Published: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 · 7:00 AM
👋 A Note from Jason
Haunted Hustle takes over Gulf Shores this Saturday night: Wicked Walk Costume Parade at 6:00, Monster Mash Dash on the beach at 6:30, and the 5K at 7:00. Costumes encouraged. The parade and the Monster Mash Dash keep their lower prices through Friday at 11:59 PM, so don't sleep on those.
Closer to home, the Prodisee Pantry Turkey Trot lands in Daphne on Oct. 24, and November is stacking up fast. Magnolia Run (prices go up Oct. 30) and the Gulf Coast Paddle & Racket Battle in Daphne both go Nov. 7, and the Spud Run and Oyster Run share the 14th. Pick your Saturday.
Chicago went off Sunday, and Amos Kipruto won it in 2:01:09. I did the math: that's about 4:37 a mile for 26.2 miles. I couldn't hold 4:37 for the length of my driveway.
Quick correction from last week: the Port City Cold Weather Classic is Dec. 12–13 at Lott Park in Daphne, not the 11th–13th.
Let's get into it. 👇
🤯 Wait — Did You See This?!?!
Sunday's Chicago Marathon was a big day for American distance running. Three U.S. men finished in the top ten, led by Clayton Young, who ran 2:05:23 for seventh — just 40 seconds off Conner Mantz's American record of 2:04:43, set at last year's Chicago. Charles Hicks was right behind him in eighth (2:05:35), and Vincent Mauri took tenth (2:06:45). On the women's side, Emma Grace Hurley made her marathon debut and was the top American, running 2:20:47 for seventh overall.
🔥 This Week's Top Picks
Haunted Hustle 5K — Sat. Oct 17 · 7:00 PM · Gulf Place Town Green, Gulf Shores (worth the drive)
Prodisee Pantry Turkey Trot — Sat. Oct 24 · 8:00 AM · Daphne City Hall, Daphne
Magnolia Run 5K & 1-Mile — Sat. Nov 7 · 8:00 AM · Magnolia Springs
WKRG Gulf Coast Paddle & Racket Battle — Sat. Nov 7 · Daphne Tennis & Pickleball Complex, Daphne
🏓 PICKLEBALL
🏓 I say "my bad" more than any player in the history of Eastern Shore pickleball. Tina keeps a quiet running count of the ones where it actually was my bad. I'm told my lead is comfortable.
🔥 This Weekend
Nothing on the local tournament calendar this weekend. Open play is going all week.
🗓️ Save the Date — November
WKRG Gulf Coast Paddle & Racket Battle — Sat. Nov 7 · Daphne Tennis & Pickleball Complex, Daphne A charity doubles tournament presented by Baldwin Bone & Joint, benefiting RAPAHOPE, which supports children with cancer and their families. Men's and women's doubles, USA Pickleball sanctioned. Player registration opened Oct 1. ⚠️ Start time, divisions, and entry fees weren't posted where we looked — check the event site before you sign up.
🗓️ Save the Date — December
Port City Pickleball Cold Weather Classic — Sat–Sun. Dec 12–13 · Lott Park, 2000 Main St, Daphne A weekend tournament right here on the Eastern Shore: an Open Moneyball Division with a purse of up to $1,000, plus planned senior divisions for players 50 and over. $50 per player early-bird entry. ⚠️ The price goes up in early November (the listing gives both Nov 1 and Nov 9, so register before Nov 1 to be safe). Registration closes Dec 7.
📌 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) 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
🏃 Taper week is where I run less, rest more, and somehow feel more tired.
🔥 This Weekend
Haunted Hustle 5K — Sat. Oct 17 · Gulf Place Town Green, Gulf Shores (worth the drive) An evening Halloween lineup: Wicked Walk Costume Parade (6:00 PM), Monster Mash Dash on the beach (6:30 PM), then the Haunted Hustle 5K Run/Walk (7:00 PM). Costumes encouraged. ⚠️ The 5K's early price tier ended Sept 30; the Monster Mash Dash and Wicked Walk Parade hold their lower rates through Fri. Oct 16 at 11:59 PM. Packet pickup: Thu. Oct 15 at Bodenhamer Recreation Center (8 AM–3 PM), Fri. Oct 16 at Big Beach Brewing Company (4–7 PM), or race day at the Town Green (4–6 PM).
📌 Weekly Runs
Five ways to run — pick your night.
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 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.
📅 Coming Up — October 24th
Prodisee Pantry Turkey Trot (new) — Sat. Oct 24 · Daphne City Hall, 1705 Main St, Daphne 5K (8:00 AM, $25) and 1-Mile Fun Run (9:00 AM, $15) on a certified course through the heart of Daphne, benefiting Prodisee Pantry's food-assistance work on the Eastern Shore. ⚠️ Registration closes Oct 23 at 6:00 AM.
