The Outer Banks is at sea level, and the Flying Pirate Half Marathon point-to-point course is mostly flat. Within the Nags Head Woods Nature Preserve, elevation change includes some rolling terrain and two moderate hills. Outer Banks runners make this Preserve’s trail and roads a frequent location for their training. …
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The Outer Banks is at sea level, and the Flying Pirate Half Marathon point-to-point course is mostly flat. Within the Nags Head Woods Nature Preserve, elevation change includes some rolling terrain and two moderate hills. Outer Banks runners make this Preserve’s trail and roads a frequent location for their training.
Begin your journey in historic Kitty Hawk, home to the birth of aviation. This part of the course is flat, but don’t run so fast that you miss the incredible Outer Banks scenery. After just a few miles you’ll be greeted by the real Outer Banks – the people who make up this warm, close-knit community. Feel the energy boost as they applaud your run down residential Bay Drive.
At mile 8, you’ll run along the base of the famous Wright Brothers Monument, marking the location of the first flight that took place on December 17, 1903. Look up and you are sure to see planes flying overhead. You’ll be running where powered flight began! Just two miles down the road, yet another surprise is in store. Around mile 10, you’ll enter the Nags Head Woods Nature Preserve. This lush maritime forest will amaze you with its understated beauty, and you’ll experience the excitement of trail running along a mulched, dirt road within this unique ecosystem.
No one said this was going to be easy! At about mile 12, you’ll leave Nags Head Woods on a narrow trail with off-road conditions of mulch, sand, and dirt. NOTE: Here is the final course elevation before crossing the Finish line. Look up and catch a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean! Take in the beauty of this awesome maritime forest and give yourself a pat on the back … you made it! Now it’s party time!
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Good, not great
I didn't think the race was greatly organized and one man was pretty rude at our packet pickup. The weather definitely put a damper on the after party, however the … MORE
I didn’t think the race was greatly organized and one man was pretty rude at our packet pickup. The weather definitely put a damper on the after party, however the course was great and the hype women dressed as pirates handing out medals were the best! I love the shirt, bandana and the pirate medal is my favorite. All and all we had a good experience, just a little less than stellar. Plan to give it another try next year.
Didn't seem very organized
Of course I know the weather we had (lousy...cold and rainy) might have had a lot to do with my feelings regarding the race but there was one older man … MORE
Of course I know the weather we had (lousy…cold and rainy) might have had a lot to do with my feelings regarding the race but there was one older man in the group who was not pleasant to deal with. We also didn’t have clear information about when and where things were.
Flat as a pancake
Given I live at 5100', I was planning on this being a great showing since it's at sea level. Unfortunately, I had a horrible cold so this ended up being … MORE
Given I live at 5100′, I was planning on this being a great showing since it’s at sea level. Unfortunately, I had a horrible cold so this ended up being a struggle-fest. The expo was tiny but friendly and informative. The start line was small with only 2 corrals that they pre-seeded you in. The very beginning of the course was gravel which I hate but that gave way to pavement for a bit, then hard pack dirt through a nature preserve. You do a short out and back south, and then you are back at the start where you do a lap around the school track before you jump on a bike path through the woods and then into a neighborhood. Really lovely course that is flat as a pancake the entire way. after about 8.5mi you double back to towards the start but then turn and run into the Wright Brothers National Monument site and around the actual monument. That was a nice way to finish. The medals were nice and there was a whole festival at the end but unfortunately I felt awful from my cold so didn’t participate. Under different circumstances, this could easily be a PR course.
Outer Banks Sporting Events is top notch
I love the OBX races and the Flying Pirate did not disappoint. It is a great course with multiple terrains and great views. It is well supported by the locals. … MORE
I love the OBX races and the Flying Pirate did not disappoint. It is a great course with multiple terrains and great views. It is well supported by the locals. The swag is good and it is just generally a great time. I will definitely be doing this race many times to come.
One of the better Halves in NC
EXPO was the best I have attended. I liked the optional Double Dare challenge. SWAG could have been a bit better. (Getting a pullover for the challenge would have been … MORE
EXPO was the best I have attended.
I liked the optional Double Dare challenge.
SWAG could have been a bit better. (Getting a pullover for the challenge would have been nice)
Disappointing that the challenge awards did not go three deep
The age group awards were underwhelming.
Finishing medals were nice for both races.
After party was not as active as advertised. I think this was due in large part to the weather.
The timing for both races had issues and seemed to be the biggest headache for the event. I appreciated the hard work the volunteers put into things considering the weather the day of the half.
Finally……the 5k needs to be better planned as to allow those who desire to run with effort to not have to dodge people who are there to be “social” runners. It is a annoyance to spend the last half mile or so running side to side to avoid the “gang” of party goers who are 7-8 abreast across the road!
Fun Fun Fun!
Everything was smiles and giggles until mile ten.. You go into a wildlife preserve and it's gravel, uphill, trail, sand, downhill nightmare until the end! Swag was a bag of … MORE
Everything was smiles and giggles until mile ten.. You go into a wildlife preserve and it’s gravel, uphill, trail, sand, downhill nightmare until the end! Swag was a bag of coupons.