OBX GO FAR celebrates 15 years

Published 12:55 pm Monday, June 2, 2025

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Eleven-year-old runner Andrew Hathcock, center, is pictured with fellow running friends after the race. Courtesy Meg Minetree

Runners excitedly gathered under the OBX Go Far arch before the race began. Courtesy Tatum Clements

Pre-run stretching. Courtesy Tatum Clements

First time OBX GO FAR runner Lennox McClellan receiving his medal at the end of the Fun Run. Courtesy Tatum Clements

OBX GO FAR’s post-race celebration. Courtesy Tatum Clements

Runner Lola Chovaz receiving an award at the OBX Go Far post-race celebration for placing first in girls in the Miles Cupcake 5k. Courtesy Tatum Clements

Parents and kids looking at one of the stacks of boxes of free running shoes, which were purchased for the kids with funds from the OBCF Community Enrichment Grant. Courtesy Tatum Clements

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By Cate Kozak

Shane Miles talked fast and moved fast. Energetic, engaged, and community-oriented, his default setting seemed to be overdrive. The former OBX GO FAR coach and ultra runner with a true love for people and running sadly passed away at the age of 48 in 2020, but on a Saturday, May 3, 2025 when more than 350 children and adults excitedly gathered near The Pioneer Theater in downtown Manteo to participate in OBX GO FAR’s 15th Annual Miles Cupcake 5k and Fun Run, Shane’s energy was definitely present.

That Saturday, the Miles Cupcake 5k promptly began at 8 a.m., and the Fun Run began right after at 8:05 a.m. It was only a few minutes before some of the runners were back to cross the finish line under the giant OBX GO FAR arch. By 9 a.m., all of the runners were on the lawn outside of the Pioneer Theater for the post-race celebration.

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With the support of a Community Enrichment Grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF), this year’s post-race celebration for OBX GO FAR’S 15th anniversary was extra special.

“We are proud to support OBX GO FAR, one of our longtime partners, in their incredible work to promote health and wellness for Dare County children. For 15 years, they’ve helped kids build confidence, stay active, and celebrate their accomplishments, regardless of ability to pay. We’re thrilled to help make their anniversary initiative a reality,” said Chris Sawin, president and CEO of the Outer Banks Community Foundation.

The celebration included cupcakes for all of the runners and a presentation of awards, but the biggest surprise was when all of the young runners found out that they were all getting new running shoes, which were purchased with funds from the Community Enrichment Grant along with a generous in-kind donation from Sound Feet Shoes. The kids were also treated to a free screening of The Tortoise and The Hare at The Pioneer Theater.

Eleven-year-old runner Andrew Hathcock has participated in six seasons of OBX GO Far, and this year was his first time running the 5k.

“My favorite part of the race was that I got to run it with all of my friends,” said Hathcock. “It was so cool that OBX GO FAR had a pair of shoes for every kid who participated.”

GO FAR (Go Out For A Run) was created in 2003 by physician assistant Robin Lindsay to encourage healthier living for young people, including training for a 5K run. From its beginning at a single school in High Point, N.C. with 16 kids, it has to date expanded to 38 GO FAR Clubs.

While serving as the director of the after-school enrichment program for Dare County Schools, Samantha Lock, a lifetime runner, learned about GO FAR at a youth leadership conference in 2009.

By 2010, Lock had implemented OBX GO FAR as part of the after-school program, and later the program was opened to other area kids.

According to Lock, “This year’s 15th anniversary race had 133 outside participants plus about 47 parents in addition to our coaches and 177 OBX GO FAR kids.”

“Training usually begins with a walk-run pace, but most of the kids take off running right away,” said Lock. “If anything, we have to slow them down. They’re eager to go far and go fast. At the finish line, every runner earns a medal—and that’s when the running bug hits. There’s something about those endorphins kicking in, the rush you feel after a good run—it just hooks them.”

To date, OBX GO FAR has served a total of 12,000 youths.

Each year the event proceeds support OBX GO FAR’s mission to empower children through an innovative running program to achieve their goals and pursue healthy lifestyles.

The cost per child to participate in the OBX GO FAR program is $110 including the race, swag, insurance, etc.

“While the $48 registration fee helps in part to pay for these costs we could not do what we do without the amazing support of our community like OBCF,” said Lock.

OBX GO FAR named the Miles Cupcake 5k and Fun Run and the nonprofit’s college education fund, The Miles Education Fund, after Shane Miles.

“That man, he is the prime example of perseverance and the love for running,” said Lock. “He had such determination and perseverance to never, ever, ever give up.”

Miles started the Cupcake 5k race, served as president of the Outer Banks Running Club, opened a running specialty store, and ran multiple marathons and ultra-marathons. And from its earliest days, Miles coached local kids for OBX GO FAR, and continued to volunteer throughout its subsequent years.

The Miles College Education Fund, which recognizes participants who are engaged in running, volunteerism and teaching others the sport and healthy lifestyle skills, awarded $30,000 worth of scholarships to date. OBX GO FAR awarded eight $1,500 scholarships this year in celebration of their 15th anniversary.

As important as the program’s healthy physical goals, including obesity prevention and overall fitness, Lock said, is character building, as exemplified by Miles’ steely perseverance.

“That’s what’s keeping them coming back, is that they may not love running, but the biggest thing is that they are learning that skill of not giving up,” Lock said.

“And sportsmanship. And respect. And sometimes,” Lock added, “they want to come back and try to beat their time or do better.”

To learn more about OBX GO FAR, go to obxgofar.org.

The Outer Banks Community Foundation’s second Community Enrichment Grant application deadline of 2025 is Friday, July 25.

Nonprofits are encouraged to visit OBCF’s website for detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria and the application portal. Early submissions are encouraged to allow time for review and feedback.

For more information or assistance with the grant application process, go to OBCF.org/grants or contact the staff at 252-423-3003.

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.

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