How do I register for the Outer Banks Marathon?

Registration is open to everyone and is available online through the ITS YOUR RACE platform. There are no qualifying standards or lottery to worry about.

Is the Outer Banks Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston Athletic Association standards. The qualifying rate is low, so a BQ is achievable but requires a solid race-day effort.

What is the course like?

It's a point-to-point route from Roanoke Island to Kill Devil Hills along the barrier islands. The course is extremely flat with virtually no net elevation change, but wind exposure along the coast can make it tougher than the profile suggests.

What should I expect from race-day weather in November?

Temperatures typically range from the upper 40s at the start to the high 50s by midday, which is comfortable for racing. Wind is the main variable to plan around on this exposed coastal course.

How big is the field?

The Outer Banks Marathon is a small race with a few hundred finishers. The intimate field means minimal congestion and a low-key atmosphere from start to finish.

Where should I stay and how do I get there?

Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, and Nags Head are the closest base options with beach access and dining. The nearest major airport is Norfolk International (ORF), roughly 85 miles and about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive away.

Mon, Nov 9 · 2026Kill Devil Hills, NCSince 2006

Outer Banks Marathon

The Outer Banks Marathon runs point-to-point through the North Carolina barrier islands, where the land barely rises above sea level and the Atlantic is never far away. It's a small, honest race with real PR potential.

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OUTER BANKS · US

Outer Banks

MON, NOV 9

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 2006

The Outer Banks Marathon runs along the North Carolina barrier islands on a point-to-point course that is about as flat as a road race gets. You start on Roanoke Island at Fort Raleigh and work your way north through small coastal towns toward Kill Devil Hills. The course barely climbs at all, and on a calm day with decent conditions it sets up well for a fast effort. The one thing everyone talks about is the wind. You're on a narrow strip of land with the Atlantic on one side and the Albemarle Sound on the other, and if there's a headwind in the second half, it will cost you more than the profile suggests. Pay attention to the forecast the day before and adjust your plan.

This is a small race, and that's part of the appeal. The field is intimate, the atmosphere is relaxed, and you're not fighting for space at aid stations or jockeying for position in a corral crush. Registration is open, so getting in is easy. It's a Boston qualifier, though the qualifying rate is low, which tells you this course rewards good execution but doesn't hand out fast times. Come with a solid base, respect the wind, and you'll have a real shot at something good.

Field size

~327

327 finishers

BQ rate

4%

Below national average

Time limit

6:00

Tight cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:34:03

Andrew Catanese

2023

Women

3:09:06

Jennifer Haiducek

2023

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

55 ft

Lowest point

2 ft

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

This point-to-point course starts at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island and heads through the barrier islands toward Kill Devil Hills. Net elevation is essentially zero, with the highest point just 55 feet above sea level. That flatness is real and it favors aggressive pacing, but exposed stretches along the coast mean wind can be the hidden variable on any given day. There are no significant climbs to force a reset or descents to bank time. What you get is a straightforward effort-management race. If the wind is behind you, it can be a big day. If it's in your face, your splits will lie to you. Factor that in from mile one.

View official course map

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

47°F

High

59°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

November on the Outer Banks usually means a cool morning at the gun and mild conditions through the back half. You'll likely want a throwaway layer at the start, but you'll warm into it quickly. The bigger concern is wind. This is a barrier island, and even a moderate breeze feels like more when you're exposed on an open coastal road. Check the wind direction the night before. A tailwind for the second half is a gift. A headwind is a race within the race.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration available online through ITS YOUR RACE platform.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

RDU

174 mi

from the start

≈ 275 min transferLonger haul

What to expect

Nearest airport is Norfolk International (ORF), about 85 miles away and 1.5-2 hours drive. The race starts at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island. Base yourself in Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, or Nags Head for beach access and dining.

From the Community

2 videos · YouTube

Outer Banks Marathon: A Brutal Day of Running!

Just Run Running

Sub 3 Marathon: 5K Testing Paces | 2 Months Out | Outer Banks Marathon

Colton Brown

Frequently Asked

7 questions

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