I ran the 2012 Outer Banks Marathon this year and it was pretty amazing. Thankful and grateful to…read morebe able to travel and run marathons in my solo bid to run marathons in all of the 50 U.S. states. The Outer Banks Marathon is a 26.2 mile journey that starts from Kitty Hawk, NC and eventually ends up in the town of Manteo on Roanoke Island. This race is a relatively small race, which boasts its destination due to it being in the Outer Banks and just the small town nature of the area.
I arrived here the night before after completing the 2012 Richmond (VA) marathon that day. Driving 3 hours after rocking 26.2 miles ain't real fun, but you gotta do what you gotta do, especially when you have traveled such a long way to do what needs to be done. The Outer Banks Marathon's organization was great and the volunteers were excellent in cheering on everyone, especially those at the back of the pack - like me. The course weaved through the sleepy rural area of Kitty Hawk and winded slowly south bound to Manteo. Along the way, runners were treated to the beauty that was the Outer Banks, especially with picturesque views at mile 6. The trail at miles 10-12 were not particularly my cup of tea, so that was just a bit of miles that I had to overcome and conquer to complete the marathon and claim North Carolina for my states collection.
I particularly liked the aid station at mile 12, which served up banana bread, just before that wicked, but short uphill stretch within the trail section of the course. That really hit the spot when my stomach started to grumble for food. The only thing that I didn't like about the course was the vast stretch of the South Croatian Hwy heading towards Manteo. I know you do need 26.2 miles of road, but I found it to be quite tedious on that stretch, especially when it's mid day and the only thing keeping you mentally sane is the fact that the finish line is where it all ends and you'd get a finisher's medal for completing the course too. The course winds into 2 subdivisions from mile 13.1 through 25, each with about 2 miles a piece. I thought those houses over there were pretty nice and maybe I could move there when I am old, gray, and a bit senile too. But I am far from that anyway.
The aid stations were adequate and I do love the volunteers enthusiasm, especially when I get those motivation and inspirational comments, since I told them about me running my 50th marathon that morning in the Outer Banks. I still continue to love those "omg you ran that many marathons?" reactions when I tell them. It's one of those things that makes me wonder if I have 50 more marathons left in me to reach 100 marathons (and beyond). Time will tell, but I am glad that I made this trip to the Outer Banks this year and finished the marathon for my 50th lifetime and 30th state. Thank you to the marathon bike support personnel, who guided us and provided aid to us whenever we needed it. I even pleaded to one of those bike patrol personnel, who was named Kit, to please not close down the bridge @ mile 22, since I am from Hawaii and NEED TO COMPLETE THIS MARATHON to check off North Carolina!!!! I'm glad that everything worked out alright and did cross that finish line.
The special thing that happened at the finish line, where a friend of mine and fellow Marathon Maniac and 50 State Marathoner from NC, screamed out loud to those nearby (volunteers and others) that it was my 50th marathon and I am from Hawaii, as I crossed through the finish line and into history. I heard applause and that was always a special thing to reach a milestone. Thank you to you, Scot Barco for doing so (if you ever read this Yelp post)! With that said, this marathon is great. I love the small town atmosphere and I loved being in the Outer Banks. Wish I stayed longer though. Great race. Recommended if you are in the area.
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