The ninth annual TowneBank Outer Banks Marathon and Southern Fried Half Marathon are the highlights of a three-day event enjoyed by runners from 48 states and eight countries. Total registered participants usually number over 6,500. Planned each year by Outer Banks Sporting Events, the marathon is one of four annual fundraising events supporting economic development during the shoulder seasons while benefiting the local Dare Education Foundation and the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.
Along the course runners enjoy the Outer Banks at its best. Sites to see include the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, a maritime forest in Nags Head, Jockey’s Ridge sand dune and a sweeping view of the sound and the Pirates Cove Marina as runners cross over the Washington-Baum Bridge to Roanoke Island. The runners are cheered on throughout the day by hundreds of enthusiastic Outer Banks residents and volunteers. A festive post-race block party in downtown Manteo completes the weekend.
The TowneBank Outer Banks Marathon is a Boston-qualifier and the 2014 North Carolina USATF Marathon Championships. This race is also the final event in the 2014 Endurance Magazine North Carolina USATF Long Distance Running Series. Runners have been competing at various distances, from 1 mile to marathon, and on various terrains, from flat roads to mountain trails, since the first race in March. After TowneBank Outer Banks Marathon the series champions will be crowned in open and masters divisions for both men and women.
