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Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K race photo

Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K race photoGulf Shores
US
Please attribute this image as the work of " DiscoverWithDima ." · CC BY-SA 4.0Jodybwiki · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Race date in 108 days
Jan 31, 2027 Sun
City · Distance
Gulf Shores · 42.195km · 21.1km
Entry fee
$115Varies by event and entry period
Status
OpenFri, September 4, 2026 ~ Sun, January 31, 2027See how to enter ↗
Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 15, 2026
Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K race photo
Please attribute this image as the work of " DiscoverWithDima ." · CC BY-SA 4.0
Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K race photo
Jodybwiki · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

Held January 30-31, 2027 weekend in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K runner reviews and race reports

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 2
Brent LineberryRan in 2026 · Finish time 1:59:09
“The first four miles felt easy.”

The runner controlled the early effort at the Big Beach half marathon Marathon, but hip stiffness around mile 8 made climbs and beach headwinds difficult. The time disappointed, yet sustaining the intended effort to the end was satisfying.

Read the original on Brent Lineberry
DavidRan in 2024 · Finish time 3:52:45
“I was surprised how comfortable I felt at that pace.”

The runner followed the pace group early in Big Beach Marathon before accelerating late. Carefully handling slippery wooden boardwalks in Gulf State Park and headwinds before the finish, they ran the second half faster.

Read the original on Goal-Oriented Runner

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Finisher vlog

REACH YOUR PEAK RUNNING · Finisher vlog

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

Marathon

Entry cost $115

until Nov 4, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Half

Entry cost $90

until Nov 4, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Registration platform RunSignup

Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K course map and elevation

Your 42.195km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 07:30
EventStart
Marathon42.195km07:30
Half21.0975km07:30
5K5km09:00
START

101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL

Start · Google Maps
FINISH

The Hangout, Gulf Shores

Finish · Google Maps
Show more

Events include Marathon·Half Marathon.

Start at 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL at 7:30 AM local time.

Start and finish are at the same location.

Typical race-season temperature: around 11°C (52°F)
Short sleeves or light long sleeves + arm warmers

Participant benefits

Not yet confirmed in the official race guide

Where and when to collect your Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

Packet pickup information has not yet been announced.
Pickup is typically available at a designated location before the race or at the venue on race morning, so check the official race-page announcements.

Stations & transport near the venue

  • Getting to the startNone (no public transit)
  • Transit cardGulf Shores is a car-oriented beach town with no dedicated public transit card system; there is a seasonal…

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

None (no public transit)

Start/finish at The Hangout, 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, beachside. No fixed-route public transit serves this beachfront location.

Official site states plainly: start/finish at The Hangout, free public parking off-season, and reserved shuttle from The Lodge.

Map

Getting to the finish

None (no public transit)

Same location as start (The Hangout, 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542).

Map

Start shuttle

Yes — race-provided Sunday morning shuttle service from The Lodge (at Gulf State Park) to The Hangout; reservation required in advance. Public parking lots near start/finish also available first-come, first-served at no cost (off-season).

Transit card

Gulf Shores is a car-oriented beach town with no dedicated public transit card system; there is a seasonal trolley in-season but it is not relevant for race logistics. Visitors should plan on a rental car or rideshare, with cash or card for any parking fees.

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

Gulf Shores in January — cool, with an average temperature of 11°C.

Your fingers and ears will feel the cold first, so bring gloves and a beanie.

Wear several thin layers on your torso so you can remove them while running.

Public transportation does not reach the venue.

A private car or rental car is the only practical option.

Registration is handled through the RunSignup platform.

Full marathon really begins after 30 km.

For better late-race consistency, it is preferable to pass the halfway point 5–10 seconds slower than your target pace,

and start taking gels early, before you feel hungry.

The start is early, at 07:30.

Working backward from your wake-up time, breakfast and travel, staying near start line the night before is more convenient.

Registration is open until January 31, 2027.

Times are local to Gulf Shores. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Mobile｜Private Airport Pickup/Drop-Off Service at Mobile Regional Airport

$254

View on Klook

Spacious 4 BR Beachfront, Luxury Condo Next to the Hangout- GP 301

Accommodation · 103m

9.6/10(5)
View on Booking.com

Luxury 4 BR Beachfront Condo with Rooftop Pool Next to the Hangout! GP 303

Accommodation · 103m

7.5/10(4)
View on Booking.com

Modern 4 BR Luxury Condo with Rooftop Pool Next to the Hangout!

Accommodation · 103m

8.0/10(4)
View on Booking.com

Elegant 4 BR Luxury Condo with Rooftop Pool Next to the Hangout

Accommodation · 103m

6.3/10(3)
View on Booking.com

Hotels near the Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K start line in Gulf Shores

Hotels that make race morning easy

View all →

Distances are straight-line from the start/finish area.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

The start and finish are in the same place
We picked stays around that one spot.

Spacious 4 BR Beachfront, Luxury Condo Next to the Hangout- GP 301

Accommodation · 103m

9.6/10(5)
View on Booking.com

Luxury 4 BR Beachfront Condo with Rooftop Pool Next to the Hangout! GP 303

Accommodation · 103m

7.5/10(4)
View on Booking.com

Modern 4 BR Luxury Condo with Rooftop Pool Next to the Hangout!

Accommodation · 103m

8.0/10(4)
View on Booking.com

Elegant 4 BR Luxury Condo with Rooftop Pool Next to the Hangout

Accommodation · 103m

6.3/10(3)
View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

Trip.comClosest to the start lineView on Trip.com

Time for you, before and after the finish

View all →

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Mobile｜Private Airport Pickup/Drop-Off Service at Mobile Regional Airport

$254

View on Klook
Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on mapSeeing Gulf Shores with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Experiences, food and sights are travel products in Gulf Shores.

Total cost and budget for Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · Trip.comFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Gulf Shores runners' room

Frequently asked questions about Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K

FAQ
When does Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K 2027 take place?

It takes place on Sun, January 31, 2027 in Gulf Shores, AL, United States.

How much is the Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K 2027 entry fee?

The main event costs $115.

What distances does Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K 2027 offer?

Marathon · Half.

What time does Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K 2027 start?

The race starts at 07:30.

Where does Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K 2027 start?

101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL.

What is the Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K 2027 course like?

Events include Marathon·Half Marathon.

Start at 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL at 7:30 AM local time.

When does registration for Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K 2027 open?

Registration runs from Fri, September 4, 2026 to Sun, January 31, 2027.

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