Published: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 · 7:00 AM
👋 A Note from Jason
Quiet weekend on the local race calendar. Nothing in Baldwin County is on the schedule for Halloween, so the only thing I'm racing Saturday is the kids for the good candy.
Sunday is the NYC Marathon, and clocks fall back that morning, so you get the extra hour. ESPN2 has it from 7:00 AM Central, with the pro women starting at 7:35 and the pro men at 8:05. The elite men will cover the first mile before I find my other shoe.
If Magnolia Run is on your list, the price goes up after Friday, and packet pickup is Saturday, 9 to 2, at the South Baldwin Chamber in Foley. Then November stacks up fast: Magnolia Run and the Paddle & Racket Battle on the 7th, and a loaded 14th with the Spud Run, the Oyster 5K, Missions Madness, and Le Tour de Foley, followed by the Battleship 12K on the 15th.
Let's get into it. 👇
🤯 Wait — Did You See This?!?!
Holland America, the PPA Tour, and Major League Pickleball are putting on what they're calling the first professional pickleball invitational on a private island. It's set for Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas on March 13, 2027, during a seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise that leaves March 7. Four new courts are going in on the island for it.
If March feels too far away, four "Countdown Cruises" (Nov. 20, Dec. 12, Jan. 2, and Jan. 23) come with onboard pickleball, lessons, a pro clinic, and island play with PPA players. Which pros are aboard hasn't been announced, and neither have the players, format, or tickets for the invitational itself.
🔥 This Week's Top Picks
TCS New York City Marathon — Sun. Nov 1 · Pro women 7:35 AM CT, pro men 8:05 AM CT · ESPN2 (watch from the couch)
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
Barnwell Community Spud Run — Sat. Nov 14 · 8:00 AM · Barnwell Community Center, Fairhope
🏓 PICKLEBALL
🏓 Daylight saving ends this weekend, which gets me one extra hour of sleep to dream about hitting a perfect twoey.
🔥 This Weekend
Nothing on the local tournament calendar this weekend. Open play is going all week.
📅 Coming Up — November 7
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
🏃 Nothing resets my confidence like the first cool morning of fall. I feel fast for exactly one mile, and then I look at my watch.
🔥 This Weekend
Nothing on the local race calendar this Halloween weekend. If you're signed up for Magnolia Run, packet pickup is Sat. Oct. 31, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM at the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce in Foley.
📅 Coming up — November 7th
Magnolia Run 5K & 1-Mile — 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.
🗓️ Save the Date — November 14 & 15
Barnwell Community Spud Run — 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 — 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 — 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.
🗓️ Save the Date — Late November
Foley Turkey Trot — Sat. Nov 21 · 8:00 AM · Cheeseburger Randy's, 209 S Alston St, Foley (worth the drive) A 5K starting at Cheeseburger Randy's, benefiting The Dream Center, which serves individuals and families in need in Baldwin County. $30 for the 5K. ⚠️ The price goes up after Wed. Oct 21 at 12:00 PM, so tomorrow at noon is the cutoff for the lower rate.
Coastal Half Marathon, 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run — 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.
🗓️ Save the Date — January
5K 2027: Our Roots Run Deep — Sat. Jan 9, 2027 · 6925 Twin Beech Rd, Fairhope A 5K supporting Hope Community. $25 early-bird through Dec 4, then $35 (day-of registration opens at 6:30 AM on race day). ⚠️ The race start time isn't posted yet.
📌 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.
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. ⚠️ The shop lists this as a Spring/Summer ride, so check with Pro Cycle & Tri to see if it's still running this fall and what the start time is now that the days are getting shorter.
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. ⚠️ Also listed as Spring/Summer, so check with Pro Cycle & Tri on whether it's still running this fall and the current start time.
🗓️ Save the Date — November 14
Le Tour de Foley (new) — Sat. Nov 14 · 1250 Cater Lee Way, Foley (worth the drive) A charity bike ride, not a race, hosted by the Foley Lions Club. Choose 23 or 40 miles; e-bikes welcome. Registration includes a commemorative t-shirt. ⚠️ The start time and entry fee weren't posted where we looked — check the registration page.
🗓️ 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:
NYC Marathon — this Sunday, Nov. 1. The race marks 50 years on the five-borough course and 50 years of a pro elite field, and the course changes in the Bronx for the first time in 15 years. Hellen Obiri goes for a third title, which would put her alongside Grete Waitz, Mary Keitany, and Paula Radcliffe. Benson Kipruto, who won last year by three-hundredths of a second, is trying to be the first man to defend the title since John Kagwe in 1998. Sifan Hassan says she plans to be "the boss of New York." Watch on ESPN2 from 7:00 AM Central, with pro women starting at 7:35 and pro men at 8:05.
Worth the drive if you're training for a winter marathon:
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.
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.
Big Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Safari 5K (new) — Sat–Sun. Jan 30–31, 2027 · Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores (worth the drive). The marathon follows the paved trail system through Gulf State Park and is a USATF-certified Boston Qualifier. The weekend also has a half marathon, 5K, and an untimed family fun run. The 16-week training window for a Jan 30 race opened around Oct 10. ⚠️ Race-day schedule and current prices weren't posted where we looked — check RunSignup.
That's Issue #27. 🎉
Short version: Magnolia Run's price goes up Friday, NYC goes Sunday morning, and the first half of November is loaded. Prices also step up for the Battleship 12K after Nov. 9 and the Oyster 5K after Nov. 11, so put those dates somewhere you'll see them. I set three reminders for things like this and still miss one.
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