Half & Full Parking
You are invited to join us for Big Beach Marathon in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama the weekend of January 30th & 31st, 2027. The courses are scenic, flat, and FAST, running on the fully paved trails through the Gulf State Park. Our course is also a USATF Certified Boston Qualifier for those who are hoping to score a coveted Boston qualifying time (and potentially snag a spot at the world major). The marathon and half marathon take place Sunday, with the start and finish located beach side at The Hangout. Enjoy stunning views of the Gulf Shores beaches, a gorgeous backdrop for your race weekend! And a celebration that brings runners back year after year. In addition to Sunday's marathon and half marathon, the Safari 5K and Family Fun Run/Walk on Saturday provides an opportunity for those not up to the marathon or half marathon distances the ability to participate, as well as giving those looking for an added challenge, the opportunity for TWO days of racing in your weekend. Take on the Shark or Dolphin challenge by choosing to participate in the 5K on Saturday and the full marathon (Shark) or 5K Saturday and then half marathon on Sunday (Dolphin)! Challengers receive finishers medals from both races PLUS a third challenge medal, extra beer tickets, and the ultimate in bragging rights. All race participants are welcome to The Hangout after party on Sunday to celebrate! Participants will receive post-race food, beer, and a great time near the beautiful Gulf Shores beaches! We can’t wait to see you at Big Beach!
Top Overall Male & Female 1st/2nd/3rd place awards will be given to male and female overall and age group winners based on chip time for the Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K. Overall winner prizes: Awards are a framed certificate and race-branded gift Age Group Awards, Five (5) Year Age Groups**, Male & Female 1st/2nd/3rd Age groups are as follows: Under 19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and above ** Age Groups are subject to change at the discr
26.2 Miles: Marathon Long Sleeve
13.1 Miles: Half Marathon Long Sleeve
7K: Safari 5K T-Shirt
1 Miles: T-Shirt
30.55 Miles: Long Sleeve & Short Sleeve Shirt
17.2 Miles: Long Sleeve & Short Sleeve Shirts
30.3 Miles: Long Sleeve & Short Sleeve Shirts
| Distance | Price | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26.2 Miles | $95.00 | Jan 26 | Mar 4 |
| $105.00 | Mar 4 | Sep 4 | |
| $115.00 | Sep 4 | Nov 4 | |
| $125.00 | Nov 4 | Dec 4 | |
| $135.00 | Dec 4 | Jan 4 | |
| $145.00 | Jan 4 | Jan 26 | |
| $155.00 | Jan 26 | Jan 31 | |
| Year | Finishers | Median Time | Fastest Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 420 | 4:43:53 | 2:55:46 |
| 2025 | 423 | 4:30:44 | 2:31:56 |
| 2024 | 413 | 4:38:13 | 2:52:03 |
| 2023 | 384 | 5:00:52 | 2:37:05 |
| 2022 | 313 | 4:41:56 | 2:51:34 |
| 2021 | 283 | 4:43:00 | 1:26:26 |
| 2020 | 242 | 4:36:14 | 2:45:35 |
Interested in this race?
