut butter sandwich or a bagel with oranges are just not enough. A warming beverage or soup would be nice. The Outer Banks can get cold, especially after a rain. Plan on it being that way. Return shuttles. Have to do it better. Took almost two hours to get to the hotels and the start line. Long trip around Mantao. Other activies were useless, as they were too far away. Also, everything cost something and how many runners carry money? No cotton t-shirt. Keep working on the fine points. Great race.
Patrick Lynam from Arnold,PA USA (12/3/2006) "OUTSTANDING RACE BUT SOME DISAPPOINTMENT" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The OBX marathon course was one of the most interesting I have run (counted about six different surfaces). I found it to be very creative and it kept my interest throughout. I cannot say enough about the volunteers and the people of the Outer Banks for the support that they showed to the runners! Traffic control was outstanding and the bus to the start was right on time and very efficient. Five-star ratings for the course and even higher than five for the people who came out on a less-than-perfect day for a marathon. Now I would like to add my reason for disappointment. First off, there was NO paper registration and everything was done online. The processing fee for online registration was an OUTRAGEOUS $5.19 per entry! My 2nd reason for disappoinment was that my training partner was injured one week prior to the event and tried to seek a deferral or maybe even a reduced rate for next year. He was told it would be looked at by the committee and was NEVER contacted back. My final disappointment was about the awards. I was unable to attend the post-race awards ceremony and e-mailed OBX to see if the award would be mailed. The response was YES, but send a bubble envelope with the postage attached. I am wondering what the $65 entry and $5.19 processing fees were all about. It is not about the money but the principle of the matter! Great course, and nice folks, but if you register, stay healthy and book your hotel early.
Nancy Oates from OBX (12/1/2006) "Great half marathon!" (about: 2006) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Positives: -Liked the peanut butter sandwiches. -Fans were awesome - the best I've seen. Even the UPS guys honked as they took our belongings to the finish line. -Volunteers were great. -Excellent water supply. -Beautiful course. Would be nice to run along beach road instead of the bypass. Negatives: -Not enough food at the finish. -Suggest an assembly line at the food, everyone was packed under the tent to get out of the rain, making it difficult to get to the food. -Need to give out a runner's shirt instead of a cotton T. -Larger and more accurate mile markers. -Although I didn't use the UPS trucks, everyone seemed to be in line "C." Need a better system there - last-name alphabetical seems to work well in other runs.
W. S. from Greensboro, NC (11/21/2006) "Excellent Race!" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was a great race that had tremendous community support and fans along the route. Overall, a great experience. Course: Point-to-point, and very flat, except for the bridge at mile 22-23. The dirt road and trail section were unexpected (only three miles) but were a plus for those of us who like trail running. Very scenic, and would have been even better if not for the rain. Could improve on the last half mile as it snaked through a school parking lot, around school buildings, and finally to the track. Organization: For a first-time event, it was outstanding. Good police support and traffic control. They did need more port-a-potties at the start (about double would do). And I heard the shuttle was difficult and slow. A little light on the post-race munchies too. Spectators: The Outer Banks community really showed up for this one. The rain didn't stop anyone. Excellent!
R. M. from Charleston, SC (11/21/2006) "Great job, OBX, you exceeded my expectations" (about: 2006) 3 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Overall, a great course and race. My comments are consistent with others posted here. Positives: The spectators/volunteers were the best I have seen; the course was beautiful and never dull; the start was well-organized by min/mile pace; aid stations were plentiful (I just drink water so I don't share the complaints about insufficient sports drink). Negatives: There MUST be more port-o-potties at the start and in the first few miles of the course; I may have missed them, but the first john I saw was at mile 9; make the mile markers more visible, as they were easy to miss; it was confusing having some aid stations before/after mile markers (I would pass an aid station thinking it was at a mile post only to be disappointed when I saw a mile marker a minute or so down the road); while the trails would have been nice with advanced warning, they were a complete surprise (hilly and sandy in parts). I recommend this race; it had all the positive features of a well-established race and I am sure the small kinks will be worked out before next year.
D. H. from Oregon (11/19/2006) "Good Inaugural Event" (about: 2006) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 A good first running of this marathon. Mostly well done, but some areas of improvement are needed, as one should expect with any first-time event. The Good: -Expo good for this size marathon -Most of the course flat and fairly interesting -Local residents were terrific in their support -Helpful volunteers -Nice medal -Finish area large enough to avoid overcrowding that occurs in many marathons Some improvement needed: -More porta-potties at start essential -Mile markers were not accurate, particularly near the bridge -Clocks at selected points on the course would be useful -Slippery surface to run on going from the streets to the high school track at the finish -Finish area food could have been more varied, such as including cookies, snack bars, etc. Many of us crave sugar at the finish! -The 3 miles in the woods was beautiful, but the surface needed packing down or other work to minimize the slippery, sandy conditions. The weather has horrible, but weather happens and no one can be held responsible for the torrential rain and high wind conditions. Just be aware that this can occur. All in all, I'd rate this as a well done marathon that has the potential to be an outstanding one with a few improvements. I recommend it.

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