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Apr 30, 2024

OBX Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.3

Organization 4.5

Spectators 4.3

Number of comments: 183 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

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J. T. from Tennessee (11/11/2015) "Great low-key race" (about: 2015) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon. I had picked this one 5 years ago when I first started thinking of running a full. I think this was the perfect first marathon for me. It was very well organized and not so big to feel overwhelming. The trail portion had more elevation change than the bridge at the end and was the most difficult part of the course in my opinion. All the spectators were incredibly friendly. The race is very well supported with porta-johns almost every mile and water every other mile. I am so glad I picked this for my first marathon. It is a beautiful low-key event. If you need to be constantly jockeying for your position and thrive on the cheers of the crowds, this might not be the race for you. I thought it was nearly perfect!
M. B. from Tampa, Florida (11/10/2015) "Nice low key marathon with lots of course supplies" (about: 2015) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 COURSE: The course is relatively flat with the exception of the bridge at the end and a little elevation in the trail section. Speaking of which, I was not expecting three miles of quasi-trail running in the woods. I didn't mind it, I just wasn't expecting it. But the course has nice variety, the best parts probably being running around the Wright Memorial and the Virginia Dar Bridge. A nice community - spectators were sparse but friendly and enthusiastic. To me the best part was the abundance of course supplies. Water stops and portatpotties just about every other mile after mile 3, 4 Gu stops and Gatorade at possibly 6 or 7 spots. The half marathoners began halfway down the course and actually started 20 minutes earlier so the full marathoners were completely separate from the runners doing the half. EXPO: The Expo was OK - about what you would expect for a marathon with only ~1000 runners. Unfortunately we got some bad information about the road closures from a well-meaning but not fully informed volunteer but luckily we were able to find an actual information desk and got it sorted out. One nice thing about a smaller expo/race, though is you get in and out quickly with no hassles picking up the packet. ORGANIZATION: For the size of this race it seemed very well organized. As I mentioned, plenty of portapotties and other course support. There was a bag drop run by UPS. I didn't use it but it seemed to be going well. The course is a point-to-point and they had multiple shuttle services to get people around. They seemed to work well for the most part. One nice touch is that runners had the choice to either park near the start and get a shuttle back to their cars after the race or park near the finish and get a shuttle up to the start line before the race. SWAG: We got a nice T-shirt, finisher's medal, finisher's hat and logo pint glass - more than I expected. POST-RACE PARTY: It looked like there was a lot of great food and beer, and there were bands as well. Pretty good for the size of the race. I never feel like eating after a run of much over 10 miles so I didn't try any of it, but folks seemed to be enjoying it. In summary, I would recommend this race. The weather was perfect, it was a nice low-key marathon for me to re-introduce myself to marathons (I ran one previously, but it was 17 years ago). It would be a good first time race if you aren't the type that needs lots of spectators cheering you on.
P. F. from Virginia (11/8/2015) "Vacation Destination with a Hometown Atmosphere" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This could be a hot, sunny course considering the location. Instead with the detours into wooded areas and neighborhoods, there was canopy and diversion. Quite often the wind was to our backs. It is a good plan to schedule this marathon in November. Special kudos to all of the course marshals who dotted the course wearing identifiable yellow bibs. Remote areas of the course had fan support and extra beverage stops. For anyone with a medical emergency, there was a superb medical tent at the end of the course. A friend needed an x-ray after a fall. The tent had a machine and gave her a CD to take to an orthopedic surgeon in her city - free of charge! Medical stations were prevalent along the course.
M. O. from new york (6/13/2015) "Disappointing experience" (about: 2014) 3 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The Outer Banks are one of my favorite places on earth. This course really picks some of the ugliest parts of the OBX to run through: strip malls, new housing developments, and you won't see the ocean until the very end when you cross the bridge. The crowds were small but they cheered. Some of them did not understand marathon running: brownies, cookies, beer were all offered. The trail portion was pretty rough, largely because I am slower 4:45 and it was like running on dunes by the time I passed through. The only food at the end of the race when I finished was a pulled pork sandwich. Bananas, bagels all gone. And the shirts are kind of lame, but the visor is nice.
