All across the Outer Banks are people doing their best to make a living while still finding time to enjoy this wonderful place they call home. In this edition of Get to Know the Locals, you’ll meet one of them: Debbie Luke, the woman behind Outer Banks Sporting Events (OBSE).
Photo: Debbie, right, presenting a check from OBSE to the OBX Repeaters Club, which helps out with communications during emergencies.
As executive director and race director, Debbie is responsible for almost everything to do with OBSE, and that includes putting on at least four large races a year. Planning, getting permits, dealing with municipalities, promoting, organizing signups, staging, wrangling volunteers, planning after parties and awards – Debbie does it all and more, all the while thinking ahead constantly about the next two upcoming races.
"I've never seen anyone work so hard," OBSE Board Member Kathy Sparrow says of Debbie. "She gives it her all at least 60 hours a week."
In 2023 OBSE is hosting:
Running of the Leprechauns on March 18
The Flying Pirate Half Marathon, 5K, Fun Run and Challenge on April 23
Outer Banks Triathlon – Olympic, Sprint and Aquabike on September 8 and 9
OBX Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K, 5K, Fun Run and Challenge on November 10, 11, 12
OBSE is also working on two new events, which will be announced later.
A 501(3)c nonprofit organization, OBSE is about exercise and promoting a healthy lifestyle, but there’s much more to it than that. Their mission is to provide support for local education and citizens in need, and 100 percent of their proceeds benefit local nonprofit organizations. Funds are distributed through grants to nonprofit organizations that fun healthy lifestyles, educational programs or provide relief for the poor and underprivileged in Dare County. Funds are also used to pay organizations that help work at events, providing needed volunteers to make events run smoothly.
Even when Debbie is not working, she’s out there making the Outer Banks a better place to live. Read on to find out more about this hard-working Outer Banks local.
How long have you lived on the Outer Banks and how did you end up here?
I have lived here for 40 years. I’m originally from North Carolina. I moved here, married and have two wonderful children and one grandson.
What did you do before you were in this business?
I taught health and physical education and coached three sports – swimming, volleyball and track. After that my husband and I opened OBX TRI Sports; we got lucky and closed right before COVID hit hard.
What motivates you to work hard in your line of work?
Well, I love what I do and believe you have to put your all in to make it work.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
The ability to be creative and put on events and work with many different types of people.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Volunteers. We can’t operate without the gracious help of the community. So besides getting the volunteers, it’s making them feel good about what they are doing and really needed and appreciated. The other most challenging thing about the job is the changing of the community; more and more cars and people makes finding places to do events really difficult.
Debbie Luke, on left, helps some little ones across the finish line at a fun run. Photo: Kip Tabb
What is your favorite thing about living on the Outer Banks?
The uniqueness of a barrier island and how close to nature and weather we are on a daily basis. Also the beach, the ocean and the community.
What is your favorite season on the Outer Banks?
Fall when the water’s still warm but the beaches are less crowded.
What do you do for fun?
Spend time with my grandson, read, walk the beach, go out to lunch/dinner with my family and friends, cook and volunteer at my church
What do you do in the off-season?
Enjoy the beauty of the beach and go visit family
What’s your favorite beach access?
Pea Island
Describe your perfect day off.
Going to the beach and spending time with family and friends
Do you see more sunrises or sunsets?
It’s about equal.
What’s one thing you wish more Outer Banks visitors knew?
How important it is to preserve this land
Runners along the sound in Kitty Hawk during an Outer Banks Marathon
Where do you go on vacation?
The mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, Key West and abroad
For a celebratory dinner, would you rather order take-out, go out to eat or cook something at home?
I would rather eat out or have something at home with my family.
What is your favorite local seafood?
Soft-shell crabs and oysters
Do you have any side hustles?
I volunteer at my church
Do you have any pet projects or is there a local nonprofit that you’re passionate about?
I spend a lot of time volunteering at my church on various committees.
What’s one item on your bucket list?
I would like to go to Alaska, Italy, Greece. I would love to take my grandson to Disney World.
Race the Running of the Leprechauns 5K and 10K
Saturday, March 18
This festive St. Patrick's Day-themed race begins at Satterfield Landing Park in Nags Head at 8 a.m. Registration is still available for $45 (5K) and $55 (10K) before March 16 or $50 and $60 the day of the race. The post-race party and awards ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. Everyone who finishes the race gets a medal and overall awards got the top three male and female finishers in both distances. Find more information here or register to run here.
Want to volunteer?
To volunteer for the Running of the Leprechauns or for any other OBSE event, email info@obxse.org.
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.
