Flying Pirate Half Marathon

Flying Pirate Half Marathon

Flying Pirate Half Marathon

( 9 reviews )
100% of reviewers recommend this race
  • The Outer Banks,
    North Carolina,
    United States
  • April
  • 3 miles/5K, 13.1 miles/Half Marathon
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Courtney

North Carolina, United States
1 3
2016
"A small race with big heart! "
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Courtney 's thoughts:

This was my first time running the Flying Pirate although it had been on my list for quite some time.

I did not attend the race expo as I had heard (from other BibRave reviewers!) that it was small and I have been to quite a few expos lately, so I had a friend pick up my packet (I do so appreciate that this option is offered!). The race website provided clear instructions to provide a copy of my driver's license and a letter granting her permission to pick up my bib, and she reported no difficulties in picking up my packet on my behalf.

This is an out-and-back course, and runners can choose to park at the start or finish with shuttles provided either way. I thought the shuttle transportation (by schoolbus) was wonderful! I chose to park at the start (at a very spacious shopping center parking lot), and although the starting line was probably only half a mile away, it was nice to hop on the shuttle and not have to worry about how to get there. There were plenty of port-a-potties available at the start (we all know how important this is!). There was a DJ playing music and making announcements (I do wish he had made just a few more announcements about how long there was to the start, as I completely lost track of time although that's my own fault). The race started on time and the corrals were clearly marked (although not enforced, but it's not a crowded race at the start so that's not too much of a problem).

While this race may only have about a thousand or so runners, you will feel as much excitement from the crowds as if you were running in a big city race! The course is a bit different from what you might expect on the Outer Banks- there are beautiful stretches along the sound and you run around the Wright Brothers Memorial- but you never actually see the ocean during this race. But the scenery is still beautiful, and the crowds are so excited and supportive... until you enter the woods at the end of the course and all falls silent. The terrain on the trails is manageable but I have to say as a first time Flying Pirate runner I underestimated the hills! The race website said there was "one point of course elevation" but there were actually multiple hills during the last several miles. The trails on these hills were narrow and it was difficult to pass other runners who needed to walk on the steep hills. I will say it was VERY exhilarating to run that steep downhill to the finish, although my legs were so weak by that point I was nervous I was going to fall since the footing was very sandy.

This is a great race, but if you are looking for a PR you are probably not going to get it here due to the hills and narrowness of the course. I am a middle-to-back-of-the-pack runner so I don't pass very many people generally, but found it hard to do so as the course was so narrow at the end. I also would have loved some more aid stations- it was a very warm day and I regretted not carrying my own water. I think the race would also benefit from having more course officials on the trails- a fellow runner stumbled on a root and took a nasty fall and although he turned out to be just fine, there were no officials in sight to assist.

I don't care very much about race swag, but I have to say the medal for this race is pretty awesome! (See picture below) We also received short sleeve technical shirts, running hats, and an ID/card holder to stick on the back of your phone. I actually appreciated this small piece of useful swag, partially just because it was something new and different I've never received at a race before!

I also appreciated that they had a results tent set up at the finish where they would print off your time for you. I tend to get more than a little absent-minded after a race, and don't run with my phone, so it was nice to have the piece of paper to refer back to.

I was pretty disappointed by my race photos, however. Some of the photos were taken at an aid station so not only am I drinking water in my picture but the whole shot is full of discarded cups. I found this bizarre given that there are so many beautiful areas of the course. There were also photos taken at the Wright Brothers Memorial but I found the angles to be strange and the photo timing to be a bit off. The finish line photos were taken from quite a distance, and the online proofs were so heavily watermarked I couldn't tell if I might actually want to purchase any of them (hence why the only picture I'm attaching is of my medal).

I loved that there were breakfast sandwiches at the finish line! It was so nice to be served morning-appropriate food. I did not partake of the post-race beer but others seemed very happy with it, and there was a festive feeling with a band and cornhole at the finish line party. I had to get back home to other commitments though so hopped back on the shuttle (very quick and easy!) back to my car and was on my way.

Overall, I thought this race was well organized, and would definitely run it again. I just won't choose it for a PR goal race in the future, and will train some more on hills before returning in 2017! I think the best part about it is the crowd support when you run through residential areas, but it made the quiet of the trails at the end seem a bit lonely.

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