HalfRuns
Outer Banks Marathon

Outer Banks Marathon

The Outer Banks Marathon Weekend offers a fast, flat course on North Carolina's historic coast.

Race Date

Nov 8, 2026

Location

Manteo, NC

Standout73

Quick facts

Date
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Location
Manteo, North Carolina
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 26.2M
Course
Point to Point
Terrain
Road
USATF certified
Yes
Finishers on record
33,412

Highlights

Good For

PR FriendlyDestination Worthy

Atmosphere

Local CommunityWell Organized

Course

Fast Flat

The Experience

The Outer Banks Marathon Weekend, first run in 2006 and now in its 18th year, draws runners from across the nation to the historic shores of North Carolina. This event is celebrated for its fast, flat course, a certified route designed for personal bests, with a slight net drop and significant start/finish separation suggesting a point-to-point journey.

Runners typically experience mild coastal weather, with average temperatures ranging from 57-69°F on race day. The course winds through the unique landscape of the Outer Banks, offering a scenic backdrop to the challenge. While the field size has seen a recent trend of shrinking, averaging around 449 finishers, the event still attracts participants from approximately 28 states.

The race is a testament to the dedication of its organizers, Outer Banks Sporting Events, who aim to promote healthy lifestyles. With a repeat-runner loyalty of about 13%, it's a destination that appeals to those seeking a well-organized race on a potentially fast course, set against the backdrop of a storied coastal region.

Race-provided description

Outer Banks Sporting Events aims to organize sporting events and competitions, promote healthy living lifestyles and provide financial resources.

Logistics

Race Day

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Start Time

TBA

Start Location

Manteo, NC

Directions

Course Info

USATF Certified

Course Type

Point to Point

Terrain

road

Scenery

Coastal

Surface

Paved

Difficulty

Ultra-Flat

Net Drop/km

+0.09 m

Separation

40.6%

Also Offers

26.2M

USATF Certified Course

NC17014BW · Outer Banks Half-Marathon

Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change.

Quality Score

Standout73
Methodology
Heritage20/20

18 years running

Size14/15

~526 finishers a year

Momentum0/5

shrinking

Loyalty13/20

13% returning runners

Course & details10/15

USATF certified · 5 photos

National draw9/10

runners from 28 states

Front-pack speed3/5

winner 1:17:48

Weather5/10

typical high 69°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

57°

Afternoon (High)

69°

Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish

0.1"

Precipitation

15 mph

Wind

73%

Humidity

Historical Finish Times

How 33,412 finishers actually crossed the line across 18 years.

Most recent

2024

Total finishers

33,412

Median time

2:16:28

Latest turnout

449

States

51

10%
25%
75%
90%
0:45p50 median ≈ 2:157:40

Turnout by year

20162024

'16'17'18'19'20'22'23'24
See full results

Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.

Race Photos

Frequently asked

When is the Outer Banks Marathon?

The Outer Banks Marathon is held on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Where does the Outer Banks Marathon take place?

It takes place in Manteo, North Carolina.

What distances does the Outer Banks Marathon offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 26.2M.

Is the Outer Banks Marathon course flat and good for a PR?

The Outer Banks Marathon is a ultra-flat, point to point course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.

How many people run the Outer Banks Marathon?

HalfRuns has finish records for 33,412 runners who have completed the Outer Banks Marathon.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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