
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
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
Atmosphere
Course
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.
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Point to Point
Terrain
road
Scenery
Coastal
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
+0.09 m
Separation
40.6%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
NC17014BW · Outer Banks Half-Marathon
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change.
Quality Score
Standout7318 years running
~526 finishers a year
shrinking
13% returning runners
USATF certified · 5 photos
runners from 28 states
winner 1:17:48
typical high 69°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (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
Turnout by year
2016–2024
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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