EMBRACE THE RACE – RUN OIB
RACE DATE:  10/28/2023

Thank you so much for supporting the 9th annual Run Ocean Isle Beach event this fall that brings 1500 runners and guests from 40+ states to our coastal community that we love.  It’s one of the largest running events around!  You’ve come to the right place to get all of the race day info and traffic that will be affected the morning of the race.

All races take place on roads throughout Ocean Isle Beach island and mainland between 7am and 11:00am.  Runners should be completely off roads outside of these times.

The first race of the day (the half marathon) starts at 7am.
The 5K starts at 7:30am.
The 1 Mile race starts at 8:00am.

All races start and finish off the island in the Lowes Food shopping center with an after party and awards in the parking lot between the Dollar Tree, Lowes Foods and the ABC Store.

The half marathon is 13.1 Mile.  It starts in the Lowes Foods Shopping Center, takes runners through The Retreat & Waterway Cove Communities on the mainland before taking runners onto the island to run the East the West ends of the island. Participants run using one land (the Southbound lane) while officers on both sides manage traffic back and forth in the Northbound lane for roughly 7:15am – 10:15am. Please be patient and plan extra time as there will be delays.

Key Traffic Control To Know:

  • West bound lane of E. First Street will be closed to vehicular traffic (Coning from High Point to Halifax)
  • East bound lane of E. Second will be closed to vehicular traffic (Coning from Winston-Salem to Halifax)
  • West bound lane of W. First will be closed to vehicular traffic (Coning from Beaufort to Clinton)
  • One-way connector streets between E. First and E. Second will remain open including: Monroe, Concord, Newport, Raeford, Leland, & Goldsboro
  • All other cross streets will be closed
  • All other roads will remain open (even with cones in place) until the race has started
  • Causeway Drive will be coned from 2nd St. on the island to Culpepper and from the ABC store to Dunes Blvd (The Retreat Community behind Lowes Foods)
  • The bridge will be managed by officers on each end allowing alternating vehicular traffic in the Northbound lane from 7:10 – 10:30am.  By 10:30am, all runners are off this island and the bridge will be completely opened as normal.
  • No race traffic will enter the roundabout on the island or the roundabout on the mainland.
  • There are 5 Brunswick County sheriffs managing traffic on the mainland roads.
  • There are 6 Ocean Isle Beach police officers managing traffic around the island.
  • We have over 60 volunteers supporting local non-profits throughout the course.
  • Over 700 cones are used on course to keep runners safe and assist in traffic control.

We would absolutely love for YOU to volunteer.  It takes the support of our beautiful community to put on a race of this size.  All volunteers will receive a commemorative swag item like a race shirt or hat and we’ll make a donation to a cause of your choice when you sign up to volunteer.  Please click here to help!

We’d love to add your cause or non-profit as a fundraiser to our volunteer page – just email volunteer@coastalrace.com and our team will be glad to help!

If you’re not able to officially volunteer on the course, please consider cheering on runners as they pass by your house.  Loud noise makers like cowbells are encouraged or make a sign.  Don’t worry about water stops, we’ve got that covered but runners love a little encouragement along the way.

All runners will be parking off the island near Lowes Foods in approved grass lots between 5:30am and 7:00am.