Round the Bay Relay and Ultra

Round the Bay Relay and Ultra is held in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on December 27, 2026. The course covers 36.8 miles (59.2 kilometers) and starts at 4:00 a.m., and as the name indicates it can be taken on either as a relay with a team or as a solo ultramarathon.

At just under 37 miles, the solo option is a step beyond the marathon without being a 50-miler, which makes it a reasonable first ultra for someone who has already run a marathon or two. Build with a weekly long run climbing toward twenty-two to twenty-six miles, practice eating solid food while moving, and get used to running in the dark, since a 4:00 a.m. start means several hours before daylight. Relay runners have an easier job physically but should plan handoffs and warm-ups carefully across a long day.