Running & Fitness Events - 2026 Schedule

The Summer Track Series is a family-friendly community running event held throughout the summer at the First Flight High School track in Kill Devil Hills. Designed as an “all-comers” meet, the series welcomes participants of every age and ability level, from young children and first-time runners to competitive athletes and experienced racers. The informal, old-school format emphasizes fun, fitness, and community spirit while providing an opportunity for runners to test themselves in a variety of classic track events.

Run Hatteras Summer 5k/1 Mile Race Series 2026 AVON, NC. 8 AM Friday Mornings Summer 2026 in Kinnakeet Shores. New this year: Join us for a shorter distance on the out and back 1 Mile course

Join us Friday, July 3rd, 2026 for the SUN Realty Freedom 5k/1 Mile - 7:30 AM and Little Sparkler 1/4 Mile Fun Run - 8:10 AM!

The Barrier Island Group’s annual “4 on the 4th” race is returning to Avon this summer for another festive celebration of community spirit, island pride, and Independence Day fun on Hatteras Island. Scheduled for Friday, July 3, the popular event invites locals and visitors alike to lace up their running shoes for a scenic four-mile run or walk through the Kinnakeet Shores neighborhood, along with a special 1,776-foot dash designed just for kids.

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Unique finisher medals and t-shirts to all participants.  Race Start/Finish in front of the Historic Mansion at The Whalehead Club in Corolla.

The Summer Track Series is a family-friendly community running event held throughout the summer at the First Flight High School track in Kill Devil Hills. Designed as an “all-comers” meet, the series welcomes participants of every age and ability level, from young children and first-time runners to competitive athletes and experienced racers. The informal, old-school format emphasizes fun, fitness, and community spirit while providing an opportunity for runners to test themselves in a variety of classic track events.

Run Hatteras Summer 5k/1 Mile Race Series 2026 AVON, NC. 8 AM Friday Mornings Summer 2026 in Kinnakeet Shores. New this year: Join us for a shorter distance on the out and back 1 Mile course

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Unique finisher medals and t-shirts to all participants.  Race Start/Finish in front of the Historic Mansion at The Whalehead Club in Corolla.

Run Hatteras Summer 5k/1 Mile Race Series 2026 AVON, NC. 8 AM Friday Mornings Summer 2026 in Kinnakeet Shores. New this year: Join us for a shorter distance on the out and back 1 Mile course

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Unique finisher medals and t-shirts to all participants.  Race Start/Finish in front of the Historic Mansion at The Whalehead Club in Corolla.

The Summer Track Series is a family-friendly community running event held throughout the summer at the First Flight High School track in Kill Devil Hills. Designed as an “all-comers” meet, the series welcomes participants of every age and ability level, from young children and first-time runners to competitive athletes and experienced racers. The informal, old-school format emphasizes fun, fitness, and community spirit while providing an opportunity for runners to test themselves in a variety of classic track events.

Run Hatteras Summer 5k/1 Mile Race Series 2026 AVON, NC. 8 AM Friday Mornings Summer 2026 in Kinnakeet Shores. New this year: Join us for a shorter distance on the out and back 1 Mile course

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Unique finisher medals and t-shirts to all participants.  Race Start/Finish in front of the Historic Mansion at The Whalehead Club in Corolla.

Run Hatteras Summer 5k/1 Mile Race Series 2026 AVON, NC. 8 AM Friday Mornings Summer 2026 in Kinnakeet Shores. New this year: Join us for a shorter distance on the out and back 1 Mile course

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Unique finisher medals and t-shirts to all participants.  Race Start/Finish in front of the Historic Mansion at The Whalehead Club in Corolla.

Run Hatteras Summer 5k/1 Mile Race Series 2026 AVON, NC. 8 AM Friday Mornings Summer 2026 in Kinnakeet Shores. New this year: Join us for a shorter distance on the out and back 1 Mile course

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Unique finisher medals and t-shirts to all participants.  Race Start/Finish in front of the Historic Mansion at The Whalehead Club in Corolla.

