Nags Head Woods 5K celebrates 40 years of miles and smiles

By Steve Hanf

As the last shuttle made its way from the finish of the Nags Head Woods 5K to the parking area, Luke Baer, president of the First Flight Rotary Club struck up a conversation with a family that was enjoying a homecoming of sorts.

Their dad had become a runner in his 60s, and for more than a decade, he insisted that his kids make the trek from Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland to do the event with him. While he was thrilled to have the family together on the OBX each year, there was still one thing that bothered him.

“He was in his 80s still doing this, and he kept complaining to them that he could never win the oldest division because he kept getting older and there was always a new 65-year-old in the division that would beat him,” Baer remembers the family sharing with him. “He just wanted to get a medal, but he never did.”

The man died during the pandemic, and the first race back, the family dutifully gathered to celebrate his annual tradition. The next year, the family also returned – for the unveiling of the “Elbert Jones Oldest Participant in the Woods” award.

Elbert got his medal.

“It is such an Outer Banks story, how people come together with their families here,” said Baer, who is coordinating the Nags Head Woods 5K this year. “It was just this really feel-good thing that’s just one story about what this race can be. I’m really trying to bring back stories that can connect to the history of this event.”

Baer and his fellow First Flight Rotary Club members are gearing up for the 40th anniversary of the Nags Head Woods 5K, which takes place Saturday, May 9, at 8 a.m.

Runners and walkers are encouraged to sign up for the beach’s oldest charity race at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/KillDevilHills/NagsHeadWoods5K. Baer says the goal for this year is to crack 200 race participants.

Proceeds from the Rotary’s biggest fundraiser benefit the First Flight Rotary Club Foundation, which the club uses to support many community charities and projects, such as the Nags Head Woods Preserve and the First Flight Rotary Club Scholarship.

The Outer Banks Community Foundation manages the First Flight Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, and these two organizations also have a long history of working together to support needs and opportunities across the Outer Banks.

As a longtime supporter of both the Nags Head Woods 5K and the preservation of Nags Head Woods, the Outer Banks Community Foundation deepened its involvement in 2011 by partnering with Rotary during the race’s 25th anniversary. Together, they raised nearly $15,000 for the event.

“We’ve collaborated with the Rotary on various events and programs over the last 20-plus years, but most recently, we worked with them to launch a new scholarship fund,” said Chris Sawin, CEO of the Community Foundation. “This year, as First Flight Rotary and North Banks Rotary came together, we were able to merge their scholarship funds in a way that makes a greater impact for students.”

The First Flight Rotary Scholarship is a four-year renewable scholarship for a Dare County student who exemplifies “service over self” – the motto of the organization. The scholarship was awarded for the first time this spring to First Flight High School senior Saxon Heuneman.

“Our partnership with First Flight Rotary spans decades, rooted in a shared commitment to supporting the use and appreciation of Nags Head Woods through the race, and investing in local students through scholarships,” Sawin said.

The 5K is a down-and-back on the gravel road from the Nature Conservancy offices, with a Fun Run for kids and One-Mile Walk also available.

Because of the history, Baer said it’s important to commemorate the race with things like great swag. The race features T-shirts and participation medals for all, plus awards for the top three finishers in 14 age groups and special categories, such as the one named after Elbert.

 “Luke has done a very good job with the event,” said fellow Rotarian Ralph Buxton. “What’s it about? It’s about having a good time, it’s an activity that’s raising money, but it’s also a great deal about awareness of the Woods and that we’ve got this treasure here and this opportunity to enhance it.”

Buxton, who founded Kitty Hawk Kites with John Harris, got involved with Nags Head Woods as part of the area’s conservation efforts in the 1970s that included saving Jockey’s Ridge from development. Jim and Henrietta List set up a Friends of Nags Head Woods nonprofit board focused on helping the Nature Conservancy preserve the Woods, and Buxton joined.

“The idea sprang forth, ‘What can we do back here?’ The linchpin was Larry Gray,” Buxton said.

Not only was Larry part of the family with the well-known department store Gray’s on the beach, but he was also an avid runner who enjoyed participating in races in Virginia. He pitched the idea of a well-organized 5K in the Woods, and the first one took place in 1982.

“It was a success in a lot of different ways,” Buxton said. “At that point, it was rather simple, but it showed the possibilities of the Nature Conservancy not only being someplace that was going to be preserved, but also that this could become an attraction for the area. This was a special spot, a hidden treasure, if you will. We have lots of ocean and sound around us. Everybody knows about that, but the woods? This really brought forward the concept that this not only can be a conservation effort, but also a publicity effort, and it grew.”

Of course, anything with a long history is going to see changes, and both the race and the face of Rotary have changed over the years. The race initially was managed by the Friends board, then the Kiwanis Club, and then Rotary.

The Rotary groups themselves have also shifted. Buxton was initially a member of the Manteo Rotary Club, which is disbanding this year, as have many civic organizations across the country that are facing declining numbers. Around 1990, the North Banks Rotary Club divided into two clubs – North Banks and First Flight Rotary – but two years ago, the clubs combined forces once again as the First Flight Rotary Club.

“We have all these fundraising events for the two clubs,” Baer said. “We’re trying to pick the ones that we’re going to maintain, and the Nags Head Woods 5K is at the top of the list.”

As for the race itself, Baer and everyone helping him put on the event are excited to celebrate this year’s milestone – and many more races to come.

“We love it because it helps build awareness for the Woods, it helps us with fundraising for the efforts we participate in, and it’s a collection of stories,” Baer said. “A lot of people will say that’s the first 5K they ever did. It’s got that kind of staying power, and I’m hoping we can continue it on.”

For more information about the race or the First Flight Rotary Club, visit FirstFlightRotary.org.

For more information about the Outer Banks Community Foundation, visit OBCF.org or contact the staff at 252-423-3003.

About the Outer Banks Community Foundation: The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to fostering philanthropy and supporting local causes. Through its charitable funds and grant programs, the Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life for residents of the Outer Banks.