Step into the sun-soaked sands of Gulf Shores, Alabama for the Big Beach Marathon. This race offers runners an unforgettable coastal experience with its flat and fast courses through the picturesque Gulf State Park, featuring fully paved trails that wind along the shoreline. The marathon course is USATF certified and serves as a Boston Qualifier, attracting serious runners eager to secure their qualifying times in this scenic setting. The event takes place on Sunday at The Hangout, where participants will start and finish with breathtaking views of the Gulf Shores coastline—a backdrop that has captivated racers year after year. For those looking for more than one day of racing excitement, Saturday offers a pair of fun events: the Safari 5K and Family Fun Run/Walk. These shorter races are ideal for runners not quite ready to tackle longer distances or who want to kick off their weekend with some light competition before Sunday’s main event. The Shark and Dolphin Challenges provide an extra layer of excitement by combining Saturday's 5K race with either the full marathon (Shark) on Sunday or the half marathon (Dolphin). Completing both days earns participants unique challenge medals, additional swag from each day’s races, beer tickets for post-race celebrations, and bragging rights among fellow runners. After crossing the finish line on Sunday, all racers are invited to The Hangout for a lively after-party featuring delicious food, refreshing beverages, and plenty of opportunities to unwind by the beach. Join us in Gulf Shores for an unforgettable weekend of running and celebration! Big Beach Marathon awaits you!
Races Offered
5k
Jan 31, 2027
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Distance —
5K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
209 days remaining
sell
$60.43
Dolphin Challenge
Jan 31, 2027
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Distance —
26.2K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
209 days remaining
sell
$169.87
Half Marathon
Jan 31, 2027
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Distance —
21.1K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
209 days remaining
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$125.41
Marathon
Jan 31, 2027
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Distance —
42.2K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
209 days remaining
sell
$155.05
Shark Challenge
Jan 31, 2027
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Distance —
47K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
209 days remaining
sell
$190.40
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for January in Gulf Shores.
thermostatTemperature
7.9° / 15.8°
wb_sunnyFeels like
3.7° / 13.1°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
7h 43m
water_drop
Avg rainfall
4.6 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
0.1 cm
air
Avg wind speed
16.4 km/h (Gentle breeze)
opacity
Sweat loss rate
Low
terrain
Course conditions
Firm and slightly soft
sunny
Max UV Index
Low (2.0)
humidity_mid
Humidity
72.5%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
07:46
nightlight
Sunset
18:12
About Gulf Shores
Learn more about the host city, Gulf Shores.
Gulf Shores is a city in Alabama on the Gulf Coast. It has beautiful white sand beaches, but is quieter and cheaper than the Florida beaches nearby.
