Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K

Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K returns to Gulf Shores, Alabama, over January 30-31, 2027. Saturday holds the Safari 5K, the Shark Challenge and the Dolphin Challenge at 9 a.m. and the family fun run and walk at 9:10 a.m.; the marathon (26.2 miles) and half marathon (13.1 miles) both start at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. The routes follow the fully paved trails of Gulf State Park, and the USATF certified marathon is one of the flattest and fastest courses in the southern United States as well as a Boston qualifier.

That combination makes it a real target if you are chasing a personal best or a BQ time: flat, certified and early enough in the year that an autumn and winter build lands right. The two challenges pair the 5K with either the marathon or the half across the weekend. Finishers collect quality swag, extra medals and entry to the beach party at the Hangout.