I picked this race for NC because I saw the medal and t-shirt online and fell in love. And the medal did NOT disappoint! It's the biggest one I have, … MORE
I picked this race for NC because I saw the medal and t-shirt online and fell in love. And the medal did NOT disappoint! It’s the biggest one I have, and this is 1/2 marathon #15/50.
The race PRODUCTION for this race was great. Great communication from the race team. Very well organized and the volunteers were wonderful. I appreciated them very much. There was plenty of water stations along the course. Could have used a few more porta-potties at the start/finish.
Very small EXPO with just a few vendors so if you forgot anything you could grab nutrition. Great SWAG if you wanted extra to remember the race. AFTER-PARTY had beer, BBQ and music. Not huge, not small. They did start packing up very quickly which was surprising. People were still finishing, and they were taking down fences and the tables. Ran out of bananas and did not have much water.
The COURSE left me a little disappointed. Since it was along the ocean, I hoped to see more, well, ocean. But I only caught maybe 2 glimpses of the ocean because the area is so built up with homes/condos. The neighborhoods were nice, and the homes were beautiful, but I did miss the ocean. Mostly flat with 2 hills over the bridge. There is very little to do in OCEAN ISLE beach, but Myrtle Beach is about 45 minutes away and there is tons to do there if you are going to stay for the weekend.
Overall, I was happy with the experience and def. love my medal! Would recommend this race.
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Great Race for NC
I picked this race for NC because I saw the medal and t-shirt online and fell in love. And the medal did NOT disappoint! It's the biggest one I have, … MORE
I picked this race for NC because I saw the medal and t-shirt online and fell in love. And the medal did NOT disappoint! It’s the biggest one I have, and this is 1/2 marathon #15/50.
The race PRODUCTION for this race was great. Great communication from the race team. Very well organized and the volunteers were wonderful. I appreciated them very much. There was plenty of water stations along the course. Could have used a few more porta-potties at the start/finish.
Very small EXPO with just a few vendors so if you forgot anything you could grab nutrition. Great SWAG if you wanted extra to remember the race. AFTER-PARTY had beer, BBQ and music. Not huge, not small. They did start packing up very quickly which was surprising. People were still finishing, and they were taking down fences and the tables. Ran out of bananas and did not have much water.
The COURSE left me a little disappointed. Since it was along the ocean, I hoped to see more, well, ocean. But I only caught maybe 2 glimpses of the ocean because the area is so built up with homes/condos. The neighborhoods were nice, and the homes were beautiful, but I did miss the ocean. Mostly flat with 2 hills over the bridge. There is very little to do in OCEAN ISLE beach, but Myrtle Beach is about 45 minutes away and there is tons to do there if you are going to stay for the weekend.
Overall, I was happy with the experience and def. love my medal! Would recommend this race.
Fun Fall race for big bling
Ran this as part of the 3 race series in 2024. Of the 3, this was my favorite course. The start line location is near parking and retail which makes … MORE
Ran this as part of the 3 race series in 2024. Of the 3, this was my favorite course. The start line location is near parking and retail which makes it very convenient. The course itself is flat apart from the intercoastal bridge but the Ocean Isle bridge just didn’t seem as bad as Sunset or Oak Island.
Shiny bling and great shirt design!
North Carolina makes State #34
The BAM race series does such a nice job with the production of the races. I did not get to attend the expo as I got stuck in traffic driving … MORE
The BAM race series does such a nice job with the production of the races.
I did not get to attend the expo as I got stuck in traffic driving down from Maryland, luckily, they offered race day pick up. The only swag was a race shirt. Again, not sure if there was more at the expo.
Parking was a breeze-it’s a field right next to the start line-literally yards from the start line. This also starts in the Lowe’s grocery store parking lot so if you want a real bathroom and to warm up-they open at 6am.
The weather was absolutely perfect! About 60 at start time with a breeze.
The whole race production was smooth-water stations perfectly placed and loved that the stations alternated Gatorade flavors. All volunteers were super friendly and pleasant.
On the course, it is pretty flat with the exception of the climb over the bridges. First time is before mile 1-great positioning. On the way back, you hit it around mile 10 which is a killer. You really don’t see the ocean all that much, you mainly run through neighborhoods. So much is under construction so construction port a potties were abundant. The other thing to note is around mile 4.5 you need to run through rocks for about a 1/3 or so of a mile-maybe a bit longer-certainly felt longer. They were deep rocks as well so you slide around versus gliding on top.
