The OBX Labor Day 5k is run on the first weekend in September every year by the OBX Running company. The weather is cooling down a bit by this time but it is still humid (it’s always humid, it’s an island). Cost is under $40 and you get a nice OBX tshirt, bib and custom medal. The race is out and back on paved roads with about a half mile of sandy dirt road in the middle. Very flat. Veterans and military discount. All ages, plus there is a 1 mile run and fun run and everyone gets a medal. A fun family event if you are visiting. Fruit cookies and water at the finish, age group awards, chip timed. I recommend it. They run races all year and many weekends in the Summer months so check the website if you are planning a visit.

This 10k race was run by Bishopsevents.com, who run a lot of events in northern Virginia and the Washington DC suburbs. I like the company because the fees are reasonable and they donate 25% of proceeds to charity. This race supported theARC.org, a charity that helps intellectually and developmentally handicapped people. The race was held in Burke Lake Park in Burke, VA. It’s a nice location because there is plenty of parking, there are permanent bathrooms next to the starting line (yay!) and the course is very pretty, running through the woods alongside the lake. The course is out-and back, starts on a paved road and has a mild downhill for about a half mile. Then you transition to the trails which are flat but with enough roots and rocks that you have to watch a few feet in front of you most of the way. I did see a few people with skinned knees at the end. The trails are wide enough to pass and there were some walkers even though it was early in the morning. It gets pretty steamy in August in Virginia so people go out early. They had a water station at about 1/2 mile and at the 3 mile turnaround point, which was adequate. The downhill at the start became an uphill at the end, so you just have to keep that in mind, nothing too steep. They had water and snacks at the end and age group awards, along with a finishers medal for all. You get a nice short sleeve technical shirt also. At the end my Runkeeper had 6.0 miles not 6.1 but no complaints. Overall a nice low key race. Bishops events runs races almost every weekend year round it seems, so if you are in the area, check their schedule.

The Freedom 5k is run every 4th of July weekend by OBX Running Company. It’s in Kill Devil Hills NC, right in the middle of the Outer Banks. Makes for a fun holiday weekend event. All ages participate, and I think they have a 1 mile kids run as well. Price is cheap, you get a cotton t shirt and a very nice medal that you can see at the website link. Veterans and military discount. Parking is easy at the high school, just walk across the street. Chip timed, out and back course with a water station in the middle. Fruit, cookies and water at the end. This is usually pretty full, 5-600 runners because it’s a busy Summer weekend. Really a fun family event. It’s always humid since you’re out on an island, but early morning so shouldn’t be too hot. Some sandy road in the middle, mostly on paved streets though. Well run and fun.