Walk, Run, Just Have Fun!
From Corolla to Avon, family-friendly, weekly 5k racing on the Outer Banks. Everyone gets a t-shirt, medal, light snacks and refreshments at our post race party.

A veteran owned business, The OBX Running Company brings you professional road race, multi-sport and swim events in a family friendly environment. We have a long standing commitment to building a better community through racing. We are always available to meet your fitness and recreation needs. At The OBX Running Company, "We'll Race You!"

The OBX Running Company partners with local charities providing services to families and individuals in need.

The OBX Running Company delivers family friendly, fun and fast 5k racing and multi sport events that promote Tourism and Hospitality on the Outer Banks.

 

SPECIAL PROFILE

Ready for a Runcation?

The Outer Banks Running Company Brings Family Fun and Fitness to Vacationers

Matt and Barbara Costa’s life-long passion for fitness motivated them to become business owners of The Gym and The OBX Running Company in the Outer Banks. Matt served as a Marine and Barbara grew up exercising. “Child obesity is such a serious issue,” says Barbara. “Exercise was organic for us as a couple, then we had children and we wanted to get our kids active.” 

The Costas are also both trained chefs and bring their hospitality backgrounds into their fitness businesses. For 10 years they have partnered with local businesses to host well organized racing events for all ages. Supporting local charities—including Outer Banks Giving Tree, Outer Banks Women’s Club and the Water’s Edge Village School—is deeply important to them. “A lot of families run together, some for the first time, and it becomes a yearly tradition,” says Barbara. 

The couple has brought the same family-friendly vibe to The Gym, providing a welcoming atmosphere that draws customers back year after year, much like the races. Along with standard memberships for residents, The Gym offers vacationers a variety of affordable, flexible passes. The Gym is a full-service fitness gym with cardio equipment, weights and even a boxing ring. It offers boxing training sessions and other exercise classes.  

The Costas consider the Outer Banks a special place to raise their children and run their veteran-owned businesses, and they realize why people come back each year for vacation. “The Outer Banks doesn’t feel like other beaches,” says Barbara. “It’s a much quieter spot than some of the other vacation destinations. But even though people are enjoying some down time they don’t want to stop their regular fitness routines.
We provide them with a variety of healthy lifestyle choices year round. And who doesn’t love that?” 

– Interview by Chelsea Sherman

Kitty Hawk
Hours
*Off-season hours may vary*
Call 252-489-8239 for current hours.
  • Monday7:00am-7:00pm
  • Tuesday7:00am-7:00pm
  • Wednesday7:00am-7:00pm
  • Thursday7:00am-7:00pm
  • Friday7:00am-7:00pm
  • Saturday7:00am-7:00pm
  • Sunday7:00am-7:00pm
Big Buck's Homemade Ice Cream

Serving our customers on the Outer Banks since 1994, Big Buck's ice Cream is dedicated serving you “The Best.” We offer a full line of super-premium ice cream products, smoothies, chocolates, and custom-made ice cream cakes! 2 locations are open all year: Duck  and Manteo, at The Waterfront Shops.

 

We offer a full line of Espresso Drinks from Hot Vanilla Cappuccinos and Hot Chocolate to Iced Caramel Lattes & Frozen Mochas, all made to order. Big Buck’s fresh fruit smoothies are lactose-free and made to order. Also offering lactose-free sorbets made from the best fruits available. Old time favorites are sure to please! Choose from a delicious collection of milkshakes, sundaes and banana splits.

 

Savor the moment with our Homemade Chocolate! Chocolates are made daily in each location. We offer a large selection from Dark to Milk to White. Milk Chocolate Oreos & Almond Toffee, Dark Chocolate Berries and Cherries Clusters & Hand-dipped Peppermint Patties with a Drizzle of White Chocolate, Extra-Dark Sea Salt Caramels & our famous homemade caramel chocolate pretzels oh & don’t forget the ever-popular caramel pecan turtle, just to name a few treats!

 

Belinda Pleva grew up serving ice cream out of her parent’s shop. She loved being part of what she calls “a happy business.” “I love it when people come into the shop and you hand them something, and it makes them smile,” Pleva says. “That moment when you hand an ice cream cone over to a little kid and their eyes just light up. That’s what I love about the ice cream business.”

 

In 1994, Pleva opened up her own ice cream and chocolate shop, Big Buck’s Ice Cream, in the brand-new Timbuk II Shopping Center in Corolla. Business was good, but something was missing.

 

“I was never satisfied with the ingredients in the ice creams and chocolates you could purchase back then. I wanted to serve my customers delicious flavors with ingredients they could actually pronounce,” Pleva says.

 

Pleva took a trip to Italy to study the gelaterias. She fell in love with the incredible flavors, and when she returned home to the Outer Banks, she began working tirelessly to perfect the flavors in her own ice cream.

 

Big Buck’s homemade ice cream combined the flavors of the Italian gelaterias and the richness of American ice cream. It quickly became a tourist favorite. After having the same unsatisfactory experience with the readymade chocolates she was selling, she also took a trip to Brussels to learn more about making handmade chocolates. Pleva brought the chocolate-making experience right back with her, and the result was the finest quality of chocolates on the Outer Banks.

 

After her huge success in the Corolla shop, Pleva was able to open up three more shops—one in Kitty Hawk, one in Manteo and one in Duck.

(More Locations)