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OBX Marathon Runner Comments
Back to OBX Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 4.3
Number of comments: 183 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
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Rob Klein from Aurora, Colorado
(11/12/2009)
 "Run With the Pirates!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 OBX Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon had so much going for it. The expo was in a community center in Kill Devil Hills, and was quite large. I arrived about 10:00 a.m., and it was already overrun with people. Parking was hard to find, but it all worked out. The starting line was in Kitty Hawk, near the intersection of Highway 158 and Woods Road. Parking was available at the school across the highway. Other parking options were available - from Wal-Mart and Manteo - with shuttle service. The start was at 7:20 a.m., which is an unusual time. So we needed to be paying attention. There was a runner cap for this race, but I never heard if it sold out. The half marathon was the second half of the marathon course, so the marathon start line was not as crowded with this set up. The starting line routine was unlike anything I have seen before. They lined up the runners in groups (by projected finish time); then they let the groups go one at a time. Each successive group had to wait a minute or two until they were released by the timing folks. I am not sure what purpose this served, unless there was a potential to overload the timing computer. This method just meant that there was a bigger gap between gun time and clock time. Again, it all worked out fine. The early part of the race was on country roads. Just past Mile 3, we were running on a paved trail that gave way to a beach road in a residential area with Albemarle Sound to the right. That was scenic. From Mile 4 to Mile 7, there were lots of folks out cheering for the runners. About Mile 8 we were running along side of First Flight Airport (with no chain link fences). Turning the corner there was the Wright Brothers Memorial. We circled about 2/3 of the monument - a huge sand dune - then crossed a field and entered another residential area. About 9.5 miles in, the road turned to dirt and entered the woods. We were on a kind of clay and sand dirt road. Part of it was packed down and part of it was more like gray beach sand, so it was a bit of a challenge. And this road was a series of low profile hills. At mile 12.5 we turned off the dirt road on to a trail through the woods. A half-mile later we were out of the woods, at the midway point of the course. Here we entered Nags Head, and were running on Highway 158. We had a couple of detours into residential areas, but otherwise we stayed on the highway until reaching Roanoke Island. While running along Route 158, traffic - restricted to one lane - was backed up and going very slowly. The bridge to Roanoke Island was the endurance test for this race. It was huge, and you could see it coming. I just kept my head down and ran as much of the bridge as I could. Just like that we passed mile marker 23 and were heading down the other side. The traffic backup continued until mile marker 25, where we turned toward the town of Manteo. At mile marker 26 we turned another corner, going down the stretch and were almost home. Some wise guys put up a sign there that said, " Short cut" with an arrow pointing straight ahead. Very funny. The Outer Banks really plays up the pirate theme. That was fun. The race was well organized from start to finish. There was Hammer Gel available at four aid stations, from about mile 9 to mile 22. There were several first aid stations along the way. There was water and Gatorade throughout the course, and cheering aid station workers. Fan support was outstanding, and near the best of what I have seen. The town of Manteo (finish line) kind of got overrun with people, and some local merchants said they had trouble being able to get to their shops and stores. The finish line routine was typical: Bananas, apples, sandwiches, water and more Gatorade. Even nearing five hours, there were still a lot of people in the streets and finish line area. A band played for the folks about a block away. Restaurants and shops nearby looked pretty busy. This was a fun race; it was mostly flat, well supported, and it was a PR record for me. But when I started, my objective was just to cross the finish line. The PR was just an added blessing on this very good day. One last thing: The medal had a pirate skull and cross-bones on the back of it. How cool! | |
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J. G. from Chapel Hill, NC
(11/11/2009)
 "Worth the trip!" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 OBX Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a fun event. The race was well organized, and the volunteers were first rate. Water stops were well staffed, well equipped, and smoothly run. Most of the course is great. I loved the trail section, which offered shade, scenery, and a welcome break from the pavement. Most of this off-road section is well-compacted and fairly wide and does not need to be feared! After being spoiled by a pretty flat course, the bridge felt longer than it really is, but that's Mile 23 for you, right? And without the bridge, we wouldn't have the amazing finish in downtown Manteo! The post-race party in the streets of this great little waterfront town was a blast. The perfect weather was a nice bonus, too. | |
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Neil Mandel from CT, USA
(11/11/2009)
"Well organized, great spectators, nice first half" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 OBX Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I really enjoyed the first half of this course, which went through some pretty residential areas, along some bike paths, around the Wright Brothers Memorial and even on three miles of trails. The second half was a bit tedious, being mostly on the main highway with no shade. I think it would have been better if this had been an out-and-back course, which would also eliminate the need for the shuttle bus back to the start. Overall, a very good event that was well organized with great crowd support. | |
