Local Motion | Issue #17

Published: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 · 7:00 AM

👋 A Note from Jason

Foundation Paddle Classic is THIS Saturday, Aug 22, at the Foley Pickleball Courts. It benefits local schools, so come watch even if you're not playing. Rock and Roll Round Robin follows the very next weekend, Aug 28–30, at the Foley Event Center. Registration's closed, but 18 rubberized indoor courts and classic rock playing for three straight days is worth clearing your calendar for even as a spectator.

Also new this issue: Running Wild added a Saturday morning trail run at Fly Creek Nature Preserve in Fairhope. That puts us at five weekly group runs now, which feels like a real number.

One more thing — the Miles for Heroes discount code (15% off, Localmotion15off) is still good through the end of the month, so there's still time if Sept 26 is anywhere on your radar.

Let's get into it. 👇

🤯 Wait — Did You See This?!?!

Nearly 3,400 players just competed at the Proflex English Open in Birmingham, England — officially the largest indoor pickleball tournament in the world. Sixty courts, all under one roof, three exhibition halls opened up into a single arena just to fit everyone.

🔥 This Week's Top Picks

🏓 PICKLEBALL

🏓 I used to think pickleball was a pretty inexpensive hobby. Then I did the math: new shoes every three months, grip tape, lead tape, tournament fees, USA Pickleball membership dues, and paddles that now run north of $300 and core-crush every six months anyway. "Inexpensive" was a phase.

🗓️ This Weekend — August 22

The Foundation Paddle Classic — Sat. Aug 22 · Foley Pickleball Courts, 671 Kenny Stabler Ave, Foley Presented by Vulcan, Inc. and hosted by the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation. Gender doubles, round robin into a playoff bracket, brackets split by skill level (beginner/intermediate/advanced) and age group (8–35, 35–50, 50–60, 60–69, 70+). $40/player, registered through the Clever Pickleball platform. 100% of proceeds go to local education — grants and resources for South Baldwin students and teachers. Day-of schedule: check-in TBD, opening ceremony 7:45 AM, play begins 8:00 AM.

Get Your Dink On👇

🗓️ Coming Up — August 28–30

Rock and Roll Round Robin — Fri–Sun. Aug 28–30 · Foley Event Center, 1001 E Pride Blvd, Foley Three days of indoor pickleball on the Foley Event Center's 18 rubberized courts, classic rock and soul playing courtside — Friday is Men's Doubles, Saturday Mixed Doubles, Sunday Women's Doubles. 168 players registered as of this week. USA Pickleball sanctioned (Southern Pickleball); $50 covers up to 3 events. ⚠️ Registration closes Friday, Aug 14 at 11:55 PM. Withdraw deadline (for a refund minus a $20 fee) is Aug 17.

Register here 👇

📌 Open Play — Every Week

Mike Ford Tennis Center — Stimpson Park, Fairhope Lighted courts · Lessons, clinics & socials. Call for open play schedule: 251-990-9526

W.O. Lott Park — Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun 8:00–11:00 AM · Wed/Fri 6:00 PM · Daphne 12 outdoor courts · Free · All levels welcome.

Pickleball at OWA — Sun–Fri 10 AM–7 PM · Sat 8 AM–8 PM · 200 S OWA Blvd, Foley (worth the drive) 4 indoor climate-controlled courts · $10/hr guest pass · $55/mo membership · Walk-ins welcome. In Alabama. In June. You know what that means outside. Come inside.

Gulf Shores Sportsplex — Every day, sunrise–10:00 PM · 19025 Oak Road West, Gulf Shores (worth the drive, new this issue) 12 outdoor lighted courts · Free · Can't be reserved, just show up. Restrooms and water on site.

Know of open play anywhere else on the Shore? Hit reply — we'll add it.

🏃 RUNNING

🏃 Add trail running to the list of things I'm apparently bad at. Turns out running on roots and rocks requires actually watching where your feet go instead of staring at your Garmin. Learned that one the hard way.

🔥 This Weekend

Nothing on the local race calendar this weekend — a quiet stretch before the next training cycles kick in. Good week to just log easy miles.

📌 Weekly Runs

Five ways to run now — pick your day.

Fairhope Beer Runners — Every Monday · 6:00 PM · Fairhope Brewing Company, Fairhope Just wrapped their first full year. The format is refreshingly simple: 5K and 1-mile routes are mapped, but go as far and as fast as you want. No tracked miles. No recorded times. Social matters as much as the miles — stick around after for a raffle around 7 PM, then stay as long as you like. Fleet Feet supports with small giveaways each week. Show up, run, be social.

Foley Run Club — Every Tuesday · 6:00 PM · Moe's BBQ, Foley (new this issue) Gather at the Pavilion out front for group photos, then head out on 1-mile, 2-mile, or 5K routes through OWA — run, walk, jog, or just move at your own pace. No pressure, no judgment. Afterward, everyone heads back to Moe's for drinks, food specials, and good company. Open to anyone training for a race, starting a fitness journey, or just looking for their people.

