Beach to Bay 2024: What you need to know about the 47th event
The 47th annual Beach to Bay Relay Marathon, presented by Valero, will return to Corpus Christi in May.
The event is one of the largest relay marathons in the United States. This year's 26.2-mile relay event will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, May 18, on North Padre Island, across the Laguna Madre along the JFK Causeway, then travel through the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi and finish on Shoreline Boulevard.
Registration is now open at beachtobayrelay.com.
The event, coinciding with Armed Forces Day, was created in 1976 by Naval Capt. John Alden Butterfield as a way for runners to gather and honor the nation’s military personnel.
Director Doug McBee said there were around 8,000 runners that participated in the previous year's relay and he is anticipating more this year.
Where and when do I pick up my race packet?
Race packets must be picked up between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, May 17 at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's Dugan Wellness Center.
The packet will include six official T-shirts, finisher's medals (guaranteed only for those who entered before the early deadline), a chip scoring device that will be placed in your bib, race bibs (red bibs must be worn by the runner running the sixth leg), transportation information, detailed race information and a relay baton.
All unclaimed bags will be forfeited. If you're unable to pick it up, it is recommended to make alternate arrangements to pick them up. Team captains may authorize someone on your team, a family member or a friend to pick up your packet.
Any changes to your team, such as changing a runner or runners, may be made at the Information and Change table. It is the only opportunity to make said changes.
What are the rules for the marathon?
Each runner may only run one leg of the relay.
Runners may not run on more than one team.
All members of each team eligible for awards are subject to verification by race officials prior to the awards ceremony.
The sixth-leg runner must wear the red race bib.
The race director and/or race official may disqualify anyone for not adhering to the rules.
Each leg must be completely finished or the team will be disqualified.
Runners are not permitted to run with a baby stroller or pets.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed in McCaughan Park prior to race. Beer will be on hand at McCaughan Park during the After Race Party.
Runners of the fourth leg must remember to adhere to all rules and regulations, as they are running through a government facility. Do not veer from the race course.
Parents of minors and providers of people with disabilities wishing to run the race alongside, but not bike, may do so as long as they acquire a parent bib in order to pass the security check-point.
Beach to Bay courses close promptly at 1 p.m. All teams must complete the relay before this time in order to get finisher medals and refreshments as they are available.
What are the legs of the marathon?
Leg 1 = 3.46 miles
Start: Intersection of Ellif Road and Access Road 5
Exchange point: The beach south of Bob Hall Pier
Leg 2 = 4.67 miles
Start: The beach south of Bob Hall Pier
Exchange Point: North side of JFK Causeway
Leg 3 = 4.36 miles
Start: North side of JFK Causeway
Exchange Point: Waldron Road near NAS Drive
Leg 4 = 4.6 miles
Start: Waldron Road near NAS Drive
Exchange Point: Outside of NASCC north gate on Ocean Drive
Leg 5 = 4.2 miles
Start: Outside of NASCC north gate on Ocean Drive
Exchange Point: West side of Swantner Park
Leg 6 = 4.93 miles
Start: West side of Swantner Park
Finish Line: McCaughan Park
Where can I watch?
Spectators are recommended to watch the marathon at the end of the race at McCaughan Park in downtown Corpus Christi. Viewing anywhere else along the relay can end with spectators stuck in traffic for quite some time.
Viewers usually arrive around 10 a.m., but it is advised to arrive earlier to avoid traffic.
Parking will be provided at Church of the Good Shepherd and First United Methodist Church, along with a smaller lot at IBC Bank in downtown Corpus Christi.
Signs and individuals will direct people into various lots. Most lots will charge a fee of $5 per car to park. The fee is a donation that goes to the groups providing parking.
Will transportation be provided for runners again?
In partnership with the city of Corpus Christi and the Texas Department of Transportation, buses will be made available free to runners to travel to North Padre Island and back.
Leg 1 bus service:
Park at Sunrise Mall, 5858 S. Padre Island Drive. When parking at the mall, you will be directed where to park by security personnel. Do not park in any barricaded areas as your vehicle will be towed away. Boarding will be from 4:45 to 5:15 a.m. The bus will return from the exchange point back to the mall.
Leg 2 bus service:
Park at Sunrise Mall. When parking at the mall, you will be directed where to park by security personnel. Do not park in any barricaded areas as your vehicle will be towed away. Boarding will be from 5:15 to 6 a.m. The bus will return from the exchange point back to the mall.
Leg 3 bus service:
Park at Security Drive off of First National Drive in Flour Bluff. Boarding will be from 6:30 to 6:45 a.m. The bus will not return as Leg 3 ends at NAS Drive and Waldron Road by F&T Body Shop. Runners are within walking distance to the designated parking behind Compton Road. Parking and security will be available for runners at the various designated empty lots behind Compton Road. Buses will not return as parking is within walking distance.
Leg 4 bus service:
Park at Security Drive off of First National Drive in Flour Bluff. There is no bus service to the start of Leg 4 as runners are within walking distance to the starting point. Designated parking and security are available off of Security Drive off of First National Drive in Flour Bluff. There is a designated area for boarding the bus adjacent to the Naval Air Station’s north gate and the bus will return to the designated parking near First National Drive and Security Drive. For the return trip, please board the bus at the NASCC north gate.
Leg 5 bus service:
Park at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi on Ocean Drive. Boarding will be from 8 to 8:45 a.m. There is no bus service to take runners back to the university, but carpooling with fellow teammates is encouraged.
Leg 6 bus service:
There is no bus service for Leg 6. It is recommended to have a plan in advance.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or X @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Your guide to the 47th Beach to Bay in Corpus Christi
