Outer Banks Running & Fitness Events - 2026 Schedule

The Running of the Leprechauns was the original idea of Mike Kelly and hosted at Kelly's Restaurant & Tavern, every St. Paddy's Day weekend since 2008. This fun, green and grand race Started and Finished on site at Kelly's Restaurant, and this years' 5K & 10K courses are virtually the same as in the past, just altered slightly to start and finish at nearby Satterfield Soccer Complex in Nags Head. All Finishers earned medals and enjoyed Irish Stew and Guinness beer at Mike's restaurant while sharing their running triumphs with their friends.

Not for the faint of heart, the Blackbeard's Revenge 100 is a relatively new event that first launched in 2019, and which will test the strongest athletes from the Outer Banks area and miles beyond. Covering a lengthy coastal course that extends for 100 miles, this scenic but tough race will push athletes to the limit as they head from the northernmost beaches of the OBX all the way down to the southern tip of Hatteras Island.

Put on your best eyepatch and get ready for a fun and engaging race that traces the steps of some of piracy’s most notable characters. The Ocracoke Island Scallywag 5K/10K/half-marathon is an annual running event on Ocracoke Island that attracts fitness fans of all ages and abilities, and which takes the village by storm via a fun and engaging course that’s close to the shoreline.

Come and enjoy a scenic run through some of the prettiest terrain that the central Outer Banks has to offer with this race that has been going strong for more than 35 years. The Annual Nags Head Woods 5K Run is a great running event that falls on Mother’s Day Weekend, and which features plenty of reasons to put on your sneakers and hit the road, and the sandy, wooded trails.

Put your running, jogging and even hiking abilities to the ultimate test via this race that may be short, but which features one of the highest climbs that the Outer Banks has to offer. The Killer Dunes 2-Miler & Fun Run features one of the most unique courses on the coastline, and includes a unique challenge of climbing the dunes that are located within the Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

Get your Thanksgiving off to a fun and active start with this event that combines a little fitness with a world of exceptional brews. The Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile is a great Wednesday precursor to the Thanksgiving Day feast, and it entails a drink-and-run course that beer lovers and runners alike will enjoy to the fullest.

Start a Thanksgiving holiday by participating in one of the Northern Outer Banks’ favorite traditions – the Annual ADVICE 5K Turkey Trot. This event which is now in its 30th year in 2026 attracts visitors and locals alike who want to run, walk or “trot” before diving into their afternoon Thanksgiving feast.

Get your Turkey Day celebration off to a fun and fast-paced start with this annual event that is quickly becoming a highlight of the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Surfin' Turkey 5k and Puppy Drum Run is presented by the Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund (HIYEF), and is a great opportunity to support a favorite local cause while enjoying miles of fun in the heart of Hatteras village.

Start your Thanksgiving Day with a little action before you start digging into the turkey feast with this annual run that features a family-friendly course, and plenty of ways to explore the local Outer Banks communities. The Outer Banks Running Club OBX Gobbler 5K & Fun Run is an engaging and scenic trek through the Village of Nags Head which is open to runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages, and which is sure to be a great kick-off to Turkey Day for everyone in the crew.