👋 A Note from Jason
Welcome to Issue #1 of Local Motion.
If you're reading this, you're one of us — someone who loves getting out there but is tired of hunting across Facebook groups, gym apps, and random websites just to find a group run, open pickleball, or a weekend race.
We started this newsletter because we kept missing too many good events. Now everything worth doing — races, group runs, pickleball, rides, and local fitness events land in one simple email every Tuesday morning.
No more FOMO. No more scattered searching. Just good local options so you can lace up, grab your paddle, or clip in and go.
If we missed something you love, hit reply and tell us. This only gets better with your help.
Let's get moving. 👇
🤯 Wait — Did You See This?!?!
Before we get into this weeks events, we have to talk about what happened Sunday at the London Marathon — because if you missed it, your running brain is about to explode!
Kenya's Sabastian Sawe became the first person in history to legally break the 2-hour marathon barrier, crossing the finish line in 1:59:30. Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha — running his first ever marathon — finished second in 1:59:41. Two humans. One race. Both under 2 hours. The pace? 4:34 per mile. For 26.2 miles.
Experts spent decades debating whether this was even physically possible. On Sunday morning in London, two dudes just went ahead and did it anyway. We'll just let that sink in while we go cry into our running shoes. 👟😭
Now — back to our regularly scheduled local events. 👇
🔥 This Week's Top Picks
Creek Crawl Obstacle Run — (Sat · Foley)
Paddles for Purpose Tournament — (Sat · Daphne)
Thursday Night Group Run — (Thur 6 PM · Fairhope)
🏓 PICKLEBALL
🏓 Before you throw your paddle at your phone — we know. That's a ping pong paddle. There is no pickleball emoji and frankly the whole situation is unacceptable. Tina is especially upset about it. Until the emoji committee gets their act together, 🏓 is what we've got. We soldier on.
🔥 This Weekend
PickleRage Ragers Spring Classic — May 8–10 · Mobile, AL
Competitive tournament · Multiple skill divisions. Registration may still be open — check now.
📅 Coming Up — Next 2 Weeks
Orange Beach Pickleball Complex Grand Opening — Thu. May 7, 10:00–11:30 AM · 4869 Wilson Blvd, Orange Beach
Brand new 14-court outdoor complex with shade cabanas, restrooms & covered pavilion. Free demos, light refreshments & giveaways. No registration needed — just show up and dink. "Dinks are better here."
Paddles for Purpose Tournament — Sat. May 9 · W.O. Lott Park, Daphne
Charity tournament · All skill levels · Great cause, great courts. Spots fill fast — register soon.
🗓️ Save the Date — Coming Soon
Port City Pickleball Summer Break Showdown — June 13–14 · W.O. Lott Park, Daphne
Eastern Shore tournament · Registration open — get signed up now.
📌 Open Play — Every Week
Mike Ford Tennis Center — Stimpson Park, Fairhope
Lighted for night play · Lessons, clinics & socials available. Call for open play schedule: 251-990-9526
W.O. Lott Park — Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun 8–11 AM · Wed/Fri 6 PM · Daphne
12 outdoor courts · Free · All skill levels welcome.
Know of open play in Fairhope, Daphne or Spanish Fort? Hit reply and we'll add it next week!
🏃 RUNNING
📅 Coming Up — Next 2 Weeks
Creek Crawl Obstacle Run — Sat. May 9 · Graham Creek Nature Preserve, Foley
4-mile mud run · 20 obstacles · post-race food & beer (21+). Heats sell out fast — don't wait.
🗓️ Save the Date — Coming Soon
Summer Sizzle 10-Week Speed Program — Kicks off May 11 · Running Wild, Fairhope Every Tuesday through July 14. Perfect for anyone chasing a fall PR.
📌 Weekly Runs
Thursday Night Group Run — Every Thursday, 6:00 PM · McSharry's Irish Pub, Fairhope
Run at your own pace, stay for food and good company. Best post-run tradition on the Eastern Shore.
Know of any group runs we missed? Hit reply and we'll add them to next week's issue!
🚴 CYCLING
📌 Weekly Rides
Pro Cycle Saturday Morning Ride — Every Saturday, 7:30 AM · Pro Cycle & Tri, Fairhope
~28 miles · All paces welcome. Best weekly shop ride on the Gulf Coast. Show up, clip in, and hang on.
No major cycling races on the immediate horizon — we'll flag them the moment registration opens.
Know of any group rides we missed? Hit reply and we'll add them to next week's issue!
🏊 TRIATHLON & MULTI-SPORT
🗓️ Save the Date — Coming Soon
XTERRA Oak Mountain — May 15–16 · Pelham, AL
Off-road triathlon hosting the North American Championship this year. Register early — draws a big crowd.
Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon — September · Gulf Shores
Local favorite returning to the coast. Early registration details coming soon — bookmark it now.
👀 Just Happened
Flora-Bama Mullet Man Triathlon — April 18 · Perdido Key
28th annual swim-bike-run at the Flora-Bama. Post-race party mandatory. If you raced it, nice work. If you missed it, mark 2027 on your calendar now.
That's Issue #1 in the books! 🎉
We're just warming up (forgive the typos — I told you I wasn't a writer) — and we'd love to know what we're missing. Group tennis, open swim, yoga in the park, a ride nobody talks about but everyone loves — if it's active and local, we want it in here. Just hit reply.
And if a neighbor or training partner would love this, send them to localmotionactive.com to subscribe. The bigger this community gets, the better Local Motion becomes for everyone.
We’ll see you on the court or on the road. 🌅
— Jason (and Tina 🏓)
Local Motion — From the Bay to the Beach. localmotionactive.com