First-ever Labor Day Lighthouse 5K draws 125 participants… WITH SLIDESHOW

First Place: Max Syrrist of Buxton, NC
Second Place: Pablo Marquez of Frisco, NC
Third Place: Stephen King of Buxton, NC

September 3, 2024 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

Photos by Don Bowers

The first-ever Labor Day Lighthouse 5K on Monday, September 2, drew a crowd of approximately 125 participants who were treated to sunny weather and amazing views of the scaffolded Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which is in the middle of an extensive restoration project.

The new-in-2023 Barrier Island Group (B.I.G.), in cooperation with the National Park Service, hosted the inaugural event, and organizer Tom Amatucci was pleased with the hefty turnout for the Monday morning race. “I think it went very well, considering it was our first year,” he said.

All participants received a commemorative tee, an eco-friendly reusable water cup, and a wholly unique finishers medal commemorating the lighthouse restoration, complete with an image of the scaffolded tower. “The medal is one-of-a-kind, because next year, the lighthouse won’t have the scaffolding that is part of the [restoration project],” said Amatucci.

The event raised funds for three Outer Banks charities – Hatteras Island Meals, Outer Banks Buddies, and the Buxton-Frisco Pathway Project – and Amatucci reports that since the Barrier Island Group was launched, the organization has raised more than $5,000 for local island nonprofit organizations.

“This event came together quickly, and we are so grateful for all of our sponsors, and everyone who came out for the first Labor Day Lighthouse 5K,” said Amatucci. “We plan on doing this again next Labor Day, and will hopefully have an even bigger crowd as word spreads.”