I have run OBX beginning with its inauguaral year of 2006, then 2007 and 2008 and then back again in 2016 but not by design. I was supposed to run Richmond but due to an unexpected death in the family the week of the marathon had to find a marathon on Sunday and OBX was the only race open.

I've run OBX 4 times now and what I can tell you is that it has continued to fade with the increase in other marathons that weekend (Richmond, Charlotte etc) and I know why. The crowd support is basically non-existent anymore and running on the bypass along side cars sucking in exhaust is not pleasant.

The course is not flat as you may think. You run through a hilly wooded section from miles 8-13 and its exhausting. Then you have the dreaded Manteo bridge for miles 22-23 and its a killer. To make matters worse, after you come over that exhausting bridge you have no crowds to help cheer you on.

The swag is very nice. They give you a nice tech long sleeve shirt and this year they also gave a runners hat as a finisher. Didn't get to the expo but it is small.

All in all, they really need to change this course. Get out of the woods, run some on beach road or take it up into Duck/Corolla because the course is quite boring and with no shade it gets hot.