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J. B. from Fishers, IN
(11/10/2009)
"I'll Be Back" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I could not have asked for a better place to become a marathoner. The course was diverse and challenging. The trail portion was demanding, as was the Washington Baum Bridge at mile 23. The spectators were simply wonderful and the organization was flawless. I plan on making this race an annual event for me and my family. | |
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L. A. from Florida
(11/10/2009)
"Great event!" (about: 2009)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well organized event. The pirate theme was perfect, and the town/businesses were so welcoming to the runners. I did not like the portion of the course through the woods (loose sand, tree roots, narrow trail, some mulch, and rolling hills for three miles), but it in no way took away from the overall weekend. I would recommend this marathon to anyone looking for a first or 100th! | |
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J. J. from Fort Bragg, NC
(11/10/2009)
"Scenic run. A must-do!!!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 OBX Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This run was gorgeous and we had great weather! The expo was well organized and packet pickup went smoothly. I switched from half to full and I had a volunteer walk me right to where I needed to go, making sure I was taken care of. The town is all about this race, as it brings in a crowd during the off-season, and the course spectators were great. The course was relatively flat, except for a few small hills on the wooded trail and then the bridge, but even that wasn't horrible. Water, Gatorade and gel stations were well stocked throughout the course. Great race, and I will definitely be back! | |
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E. M. from Omaha
(11/10/2009)
"One of the best I've done" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 OBX Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 What a great experience! Make sure you go a day or two early so you can enjoy the beach, the Wright Brothers Memorial, and the seafood. It was a top-notch event, and the organizers did a fabulous job. I managed to PR, but that's not a given on this course, with a hilly dirt road early in the race, and a monster bridge near the finish. The course offered a scenic view over a varied route. It was rarely boring. The towns supported the marathon more than I've ever seen. It seemed like every business had a sign out welcoming runners to the area, and people came out of their houses and lined the streets for a majority of the race. My only suggestion is that the aid stations be spaced closer together. It seemed like forever before we hit the first station, and then they just didn't come often enough after that. They weren't sparse by any means, but seemed spread too far apart to keep our thirst quenched. Also, I'm gonna start docking "Organization" one star each time the race has an official prayer at the start. Organizers shouldn't assume the runners want a Christian prayer, or any prayer at all. Leave the religion in the churches. I'm a 50-stater, and always appreciate the marathons that remain god-neutral. But those are pretty small concerns. This was a great marathon in a great piece of America. | |
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A. M. from midwest
(11/10/2009)
"Awesome" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 OBX Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my ninth marathon... and maybe the best. It had great organization, and the organizers are always improving. I finished a 4:45 and there was still Hammer Gel during the race and beer at the end (a complaint from prior years). It's scenic with only a few small hills. The first 13 were in the woods with minor hills, running some on trails. The last 13 are in the direct sun, flat, and on asphalt... like so many other marathons I've done. This marathon is truly spectacular, and the area is amazing. I would absolutely recommend it. | |
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j. e. from wrightsville, pa
(11/10/2009)
"beautiful, sunny, mostly flat, friendly" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If I were only doing one marathon and not concerned about a PR, I would do this. The packed dunes and bridge were a challenge, but otherwise flat. It was so friendly, and well staffed; the weather was a little warm because there was no cloud cover. | |
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M. W. from Irvine, CA
(11/10/2009)
"Outstanding OBX!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 OBX Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Great course! First 10K were on roads along the water, and through residential areas where lots of people had come out of their homes to cheer! Miles 9-13 were the best, through the gorgeous and lightly rolling trails. Even the stretches of highway were manageable - flat, and only lasting about a mile at a time before we were taken to more beaches and estates. But watch out for the killer bridge at mile 23 - everyone was walking that thing, but it was worth it to see the water glistening on both sides, and we were still making better time than the cars! Beautiful and majestic place to run overall! More aid stations might be a good idea for water, but there was tons of energy gel, and the stations out there were quite fun, with enthusiastic people and lots of pirates! This was also the best race I have seen in terms of medical support - the BioFreeze, Tylenol, and sunscreen were very helpful! Pre-race was easy to get to, and post-race was amazing, with such friendly people and a festive atmosphere! Got a visor and cool towel, plus delicious and plentiful food, music, and revelry! A must-do! |
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