Whether you want to walk, run, jog or stroll, if you want to exercise with a group while raising money for a good cause, you have plenty of opportunities on the Outer Banks this fall. From 5Ks and 8Ks to a half-marathon to Thanksgiving Turkey Trots and fun runs, there is something for everyone from Corolla to Ocracoke, Currituck to Roanoke Island. There's even a Beer Mile for all the Thanksgiving druncles out there.
Get registered and get ready for a great time while moving your feet!
Break the Chains 5K and Pancake Breakfast
When: Saturday, September 28
Time: 8 a.m.
Where: Wanchese Community Building, 295 Old Schoolhouse Road, Wanchese
Benefits: All proceeds go toward local substance abuse prevention.
After Party: Bethany Church of Wanchese is holding a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Anyone is invited to attend the breakfast (not just runners/walkers). Donations are requested with proceeds going to the church’s Haiti Mission.
Register here
Race on the Runway: Tarmac 10K, Flight Deck 5K and Taxi-Trot Fun Run
When: Saturday, October 5
Where: Currituck County Airport, 264 Airport Road, Maple
Benefits: Kids First Child Abuse Treatment Center
Register here
The OBX Dementia / Alzheimer's Walk in Kill Devil Hills raises money for the OBX Dementia Friendly Coalition.
OBX Dementia / Alzheimer’s Walk
When: Saturday, October 5
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: Outer Banks Brewing Station, 600 S. Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills
Cost: This event is free but donations are accepted. A raffle will be held.
Benefits: OBX Dementia Friendly Coalition
Register here.
Surfman’s Challenge 2 Mile Fun Run
When: Sunday, October 13
Time: 8 a.m.
Where: Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station, 23645 N.C. Highway 12, Rodanthe - The race is on the beach
After Party: Race-day breakfast
Register here
Chasing Rainbows 5K
When: Sunday, October 13
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Where: Aviation Park, 102 Veterans Drive, Kill Devil Hills
Benefits: Maternal Alloimmunization Foundation, OBX Mommy and Me, The Chasing Rainbows Foundation
Register here
OBX Half Marathon Weekend – Half, 8K, 5K and Fun Run
When: 8K at 7:30 a.m., 5K at 7:45 a.m., Fun Run at 9 a.m.
Time: Half Marathon at 7 a.m., After Party at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills
Register here
The Dare to Scare 5K takes participants through the woods and along the sound from Wanchese to Manteo.
Dare to Scare 5K and Sweet Treat Fun Run
When: Saturday, October 26
Time: 5K at 8 a.m.; Fun Run at 9 a.m.
Where: 5K begins Coastal Studies Institute, 850 N.C. Highway 345, Wanchese and ends Virginia S. Tillett Community Center, 950 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo. Fun run begins and ends at Tillett Community Center in Manteo
Benefits: Virginia S. Tillett Community Center Annual Toy Drive
Register here
Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile
When: Wednesday, November 27
Time: 11 a.m.
Where: Outer Banks Brewing Station, 600 S. Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills
Details: This is a social run in which you run a ¼ mile, drink a pint, run a ¼ mile, drink a pint, etc. There is an after party. Wear a costume.
Register here
Go Far Outer Banks' Thanksgiving Turkey Trot raises funds for Go Far, a running program in the local schools.
OBX Turkey Trot 5K and Fun Run
When: Thursday, November 28
Time: 5K 8:30 a.m., Fun Run 9:30 a.m.
Where: Pitts Center, 5377 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Southern Shores
Benefits: Go Far Outer Banks
After party: Post-race pancake breakfast
Register here.
Annual Surfin’ Turkey 5K and Puppy Drum Fun Run
When: Thursday, November 28
Time: 8 a.m.
Where: Hatteras Community Center, 56658 N.C. Highway 12, Hatteras
Benefits: Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund
After-Party: Post-race breakfast
Register here
Wild Turkey Thanksgiving Day 5K
When: Thursday, November 28
Time: Fun Run 7:55 a.m.; 5K 8:15 a.m., post race party 8:50 a.m.
Where: Whalehead, Historic Corolla Park, 1100 Club Road, Corolla
Benefits: Local food bank
Register here
Ocracoke Island Turkey Trot
When: Thursday, November 28
Time: 8 a.m.
Where: 1718 Brewing, 1129 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
Benefits: Ocracoke School gym floor replacement
Register here
Holiday Hustle
When: Saturday, December 7
Where: Downtown Manteo
Details: Coming Soon. Stay tuned to barrierislandgroup.com for details.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