Manci's Antique Club Run/Walk Social — Every Wednesday · 6:00 PM · Manci's Antique Club, Daphne Heading into their fourth year this October — which tells you everything you need to know about how good this group is. Same idea: 5K and 1-mile routes, but run your own race. No times, no pressure. The social after is the point. Fleet Feet keeps the giveaways coming, and the raffle at 7 PM is a legitimate reason to stick around.

Thursday Night Group Run — Every Thursday · 6:00 PM · McSharry's Irish Pub, 101 N Bancroft St, Fairhope Run at your own pace, stay for food and good company. The best post-run tradition on the Eastern Shore.

Fly Creek Nature Preserve Trail Run — Every Saturday · 7:00 AM · Fly Creek Nature Preserve, 22430 Main St, Fairhope (new this issue) Running Wild's newest weekly listing — a trail run/walk through Fly Creek Nature Preserve. All paces welcome, whether you're pushing it or just enjoying the woods.

Know of a group run we missed? Hit reply — we'll add it.

🗓️ On the Radar — This Fall

Miles for Heroes 5K & 1-Mile Run/Walk — Sat. Sept 26 · 8:00 AM · 1705 Main St, Daphne Certified 5K course through Olde Towne Daphne, benefiting IGY6: Gulf Coast — supporting suicide prevention and mental health for veterans and first responders. Finishers Festival with food trucks and music after.

🎟️ Local Motion reader discount: 15% off with code Localmotion15off at checkout — good through August only, so this is the last full issue to catch it before it's gone. Feel free to share with friends and family too.

10th Annual Bloody Mary 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run — Sat. Sept. 5 · 7:30 AM · Tacky Jacks, Gulf Shores (worth the drive) Race three of the Run the Coast Summer Series — and the championship race where series finisher medals are handed out. If you did the Shark Run on July 4th, this is the natural next step.

Register here 👇

Walk This Way: 80’s 5K & Block Party — Sat. Sept 12 · 5:00–10:00 PM · Heritage Park, Downtown Foley (new this issue) Lace up, dress up, and party like it's 1985. A scenic 5K through Historic Downtown Foley and the Rose Trail, finishing at Heritage Park, then a full-on 80s block party — live cover band, food trucks, costumes highly encouraged. Not a runner? Block Party Only tickets are available. Hosted by the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation, benefiting local education. BYOB friendly.

Bras Across the CAUSEway 5K & Festival — Sat. Oct 10 · USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park (worth the drive)The 10th annual — a full decade of "Turning Miles Into Miracles." Timed 5K, a family-friendly 1-mile fun run, or a virtual option. All proceeds fund the Patient Assistance Program, helping local breast cancer patients with gas, groceries, copays, rent, and other essentials.

🚴 CYCLING

📌 Weekly Rides

Pro Cycle Saturday Morning Ride — Every Saturday · 7:30 AM · Pro Cycle & Tri, Fairhope ~28 miles · All paces welcome. Best shop ride on the Gulf Coast. Show up, clip in, and hang on.

Pro Cycle Tuesday Night Hammerfest — Every Tuesday · 6:00 PM · Pro Cycle & Tri (Spring/Summer) 25 miles · Rear light required · ~20+ mph. Come find out.

Pro Cycle Thursday Night Social Ride — Every Thursday · 6:00 PM · Pro Cycle & Tri (Spring/Summer) 20 miles · No-drop · ~17–18 mph. Katie "momma-ducks" this one — nobody gets left behind.

Three rides a week. Saturday if you want miles, Tuesday if you want a challenge, Thursday if you want both and also to feel like part of a group.

No formal cycling races on the Baldwin County calendar for the next two weeks. Know of a club ride or group event? Hit reply.

🏊 TRIATHLON & MULTI-SPORT

🗓️ On the Radar — This Fall

Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon — Sat. Sept. 12 · Gulf Shores West Beach (worth the drive) Sprint and Olympic distances. Swim the Gulf, bike the coast, run the beach — with staging at The Hangout (101 Gulf Shores Pkwy). Olympic swim starts 7:00 AM; Sprint "Tri-It-On" swim starts 7:45 AM. Friday packet pickup 4–6 PM at The Hangout. Year 19 of this race. Registration open now.

That's Issue #17. 🎉

Two pickleball weekends back to back — Foundation Paddle Classic this Saturday, Rock and Roll Round Robin the weekend after. Five weekly group runs now that Fly Creek Trail Run has joined the lineup. And if Miles for Heroes is on your radar for Sept 26, the discount code's still good through the end of the month.

If you know of a group ride, open swim, yoga in the park, or any local fitness event we've missed — hit reply. And if someone in your life needs this in their inbox — a neighbor, a training partner, your Tuesday night Foley Run Club regular — send them to localmotionactive.com to subscribe.See you on the courts and the roads. 🌅

— Jason (and Tina 🏓)

Local Motion — From the Bay to the Beach. localmotionactive.com