The joy of running the Outer Banks Marathon. Still smiling early in the 26.3 mile journey.A Beautiful Day Greets Marathon and Half Marathon Runners
Combine near perfect conditions with very good runners and the result is some excellent times for the Outer Banks Marathon and Southern Fried Half Marathon held today--Sunday.
The winning time for the Marathon was really fast—2:26:36. That's an average of 5:35 per mile. To put that in perspective, the winning time for the Half Marathon was 1:11:05. That translates to a 5:25 mile—just ten seconds faster for a course that's twice as long.
When conditions are as good as they were today—Sunday—that's what happens.
Although it's called the Outer Banks Marathon, it's really the Outer Banks Marathon Weekend, with activities for the whole family on Saturday and Sunday. How strong the family connections with running are is clear at the finish line for the Marathon and Half Marathon in Manteo. Runners with their kids seem to be everywhere.
That has been what Outer Banks Sporting Events, the sponsor and organizer of the event envisioned when the whole weekend was set aside as a time for families to celebrate running and fitness.
Saturday is very much given over to family events, and they are very well-attended. The diaper dash and one mile fun runs are really about letting the youngest children learn about the joy of running, but even the timed events on Saturday favor younger athletes.
Looking over the leaderboards from the 5K, Southern 6 and OBX 8K it is obvious that teenagers love to run and they are participating.
It was nice to see also that local runners did well this year. The number three finisher in the Marathon was Dillon Pope from Kill Devil Hills. Kate Pullen from Buxton was the top female finisher in the OBX 5K.
Kate was also on the winning Marathon four person team, NE X SW.
The 2019 Outer Banks Marathon Weekend is November 9 and 10, but there is no need to wait that long to visit. Check out Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates listings and stop by the Outer Banks any time of the year.