Run Hatteras Summer 5k/1 Mile Race Series 2026 AVON, NC. 8 AM Friday Mornings Summer 2026 in Kinnakeet Shores. New this year: Join us for a shorter distance on the out and back 1 Mile course

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Unique finisher medals and t-shirts to all participants.  Race Start/Finish in front of the Historic Mansion at The Whalehead Club in Corolla.

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Unique finisher medals and t-shirts to all participants.  Race Start/Finish in front of the Historic Mansion at The Whalehead Club in Corolla.

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Unique finisher medals and t-shirts to all participants.  Race Start/Finish in front of the Historic Mansion at The Whalehead Club in Corolla.

Labor Day weekend on Bald Head Island is truly a celebration, and the annual Labor Day Cookout offers a lot more besides a chance to feast on burgers and beachy fare. With corresponding activities and events held all along the island, and plenty of unique attractions to discover along the way, the annual celebration is a prime opportunity to uncover everything this popular North Carolina vacation destination has to offer.

Labor Day weekend on Bald Head Island is truly a celebration, and the annual Labor Day Cookout offers a lot more besides a chance to feast on burgers and beachy fare. With corresponding activities and events held all along the island, and plenty of unique attractions to discover along the way, the annual celebration is a prime opportunity to uncover everything this popular North Carolina vacation destination has to offer.

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Unique finisher medals and t-shirts to all participants.  Race Start/Finish in front of the Historic Mansion at The Whalehead Club in Corolla.

Triathletes train for months to achieve their dream. Come to the Outer Banks Triathlon and experience the enthusiam, inspiration and skill!  Why do they do it? Some to win, some for their best personal time and for some it's a personal goal on their bucket list. Individual athletes and relay teams exhibit various ranges of skill and expertise. The enthusiasm of the athletes is inspirational for everyone at the site whether a volunteer, a spectator or staff. Encouraging and cheering the athletes' onward is a crucial part of the day. It is 2 days of inspiration, excitement, relationships and achievements.

The YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon is one of the nation’s longest-running sprint triathlons and a premier endurance event on the North Carolina coast. Organized by the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina, the annual race brings together hundreds of athletes, spectators, volunteers, and families for a day of competition and community spirit at Wrightsville Beach. First held in 1979 as the Pepsi Triathlon, the event has grown into a regional tradition and is widely recognized as one of the longest-running sprint-distance triathlons in the United States.

The annual Bark in the Park is a playful competition that pits high flying canines of all varieties in a number of competitions that will delight participants and their human spectators alike. Featuring a number of activities, and absolutely free to the public, Bark in the Park is a great outing for family members of all varieties, and especially the furry ones who love to make new friends and show off their stuff at one of the coolest parks in Wrightsville Beach.

The Mountains to Coast Ride offers cyclists a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty and diverse landscapes of North Carolina during a memorable multi-day journey from the mountains to the Outer Banks. The scenic cycling event brings together riders from across the country for an unforgettable adventure that travels through small towns, rural countryside, historic communities, and coastal landscapes before reaching the shores of the OBX.

Have a lot of stamina and want to explore the coastal North Carolina region in its entirety? Then you’ll want to grab your friends and family and sign up for the massive but all-around fun Tuna Run 200 Relay. This relay race that extends more than 200 miles from start to finish takes participants on a fascinating tour of eastern North Carolina, and eventually lands in the heart of the Crystal Coast in the sunny town of Atlantic Beach.

Known as one of the most-watched and most intense competitions in the Cape Fear area and miles beyond, the Ironman 70.3 North Carolina puts athletes of all ages to the test with an incredible course that requires endurance and massive feasts of strength. Featuring a swim, bike ride, and run, this "point-to-point-to-point-to-point" event will wow spectators from all across the Cape Fear region with its incredible course, and incredible athletes who participate.

The Crystal Coast Highland Games is an annual celebration of Scottish and Celtic heritage that brings together athletes, musicians, dancers, clans, vendors, and visitors for a day of culture, competition, and family-friendly entertainment on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Held each fall in Newport, the event showcases many of the traditions that have made Highland Games popular around the world, offering attendees an opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and spirit of Scotland without leaving the coast.