| 13.1 Miles |
| $75.00 |
| Jan 26 |
| Mar 4 |
| $85.00 | Mar 4 | Oct 4 |
| $90.00 | Oct 4 | Nov 4 |
| $95.00 | Nov 4 | Dec 4 |
| $105.00 | Dec 4 | Jan 4 |
| $115.00 | Jan 4 | Jan 26 |
| $125.00 | Jan 26 | Jan 31 |
| 7K | $35.00 | Jan 26 | Mar 4 |
| $40.00 | Mar 4 | Oct 4 |
| $45.00 | Oct 4 | Nov 4 |
| $50.00 | Nov 4 | Jan 4 |
| $55.00 | Jan 4 | Jan 26 |
| $60.00 | Jan 26 | Jan 30 |
| 1 Miles | $15.00 | Jan 26 | Sep 4 |
| $20.00 | Sep 4 | Jan 19 |
| $25.00 | Jan 19 | Jan 30 |
| 30.55 Miles | $120.00 | Jan 26 | Mar 4 |
| $130.00 | Mar 4 | Sep 3 |
| $140.00 | Sep 3 | Oct 5 |
| $150.00 | Oct 5 | Nov 4 |
| $160.00 | Nov 4 | Dec 4 |
| $170.00 | Dec 4 | Jan 4 |
| $180.00 | Jan 4 | Jan 26 |
| $190.00 | Jan 26 | Jan 31 |
| 17.2 Miles | $110.00 | Jan 26 | Jan 16 |
| 30.3 Miles | $110.00 | Jan 26 | Jan 22 |
Packet Pickup for the 5K, Shark & Dolphin Challengers, Marathon & Half Marathon Date: Friday, January 23, 2026 Location: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, 21196 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores AL 36542 Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00PM Parking is FREE on-site, the $10 parking fee for visitors is waived for Big Beach Packet Pick Up Palooza attendees. Shark & Dolphin Challenger's will also receive their half/full marathon additional gear. *If you are a 5K participant, shark or dolphin challenger and
Sunday, January 26, 2025- Marathon & Half Marathon Race Day Schedule Location: The Hangout, 101 E. Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, AL 6:15 AM -Race Day Opens: Information/Solutions, Late Pick Up, Gear Check 6:45-7:15 - Meet the Pacers inside The HangOut 7:20 - Opening Ceremonies Begin 7:30 AM – Start 9:00 AM - Beer Service Starts 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Band 10:00 AM - Half Marathon Awards* 12:00 PM - Marathon Awards* 1:30 PM - Marathon Awards Update* 2:30 PM – Course Officially Closes 3:30 PM – Post-
Packet Pick Up Packet Pickup for the 5K, Shark & Dolphin Challengers, Marathon & Half Marathon Date: Friday, January 23, 2026 Location: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, 21196 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores AL 36542 Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00PM Parking is FREE on-site, the $10 parking fee for visitors is waived for Big Beach Packet Pick Up Palooza attendees. Shark & Dolphin Challenger's will also receive their half/full marathon additional gear. If you are running the Shark Challenge (the ma
Saturday, January 24, 2026 - 5K Race Day Schedule Lake Shelby, 21101 State Highway 135, Gulf Shores, AL Packet Pick Up 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM - Located at Lake Shelby, 21101 State Highway 135, Gulf Shores, AL 9:00 AM – Start 5K 9:10 AM -- Fun Run/Walk Start 10:15 AM - Estimated time for 5K Awards 10:30 AM – Course Officially Closes Sunday, January 25, 2026- Marathon & Half Marathon Race Day Schedule The Hangout, 101 E. Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, AL 6:15 AM -Race Day Opens: Information/Solutions, L
Packet Pickup Date: Friday, January 23 Location: The Lodge at Gulf State Park, 21196 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores AL 36542 Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM *This pick up is open to ALL Big Beach event participants. Race Day Packet Pick Up* Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026 Location: Lake Shelby, 21101 State Highway 135, Gulf Shores, AL Time: 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM *Race day pick up is reserved ONLY for those that have no other means to get their race items at early pick up is limited to only those participatin
| 2019 |
| 295 |
| 4:37:27 |
| 2:13:34 |
| 2018 | 251 | 4:47:57 | 2:58:09 |
| 2017 | 213 | 4:37:25 | 3:03:08 |
| 2016 | 157 | 4:39:18 | 3:18:08 |
| Year | Finishers | Median Time | Fastest Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 841 | 2:27:13 | 1:14:48 |
| 2025 | 830 | 2:23:58 | 1:14:51 |
| 2024 | 737 | 2:19:22 | 1:18:03 |
| 2023 | 629 | 2:26:27 | 1:22:40 |
| 2022 | 544 | 2:16:30 | 1:24:44 |
| 2021 | 436 | 2:20:42 | 1:14:16 |
| 2020 | 520 | 2:26:20 | 1:18:47 |
| 2019 | 601 | 2:24:21 | 1:15:10 |
| 2018 | 455 | 2:31:27 | 1:22:49 |
| 2017 | 367 | 2:22:05 | 1:20:38 |
| 2016 | 428 | 2:21:02 | 28:12 |
| Year | Finishers | Median Time | Fastest Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 632 | 34:26 | 16:07 |
| 2025 | 518 | 51:11 | 23:28 |
| 2024 | 470 | 50:18 | 23:04 |
| 2023 | 444 | 43:25 | 22:00 |
| 2022 | 328 | 47:26 | 24:29 |
| 2021 | 254 | 45:41 | 24:10 |
| 2020 | 331 | 46:12 | 25:10 |