H. J. from Cincinnati, OH (11/12/2014) "Perfect conditions and course - I will be back!" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Just got back from running the 2014 OBX marathon and will definitely plan on heading back. We had wonderful conditions (50s, cloudy, slight tailwind) and I thoroughly enjoyed the course - PRed by 6 minutes! It is a nice, flat course (for the most part) that takes you to the other side of the Outer Banks that you don't typically see. Despite the long stretch down 158 on the second half, I thought the course organizers did a great job of mixing it up and sending us back into gorgeous neighborhoods so I didn't mind 158 at all - it was actually quite nice to spend a couple miles on it and get into my groove. As mentioned in other posts, the 3 miles of trails were a little rough - beautiful scenery but I fell off my pace by about 30 sec/mile (from 7:40s to 8:10s). I also didn't mind the bridge, it wasn't as along as anticipated and there were plenty of portalets and water along the route. The spectators were a little sparse, but the scenery more than made up for it. Great race!!
J. K. from Washington, DC (11/12/2014) "Great race; not a PR course" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The positives: efficient organization; awesome finish area; plenty of medical support; beautiful place. The negatives: miles 10-13.1 was on a trail that was at first sandy then rocky then hilly, forcing a field of 1000 into singletrack; aid stations not at regular intervals. The bridge that so many talk about was fine. Yes, at mile 23 it was a challenge, but a good one, IMO. The trail portion, though, really slowed the field down; and it sapped a bit more energy than those miles should have. It was basically a cross country course, which is not what I want nor expect when registering for a road race. Other than that, it is a nicely organized event in a beautiful place. I would only run it again if they changed the course.
S. S. from Virginia (11/10/2014) "half-trail, half-road race" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course was (for the most part) great...but if I'd wanted a trail marathon, I would've signed up for a trail marathon. The first part of the trail (packed gravel) was fine; the second part was hilly and loose dirtdifficult to navigate and slowed a lot of people down. Otherwise, great course. Crossing the bridge is more mental than anything, but its placement (mi 23) certainly makes it a challenge. If it had not been for the 3 miles of dirt trail, I would've set a 3-5 minute PR. As it was, I matched my previous PR. It is also kind of demoralizing to see the finish line MILES before you actually get to it-the first time it's visible (you see the bridge) is mile 16, and then mile 18. Great spectators, good scenery-my only complaint is the 3 miles of dirt trail. Because of that, I probably will not sign up for this race again-just not my cup of tea.
k. w. from Newport NC (11/9/2014) "Great race...but trail was rough" (about: 2014) 1 previous marathon \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Will be back next year for the half but the dirt gravel trail is not for us. To many rocks and loose sand.
B. G. from Raleigh, NC (12/28/2013) "Excellent race and course" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 OBX Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is my second OBX marathon - the organization seemed much better this year - excellent volunteers and very friendly. The course was great and very beautiful. The nature preserve and bridge are my favorite spots, although I struggled on the bridge this year. Mateo is awesome and the finish area well-organized. My two complaints 1. The mile marker flags were missing between about mile 15 and 17 - this is a difficult area on HWY 158, so the flags would have been nice to see. 2. It would be great to be able to see the finish line at least 1/4 mile in advance - maybe 1/2 mile. The multiple turns at the finish are not very motivating. Otherwise thanks for a great race and hopefully I be back in 2014.
Marsha Clifford from Medina, Ohio (11/13/2013) "Great Race, Great Course, Great Volunteers" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 OBX Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have ran 60+ Marathons and beyond and I would rank OBX in my top 4! The course was well supported Plenty of Aid! Always a welcome smile around each corner! Even on the trails there were groups of people out there to cheer you on! My husband and I did the Challenge, the 8k Saturday and the Marathon on Sunday BOTH GREAT RACES! Organization for the events was amazing! Way to Go OBX Marathon! We will be back again!

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