The race was not super huge but not super small either. The finish line production was smooth-you are also given a free beer and free food ticket. Not sure where the beer was but the bbq was pretty good.
Given that my parents live about an hour away from here, I will definitely participate in the BAM series again.
Best Course to Get a PR
Coastal Race Productions take great care to ensure the runners are cared for on all measures. The medal is HUGE, the race support stellar and the course...GLORIOUS! Sure there is … MORE
Coastal Race Productions take great care to ensure the runners are cared for on all measures. The medal is HUGE, the race support stellar and the course…GLORIOUS! Sure there is a bridge to run but it is a short one and you get a great view of the water. The entire course was fast and filled with cheering spectators. Absolutely a MUST to run and will be on my list of faves that I will run every year!
Great Race!
Fun race! Great scenery, cool trucker hat and huge metal. Great BBQ and beer at the finish. I loved running through the neighborhoods. Really cute beach homes all colored in … MORE
Fun race! Great scenery, cool trucker hat and huge metal. Great BBQ and beer at the finish. I loved running through the neighborhoods. Really cute beach homes all colored in different colors. Water and gatorade stations were well placed. Course was well marked. Will do it again.
You will love Run Ocean Isle!!!
The volunteers are awesome! There are beautiful views of the intracoastal waterway at the start, beautiful homes and then the ocean as you come into the last couple miles. Plenty … MORE
The volunteers are awesome! There are beautiful views of the intracoastal waterway at the start, beautiful homes and then the ocean as you come into the last couple miles. Plenty of water/Gatorade stations. Great BBQ and beer at the finish. The race organizers are amazing and quick to respond to any inquiries. It’s just a great overall race experience!
Great Fall Race-cooler weather, great ve
Awesome medal, great camaraderie, race starts just as sun is coming up. Enthusiastic volunteers; well-organized race. Half marathon takes off in one direction and the 5K starts 15 minutes later … MORE
Awesome medal, great camaraderie, race starts just as sun is coming up. Enthusiastic volunteers; well-organized race. Half marathon takes off in one direction and the 5K starts 15 minutes later in the other direction- good logistics. Finishers wanted to hang out at the finish!
Great opportunity to PR!
Pancake flat. Small town feel! Loved going over the bridge at sunrise and running beside the beach (not on the sand, though- cause PR!). Coastal Race Productions does a great … MORE
Pancake flat. Small town feel! Loved going over the bridge at sunrise and running beside the beach (not on the sand, though- cause PR!).
Coastal Race Productions does a great job & I appreciate swag that isn’t a t-shirt (we got hats!)
Weather was great! Volunteers awesome!
Finisher medals are always great! It’s better to run/ walk with friends. Take deep breaths and enjoy the views! What a great excuse to come to the beach! Everyone/volunteers are … MORE
Finisher medals are always great! It’s better to run/ walk with friends. Take deep breaths and enjoy the views! What a great excuse to come to the beach! Everyone/volunteers are always nice & friendly! Don’t forget the after party furan awesome time.
Nice small production
Loved staying in Ocean aisle and walking out our door to this race. The race is smaller but the start is kind of crowded. The route is not really scenic … MORE
Loved staying in Ocean aisle and walking out our door to this race.
The race is smaller but the start is kind of crowded. The route is not really scenic and has lots of turns. Running through neighborhoods was fun as lots of people came out to cheer.
Really very flat course except the bridge but that was quite short.
Not much race swag but such a fun large medal. Beer and bbq was plentiful at the end.
Nice finish to the entire BAM series
Get there early enough for parking and avoiding the bridge being closed. Nice time of year for the beach. Not too hot or crowded. Once your back over the bridge … MORE
Get there early enough for parking and avoiding the bridge being closed.
Nice time of year for the beach. Not too hot or crowded.
Once your back over the bridge the rest of the course is flat with some nice beach scenery.
Next years BAM medals are crazy. That alone is enough to get in on this series.
Great job by the organizers, especially Ms. Johnna and her daughter. They make a great team. Thanks to the volunteers for their assistance.