Rapidly becoming a favorite tradition for active Crystal Coast visitors and locals alike, the Emerald Isle Marathon, Half-Marathon & 5K Races are a great opportunity for folks to discover the gorgeous communities and shorelines of Emerald Isle and beyond, while supporting a worthy local cause and enjoying a little competitive spirit in the heart of the Outer Banks.

The Seaside Shuffle 5K is an annual road race that brings runners, walkers, families, and fitness enthusiasts together for a fun and fast-paced community event at Wrightsville Beach. Organized by the Wilmington Road Runners Club, the race is one of the Wilmington area’s longest-running road races and has become a popular tradition for participants of all ages and skill levels. Known for its flat and scenic course, the event attracts both competitive runners seeking personal-best times and recreational participants looking to enjoy an active morning along the coast.

Take in one of the most scenic new routes of the Crystal Coast with this unique fitness event that is celebrating its 7th year in 2025. The Beaufort Bridge Run 5K & 1+ Mile Dog Strut, with its unique course that includes two new bridges, has become one of the most popular races in the region with visitors from all over eastern North Carolina and the country taking advantage of this fun running event that features unparalleled views.

The Beaufort Pirate Invasion is one of coastal North Carolina’s most popular history-themed festivals, transforming the waterfront town of Beaufort into a lively seaport filled with pirates, soldiers, merchants, and colonial-era characters. Held annually in downtown Beaufort, the event celebrates the town’s rich maritime heritage and commemorates the historic Spanish attack on Beaufort in 1747, as well as the region’s connections to the legendary pirate Blackbeard and other seafaring figures.

Ties up your laces and get ready for one of the biggest running and fitness events that the Cape Fear area has to offer! The annual Battleship Half Marathon, 10K and 5K is a popular running event that attracts active visitors from all across the county and beyond, and which provides a perfect opportunity to explore the local landscape of the southern N.C. coastline while enjoying a little competitive fun.

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.

The Pine Knoll Shores Turkey Trot is a popular Thanksgiving Day tradition that brings together runners, walkers, families, and visitors for a morning of fitness, fun, and community spirit along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Held annually at McNeil Park in Pine Knoll Shores, the event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities and offers a festive way to start the holiday before gathering with family and friends for Thanksgiving celebrations.

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.

Runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages and abilities can explore the scenic coastal landscape of Oak Island while enjoying an invigorating dose of activity at the Run Oak Island event. This annual event features a variety of courses that can range from a 1-mile fun run or walk to a full half marathon, which allows active visitors of all ages to get out and explore in a lightly competitive and all-around fun environment.

Athletes of all abilities will want to join in this event which provides a chilly way to celebrate the winter season while supporting a very worthy and local cause. The annual Polar Plunge, 5K Run-N-Plunge, or one-mile fun walk is a great way to experience the stunning Kure Beach shoreline in the off-season months while having a chilly but fun time embracing an inner superhero.

For more than 10 years, runners from all across the country have stormed the beach for this annual event that presents a great opportunity to explore all the gorgeous waterfront scenery that the Cape Fear coastline has to offer. The Wilmington Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifying event and an USATF-certified qualifier, and features a fun and unique course that starts at the beach and which uncovers all the cool landmarks and landscapes that are found in this coastal corner of North Carolina.

Celebrating its 23rd year in 2027, the annual St. Patrick’s Low Tide Run is a great way for visitors and locals to explore the coastal Carolina Beach scene while ringing in the holiday with a little active fun on the sand. Officially known as the “Steve Haydu St. Patrick’s Low Tide Run,” in honor of two amazing men whose paths crossed on Carolina Beach, this annual run features costumes, cool views, and beautiful terrain throughout, as well as plenty of ways to celebrate.

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.

Discover some of the prettiest terrain that Sunset Beach has to offer with more than 600 runners from all across the region and the country with this annual running event that puts the small town of Sunset Beach on the map. The Run Sunset Beach event features a variety of races that range from a mile-long Fun Run to a half marathon, and which boasts some of the most scenic courses that coastal North Carolina has to offer.