Big Beach Half Marathon

Jennifer Clark (MM15623, DA3643, HF16743) Half Marathon #266 is in the books.

Big Beach Half Marathon, Gulf Shores, Alabama, January 28, 2024

We took a nostalgic trip to Gulf Shores this weekend for the Big Beach race weekend…the 7K on Saturday and the Marathon/Half marathon on Sunday. I grew up going to Gulf Shores for family vacation every year and continued with our children. it’s always fun to go back to see what’s changed and to remember our favorite places.

I arrived too late Friday to go to packet pick up so I opted to go Saturday morning before the 7K. It was held at the Lodge at Gulf State Park, one of the sponsors for the weekend. Packet pick up was super easy and I was able to get everything I needed for both races.

Saturday morning brought driving rain. What a miserable morning for a race! The start was delayed 15 minutes to be sure the roughest storms had moved through, and then we were off! I’ve done a few races in the rain, but I believe this was absolutely the hardest rain I have ever tried to run in. The course went around through the parking lot next to Shelby Lake and then onto a wooden boardwalk for about a half mile. Then we went out a bit on a hiking bike path, turned around and came back to the start finish line. I was definitely glad when that one was over.

Once the 7K was over it was quickly back to the hotel for a nice hot shower and the layout of wet clothes. After relaxing a little bit, David and I headed to Lamberts, “Home of the Throwed Rolls” for an awesome meal with a waitress that look like a Texaco Girl from the distance past!

The weather for the half marathon/marathon, was totally opposite, cool, windy, no rain. The races started at the same time behind the Hangout, a local restaurant that has been the home for Big Beach, since it began. There were about 1200 runners so it was a bit congested at first.

We quickly circled around to Gulf Shores Parkway, the North-South highway that goes directly into Gulf Shores and Ts at Beach Boulevard at the Hangout. After about a mile we turned into Gulf State Park, where the majority of the race was held. Most of the race was on hike and bike trails, the majority of which were asphalt. There were a few boardwalk areas, one over a mile and one about half a mile.

The path and boardwalk were well-maintained, though the boardwalk was a bit slippery in places because of the rain the day before. At about mile 11.5 we went on a pedestrian bridge over Beach Boulevard (the only elevation in the race), then onto Beach Blvd back to finish behind the Hangout where we started.

The Aid Stations were numerous, about 1 1/2 miles apart. Each had water, Gatorade, and energy gels. Various local groups manned the stations, including the local Zoo and a bunch of Jimmy Buffet fans with an aid station called The ParrotHeads!

After the race there was a selection of fruit available in the finisher area, then adjacent to the Hangout runners got a choice of wraps and beer. There was plenty of room to relax and listen to a local band.

This was the 9th year for the Big Beach Marathon/Half Marathon. I’m sure next year will be an even bigger party and I plan to be there! — with Jennifer Clark and 4 others.