Outer Banks Marathon/Half Marathon

[agrippa]

Has anyone run either of these? I am considering the 1/2, but am concerned that by November it will be cold and windy at the beach. If I did it, the entire family would go because it is a long trip, so cold and windy wouldn't exactly be enjoyable for the kids. Any reviews of the race in general? It looks like fun.

Eta: A link would be helpful. www.obxmarathon.org

[stingsharkruns]

Pinkwillow & I just did the Flying Pirate Half in OBX. PinkWillow did the full in 2010.

motivationalmiles.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/obx-marathon-recap/ --- FULL recap

lifeisbeachykeenblog.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/flying-pirate-half-marathon-arrrrgh-you-ready-to-run-13-1-in-the-rain/ <---- Flying Pirate Half Recap

The last 3 miles of the half marathon have some pretty gnarly hills, and all on trail/packed dirt. So, in the full course thats miles 10-13..

[AARunner]

DH and I ran the half in both 2006 and 2007. We obviously enjoyed it enough the first year to go back the second, but I wouldn't count on the weather being beach-friendly. The second year, especially, was so cold (low 40s, probably) and windy on race morning. Everyone was huddled near the buildings by the start trying to stay warm.

The course is flat, with the exception of the bridge, and had a nice, small-town feel to it.

[pinkwillow]

As Stingshark mentioned, I ran the full marathon in 2010 and we ran the Flying Pirate half marathon together this past April. It's important to note that the Flying Pirate half is NOT the same course as the OBX half. The Flying Pirate is the first half of the OBX full while the OBX half is the second half of the OBX full. The OBX half is easier than the Flying Pirate in my opinion.

As far as time of year, yeah it's chilly. DH and I only went down to the beach to say we went (and we were wearing jeans and coats). We DID have a lot of fun though visiting the Corolla lighthouse and Whalehead Club and Jockey's Ridge. This was DH's first time in the OBX and I've been going every summer since I was an infant. It's more fun in the summer IMO but still enjoyable in November too.