Outer Banks Sporting EventsFlying Pirate

The Outer Banks Flying Pirate Half Marathon is 13.1 miles of scenic beauty through the beautiful landscapes of Coastal North Carolina! We look forward to 2022 to race live with you again! 

The next Flying Pirate Half Marathon happens April 23-24, 2022. Registration opens September 1, 2021. Stay tuned for more info.

Course Description:

The Outer Banks is at sea level, and the point-to-point course is mostly flat. Within the Nags Head Woods Nature Preserve, elevation change includes some rolling terrain and two moderate hills. Outer Banks runners make this Preserve's trail and roads a frequent location for their training.

Begin your journey in historic Kitty Hawk, home to the birth of aviation. This part of the course is flat, but don’t run so fast that you miss the incredible Outer Banks scenery. After just a few miles you’ll be greeted by the real Outer Banks – the people who make up this warm, close-knit community. Feel the energy boost as they applaud your run down residential Bay Drive.

At mile 8, you’ll run along the base of the famous Wright Brothers Monument, marking the location of the first flight that took place on December 17, 1903. Look up and you are sure to see planes flying overhead. You’ll be running where powered flight began! Just two miles down the road, yet another surprise is in store. Around mile 10, you’ll enter the Nags Head Woods Nature Preserve. This lush maritime forest will amaze you with its understated beauty, and you'll experience the excitement of trail running along a mulched, dirt road within this unique ecosystem.

No one said this was going to be easy! At about mile 12, you’ll leave Nags Head Woods on a narrow trail with off-road conditions of mulch, sand, and dirt. NOTE: Here is the final course elevation before crossing the Finish line. Look up and catch a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean! Take in the beauty of this awesome maritime forest and give yourself a pat on the back … you made it! Now it’s party time!
 

Two-Person Relay: Run the Half Marathon as a Team

• Register Online Today – Sorry! No race day registration is available
• Register as a team of 2
• Receive a combined team time at the finish line-no split time
• Runner #1 starts at regular Half Marathon Start (Woods Road) with the baton
• Runner #2 starts at approximately mile 6 (Bay Drive and West Fifth Street). Here there will be a hand-off zone marked on the west/right-hand side of the road. Please know an approximate arrival time of your Runner #1 and look out for him/her. The Team baton must be carried by one of the team runners at all times from start to finish, that has your team timing chip!
   

Logistics

The best scenario is for Runner #2 to be dropped off at Bay Drive and Fifth Street. Bay Drive is the race course, and all side streets that intersect Bay Drive will be blocked. Discuss and prepare for the approximate time Runner #1 will take to get to mile marker 6 from the 7 a.m. start. Runner #2 should arrive at the hand-off point with plenty of time to look out for Runner #1 wearing the same bib number.

Access this relay hand-off zone from Hwy 158 and West Fifth Street in Kill Devil Hills. Runner 2 should be dropped there where Fifth St. intersect with Bay Dr.  The relay exchange is across Bay Dr. from that intersection. If not being dropped off, parking will be available at BB & T bank at Hwy 158 & Fifth St.  Walk to Bay Dr. is approximately .6 miles

Runner #1, if your car is not nearby, we will have a shuttle come through and take you to the Finish/post-race party to meet your teammate. A shuttle (Shuttle Purchase Required) will come by Fifth Street and Bay Drive at approximately 7:40 and 8:40 a.m. only.
 

Costume Contest

Participate in your best pirate-themed costume and win! Judges will be Mile Marker Sponsors and Bike Marshals who will be on the lookout for the best dressed in a pirate theme costume.
 

Half Marathon Runner Drop Off

Kitty Hawk Elementary School
16 Dogwood Trail
Southern Shores, NC 27949

From N. Croatan Highway/U.S. Highway 158 in Southern Shores, turn onto Dogwood Trail. Turn right into the Kitty Hawk Elementary School parking lot. Runner drop-off is at the school and a short walk to the Start.

Gear Bag Services for Half Marathon Runners

Bring a change of clothes with you to the Start and UPS will have your bag waiting for you at the Finish! Use the tear-off label from your race bib to I.D. your bag (ties are provided at the EXPO). Please use a closeable bag, such as a small duffel bag, cinch sack or backpack. Keep the size to 16”X 20” or smaller.

There is a large changing tent available at the Finish. This is located next to the YMCA.

Runner Tip: If you are wearing warm-up gear at the start of the race, be prepared to utilize the gear bag service. We are not responsible for clothing or personal items left or forgotten, and all such items will be discarded or donated.
 

Shuttle Service for Half Marathon Runners

• Runners utilizing the shuttle service (Shuttle Pass Required) should arrive at their shuttle pick-up location at least 10 minutes prior to the first scheduled departure. Arrive early to make sure you get on the shuttle and arrive at the Start on time.
• Park near the Start at Walmart, 5400 N. Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949. Shuttles to the Start run every 10 minutes beginning at 5:50 a.m. The last shuttle from Walmart to the START is 6:30 a.m.
• Park near the Finish at Pirate’s Quay or Nags Head Elementary School. Take a shuttle to the Start.
• Shuttles depart from Pirates Quay/Nags Head Elementary School every 10 minutes beginning at 5:30 a.m. The trip time from the Finish to the Start is approximately 30 minutes. Allow yourself enough time to park and walk to the Shuttle area prior to the trip.
• The last shuttle to the Start from Nags Head is 6:15 a.m.
• There is one shuttle after the Start begins to take spectators back to Walmart parking and the Finish parking areas. It leaves the Start at 7:15 a.m.

Half Marathon Parking at the Finish

Pirate’s Quay Shopping Center
3022 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head

Nags Head Elementary School
3100 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head

Central Square
2910 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head

Nags Head Professional Center:
103 and 106 W. Woodhill Drive, Nags Head

Awards & Results

We will recognize the Overall & Masters 1st/2nd/3rd. Age groups will be announced. Race results for the Flying Pirate Races will be posted here once the races are complete and all data has been reported, submitted, and sorted.

Get past race results here!

Many thanks to our sponsors