The annual “Run Oak Island” event will be held on February 13th, 2021.

This is Presidents Day Weekend AND Valentine’s weekend this year which makes a perfect 3 day weekend to travel to the beautiful North Carolina Coast.  Offering a Full Marathon, 2 different Half Marathons, 5K, and 1 Mile we have something for the entire family.

REGISTRATION is now open for Run Oak Island – February 13th, 2021.  Please CLICK HERE to register for the race!

Arriving:

Due to the ever-changing environment surrounding Covid-19 our start and finish will look a little different this year. Please give yourself ample time to find parking before your specific race start. We ask that you stay in your car until you are ready to start your event to cut down on crowds and gathering.  Each event will offer an elite heat with and exact start time.  All other participants in that same event will have an extended window of time to cross the starting line after elite runners have started.

Parking:

Most parking is between 46th & 50th St. on Oak Island Dr.  We will have several volunteers along the road assisting with the parking in approved areas – please follow their direction.  You will want to come onto the island and use the following address: 4601 E Oak Island Dr, Oak Island, NC 28465

It is ok to park on the side of the road as long as all 4 tires are off of the road, you are not blocking any driveways or roadways.

Updated Start Times:

• 6:45 – 7:30 Full Marathon & East Half Marathon with the Elite Heat starting right at 6:45 and everyone else using a rolling start.
• 7:30 – 8:00 West Half Marathon with the Elite Heat starting right at 7:30 and everyone else using a rolling start.
• 8:00 – 9:00 5K with the Elite Heat starting right at 8:00 and all others using a rolling start.
• 10:00 – 10:15 1 Miler rolling start.

During Race:

Safety is our #1 priority.  While we work with local authorities and DOT to shut down as many roads as possible, a portion of the courses is open to vehicles so it’s important to be aware.  We discourage headphones and no dogs, bicycles, or scooters are allowed per USATF sanctioning, and anyone without an official race bib will be asked to leave the course.  Follow our directional signs, volunteers, and law enforcement – they know the course and where you need to be running.

Post Race:

We will have a DJ playing some good tunes and at this time we still hope to be able to serve Beer & BBQ.  Awards for Top 3 Overall Female/Male, Top 3 Overall Female/Male Masters, as well as age groups (every 5 years) for Full Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K Female/Male runners.  Although we will not be able to host an official awards ceremony – we will post a time for each event when you can begin picking up your awards.  Please be patient with us, with the rolling starts this will take some time to compute.  *Must pick up your award while at the event – we do not ship them!

Important Reminders:

Masks On At ALL Times – Unless you are out on the course running.

• Must wear your mask once you get out of your car and until you begin your race.
• Must put your mask back on before you cross the finish line.
• Stay Social Distant at all times – our ability to have future races depends on you cooperating!

No ID = No Beer

Arrive early – you don’t want to miss your start

Overall Awards are by gun time and Age Group Awards are by chip time.

Bring your bib and pre-race hydration

Your Safety Is Our #1 Priority

1. Packet Pickup:  These will be moved outside.  In some cases, we will be able to have a drive-thru style (in which you don’t get out of your car) and in others, it will be walk-up in the open air. We’ve double the normal hours and limiting the participant cap.  All of this allows for fewer people picking up packets on 2/12 at a time.  Physical distancing and masks are required and enforced.
2. Additional Packet Pickup Options: We’ve allowed for people to have their packets shipped (+ a small fee to cover shipping) or picked up at a location in Myrtle Beach to reduce participants coming to packet pickup for each event. *There Will Be No Race Day Registration or Packet Pickup Allowed.
3. Race Cap Limit:  We’re setting limited participant caps for each race and event.  We base these on the current executive order allowing 12 people per 1,000 sqft in sporting fields and parks as well as limitations each town permits.
4. Masks:  These will be required by all and strictly enforced.  With several pre-race communications and race day “Safety Ambassadors”, we will ensure everyone has a mask on at all times while not running on course.  Our protocol for previous races has been mask on at all times while not running – this includes in the start corral before you begin running and before you cross the finish line into the finisher chute.
5. Physical Distancing:  This will be required and enforced at all times around our start/finish area and after party area.
6. Safety Ambassadors: We will have and equip 3 safety ambassadors to be around our start/finish area and after-party area to enforce everyone wearing masks and keeping a distance.  They will have a megaphone and signs.
7. PPE:  All volunteers and staff will be required to wear proper masks (and gloves where necessary)
8. Signage: We will have dozens of signs reiterating masks and distance requirements.  We ask that all participants please follow these mandates so that we can continue putting on fun and safe events.
9. Start/Finish Coral: We’re transitioning to a start “window” with an “elite heat” kicking off the race and everyone else safely distancing during a time-frame immediately following.  Our “Safety Ambassadors” will be stationed with signs to enforce masks and distancing.  We’ve also adjusted our finish corral to use half of the lane and keeping our start line open for this longer period of time.
10. After Party Physical Distancing:  We are purposely spreading out the position of the portajohns, BBQ, Beer and access to our start corral to encourage physical distancing by participants.  So when you get to the race and portajohns are in one far corner, bbq is across the field and then beer is a little further away – this is intentional.  Don’t be mad, it’s in effort to space everyone out.
11. On-Course Hydration:  Participants need to be self-sufficient on hydration and we’ll only be able to provide refueling stations.  These will be every 3 miles on course and allow for a zero-touch zone by volunteers.
12. Hand Washing Stations:  These will be placed by the Port-a-Johns near the start/finish area.
13. Virtual Option:  If for any reason you don’t feel comfortable running with us on race day, feel you may have come in contact with someone who has Covid-19 or have any symptoms at all – we have removed any fee and are allowing for a free option to remove yourself from the race and run virtual at no charge, no questions asked.  Stay home, run anywhere/anytime, and receive your race swag at your door.  *We usually charge to make any changes to your registration because, to be frank, it affects operations, logistics and the race financially in ways most don’t understand.

There will be ZERO exemptions to the rules above.  We want to put on a fun and safe event where everyone feels comfortable.

Register Here