🗓️ Save the Date — November
Magnolia Run 5K & 1-Mile (new) — Sat. Nov 7 · 8:00 AM (5K) / 9:00 AM (1-Mile) · 14770 Oak Street, Magnolia Springs A USATF-certified 5K through Magnolia Springs, right here on the Eastern Shore. $35 for the 5K, $20 for the 1-mile fun run. A portion of registration benefits Impact Gulf Coast.
Barnwell Community Spud Run (new) — Sat. Nov 14 · 8:00 AM (5K) / 9:00 AM (Couch Potato Fun Run) · Barnwell Community Center, 13319 County Road 3, Fairhope A 5K plus a "Couch Potato" fun run, followed by a Barbecue & Spuds Festival with vendors, live music, brews, and bounce houses. $30 for the 5K; the fun run is $20 with a shirt or free without. Proceeds restore the historic Barnwell Community Center.
Foley Rotary Oyster 5K (new) — Sat. Nov 14 · 8:00 AM (5K) / 9:00 AM (1-Mile) · 121 W Orange St, Foley (worth the drive) The 33rd annual Oyster Run. 5K run/walk/wheelchair ($35) or 1-mile fun run ($25), with proceeds going to local charities including Alabama Sheriff's Boys Ranch and the South Baldwin Literacy Council. Same morning as the Spud Run, so — again — pick your Saturday. ⚠️ Price increases after Nov 11.
Keesler Federal Battleship 12K (new this issue) — Sun. Nov 15 · 8:00 AM · USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Spanish Fort The race the training-program flyer kept pointing to — now with its own confirmed date and registration. A 12K (7.45 miles) around Battleship Memorial Park, 2.5-hour time limit. ⚠️ $65 through Oct 5, price increases after.
Coastal Half Marathon, 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run (new this issue) — Sat. Nov 28 · Orange Beach Sportsplex (worth the drive) 19th annual. Half marathon, 5K, 1-mile fun run, or a virtual option. ⚠️ Early pricing ends Sept 18 — after that, prices go up for the half and the 5K.
Know of a group run we missed? Hit reply — we'll add it.
🚴 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.
🗓️ Save the Date — Thanksgiving Morning
16th Annual Turkey Fondo — Thu. Nov 26 · 8:00 AM · Pro Cycle & Tri, 510 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope An out-and-back group ride, self-paced — family-friendly or competitive, your call — to burn off some of the morning before the food starts. Suggested donation benefits the Fairhope Cycling Project. ⚠️ Distance and full route details not yet posted — check back closer to the date.
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
Nothing on the local multi-sport calendar since the Brett Robinson Triathlon wrapped up.
Know of an upcoming swim-bike-run event? Hit reply — we'll add it.
🏅 MARATHON WATCH
A recurring look at the Abbott World Marathon Majors and any regional marathons worth a training plan.
The Majors:
Chicago Marathon — Ran Sun. Oct 11. Amos Kipruto (Kenya) won the men's race in 2:01:09 — a 30-second personal best, the second-fastest time in Chicago history, and just 34 seconds off the course record. Defending champ Jacob Kiplimo faded to fourth. Hawi Feysa (Ethiopia) defended her women's title in 2:13:33, another PB, with Sharon Lokedi second in her Chicago debut and Brigid Kosgei third.
Boston Marathon 2027 — The cutoff is in: runners had to beat their qualifying standard by 5:17 to get a spot, which put the men's 18–34 mark at 2:49:43 and the women's at 3:19:43. A new random draw gives another 1,000 near-miss qualifiers a shot.
NYC Marathon — Sun. Nov 1, less than three weeks out. Two big names making their marathon debuts: world 10,000m bronze medalist Andreas Almgren and Weini Kelati.
Worth the drive if you're training for a winter marathon:
Mobile Marathon — Sun. Jan 10, 2027 · Mardi Gras Park, Mobile (worth the drive). The 16-week training window opened Sept 20 — if this is your race, you're a few weeks in or about to be.
Keesler Federal Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon — Sat–Sun. Dec 12–13, 2026 · Biloxi, MS (worth the drive). Full and half marathon distances. About eight and a half weeks out — if you haven't started building, the half is the more realistic target.
That's Issue #25. 🎉
Haunted Hustle takes over Gulf Shores on Saturday night, the Turkey Trot is next up in Daphne on the 24th, and November is shaping up as a month of picking your Saturday: Magnolia Run on the 7th, Spud Run and Oyster Run both on the 14th. Chicago delivered a fast one on Sunday, and NYC is just three weeks away.
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