Every year since 1976, runners and fun-seekers alike grab their running shoes and converge in Corpus Christi, Texas to take on this beloved six-leg marathon. Our event has become an annual tradition for many of these runners, reuniting them with friends they’ve made from marathons past. Beach to Bay has …
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Every year since 1976, runners and fun-seekers alike grab their running shoes and converge in Corpus Christi, Texas to take on this beloved six-leg marathon. Our event has become an annual tradition for many of these runners, reuniting them with friends they’ve made from marathons past.
Beach to Bay has grown into one of the largest relay marathons in the United States. Attracting runners from all over the U.S. as well as Kenya, England and Mexico, Beach to Bay boasts an annual registration rate of over 2,000 teams.
This is a six-leg running event, both in relay and full marathon format for those who prefer to take on a challenge solo, that totals approximately 26.2 miles of the Gulf Coast beach, pavement (including the JFK Causeway!), a little sweat, an occasional tear, and a bunch of smiles. Beginning on the sands of North Padre Island, winding through Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and ending at McCaughan Park along Corpus Christi’s scenic Shoreline Drive, the legs are roughly 4.4 miles each. Always held on the third Saturday in May, or Armed Forces Day, Beach to Bay honors the men and women serving in our United States Military with sincere pride – a tradition founded by Captain John Butterfield back in the inaugural year of 1976.
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Fun humid relay
This was a fun team event. I ran the first leg on the beach - all other legs are paved. My section was the most scenic -- later sections were … MORE
This was a fun team event. I ran the first leg on the beach – all other legs are paved. My section was the most scenic — later sections were quite humid. Fun to run in a different part of Texas – medals and shirts are nice (pretty standard).
Way too hot
The race probably should start earlier in the day since it gets so unbearably hot later in the morning. Even if they would just let the full marathon runners go … MORE
The race probably should start earlier in the day since it gets so unbearably hot later in the morning. Even if they would just let the full marathon runners go early, that would be so helpful to run in an hour or darkness. The volunteers were amazing though, saved me.
I think May is too late for a full marathon in Texas. It is just too hot. Look at other races in the state, the season is essentially done in March. Skip this unless you are really used to tough heat on a totally exposed course.
26.2 Miles Solo or with Friends
This is my fourth B2B event but this was the first time I have run it as a two runner relay (the three previous I ran as a 6 runner … MORE
This is my fourth B2B event but this was the first time I have run it as a two runner relay (the three previous I ran as a 6 runner relay). This was the first year for the two runner entry. They also have a solo option as well as the traditional six runner team.
I love this event. It is billed as the largest marathon relay. This year I think there were about 1450 teams that showed up on race day (counting all variations of teams).
Packet pickup is always at an expo (no race day pickup). The expo is small but you have to visit to pickup your bibs, shirts, baton, and this year a timing chip (to be worn by the last leg runner). Free parking so that is a plus.
As stated this year I ran as a two person team. The first half consisted of legs 1,2,&3 and the second is 4,5,&6. The first half is a tad shorter at 12. something miles and the second half is 13. something but both equal to the 26.2 miles.
This event starts on the beach on Padre Island then runs to downtown Corpus Christi and finishes in the bay area. All runners get the same start time no matter when you cross the start line (7:00 AM). The only timing chip is worn by the last leg runner to stop the clock. So if you are fast you best get a spot upfront to save time. Other than about a mile or so run on the beach at the start, the rest of the race is on paved roads. The route is almost all flat other than the JFK Causeway bridge on leg 3 or at about mile 8 if you are running solo or as the two runner team. It is a nice hill but short. The rest of the time it is pretty flat or such a gradual incline towards downtown that it is not noticeable. It is also mostly free of turns other than the start and leg 4 (miles 13 through 17 or so). Scenery – The start is on the beach so you get to view the beach, after that you are running on roads where you will get views of the various bays along the way. Leg 4 or at about mile 13 something you run through the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. Not much to see there as you wind your way through the base. After you exit the base you head down Shoreline Drive and you will see some nice houses and occasional bay views. Sometimes you will get a wonderful odor from the bay (not really wonderful) but it is short lived. Coming into downtown you finish on the seawall area so it is a pretty finish line. You do have to carry a baton that you pass off to the next runner unless you are running the solo marathon. On course support – lots of water stops but water is all that is offered. If you want sports drink or any kind of gels you will need to bring your own. I ran the second half and there were a couple of local families handing out gatorade and cold water, very nice of them. There are also medical staff at each hand off point, which is needed as it is almost always very hot and humid so lots of hydration issues every year. This year the heat index was 95 degrees when i started my run. There are no mile markers on the course. This is not a big issue to me if you are running the six runner relay but if you are running solo or a two runner relay, mile markers would be very helpful as we all know our GPS is not always accurate and if you are running the second half as I did, your GPS will say mile 1 when you are really at mile 13, not real confusing but it would be nice to have mile markers.
Not many spectators on the course outside the hand off points.
The finish line has large party area where they have a band playing, some free food items, fruit, beer, soft drinks, water, and pizza. There were also several food vendors selling items. You finish on the bay so there is also a beach if you wish to go cool off in the water.
When you finish you are handed your medal/medals to hand out to your team mates. They also have tents that you can rent (must be arranged prior to run) so your team can have some shade at the finish.
Awards – They go three deep in various categories from Elementary School teams up to “ultra” (age 60 and above). The award is a tile (see photo as we were fortunate that no fast two person senior master teams showed).
I have done this event four times. It is a nice weekend trip for me. I take an extra day off and make it a three day weekend just to get away. I will continue to run this event but will probably will go back to the traditional six runner team. The heat and humidity was a killer and really zapped me and my performance was horrible, way off my pace. So next time I will run the 4. something leg and not the 13. something leg. I enjoyed the challenge of the 13. something and happy I ran it. I do know that I had considered running the full 26.2 solo but after this weekend, I am not wanting to battle the 95 degrees running that far.
Relay is a MUST Run every year
Expo small but has some good vendors about 2000 teams 6 person relay - each leg but leg 1 is about 4.5ish miles each. mostly flat course but leg 3 … MORE
Expo small but has some good vendors
about 2000 teams
6 person relay – each leg but leg 1 is about 4.5ish miles each.
mostly flat course but leg 3 (run over the causeway bridge), very few turns but leg 4
most legs have a view of either the beach, laguna madre, or bay.
Water stops are all along the course but provide only water.
Finisher medals for everyone – Cotton T-Shirts
Overall a great run.
Weather can be HOT and HUMID – pre-hydrate
we always take an extra day and make it a three day weekend in Corpus. Look forward to this run (our third year to run)