Local Motion | Issue #28

Published: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 · 7:00 AM

👋 A Note from Jason

A guy named Andreas Almgren won the NYC Marathon on Sunday in his first marathon ever, in 2:06:01. That works out to about 4:48 a mile for 26 miles. I would like to run 4:48 once, for any distance.

Back here on the Shore, this Saturday has two good ones: the Magnolia Run in Magnolia Springs and the Paddle & Racket Battle in Daphne. Then the calendar gets crowded. The Battleship 12K price goes up after Monday, Nov. 9, the Oyster 5K after Nov. 11, and the Spud Run closes Nov. 13, so I'd put those dates on your fridge.

Let's get into it. 👇

The NYC Marathon was Sunday, and Sweden's Andreas Almgren won the men's race in 2:06:01 in his marathon debut. Italy's Yemaneberhan Crippa was second, 13 seconds back.

On the women's side, Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui won in 2:24:36, and American Jess McClain finished second, six seconds behind her. McClain is the first American woman on the NYC podium since Shalane Flanagan in 2018. That wraps up the 2026 Marathon Majors.

🔥 This Week's Top Picks

🏓 PICKLEBALL

🏓 Every ball at open play is a perfectly good ball until I mishit one. Then it's suddenly "a little dead" or "kind of squirrelly."

🔥 This Weekend

WKRG Gulf Coast Paddle & Racket Battle — Sat. Nov 7 · Daphne Tennis & Pickleball Complex, Daphne A charity doubles tournament presented by Baldwin Bone & Joint, benefiting Camp Rapahope, which supports children with cancer and their families. USA Pickleball sanctioned, with men's and women's doubles. ⚠️ Start time, divisions, and entry fees weren't posted where we looked, so check the event site before you sign up or show 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

🏃 The most strategic decision of any race morning is picking which porta-potty line is actually moving. I have never once picked right.

🔥 This Weekend

🔥 This Weekend

Magnolia Run 5K & 1-Mile — Sat. Nov 7 · 8:00 AM (5K) / 9:00 AM (1-Mile) · Jesse's Restaurant, 14770 Oak Street, Magnolia Springs A USATF-certified 5K through Magnolia Springs, right here on the Eastern Shore, with a 1-mile fun run too. A portion of registration benefits Impact Gulf Coast. Race-day packet pickup is 6:30–7:30 AM at the Magnolia Springs Community Hall. ⚠️ Prices went up after Oct 30 (they were $35 for the 5K and $20 for the 1-mile) and the new amounts weren't posted where we looked, so check RunSignup for the current price.

🗓️ Coming Up — 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.

Missions Madness 5K Mud Run & 2-Mile Fun Run — Sat. Nov 14 · 8:30 AM · 23030 Wolf Bay Dr, Foley (worth the drive) A mud run at Wolf Bay. The 5K ($40, ages 10 and up, timed) starts at 8:30 AM with waves every 10 minutes, so plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. The 2-mile fun run ($30) is untimed. Funds support missions work. Registration runs through race day (Nov 14, 11:59 PM). Heads-up: don't turn in at the main park entrance by the office. Drive about half a mile farther and the race area is on the right.

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.

🗓️ Coming Up — November 21st

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.

🗓️ Save the Date — Thanksgiving Week

Turkey Trot for Hope — Thu. Nov 26 · 8:00 AM (5K) / 9:00 AM (1-Mile "Gobble Wobble") · 104–148 S Royal St, Mobile (worth the drive) A Thanksgiving morning 5K and 1-mile fun run in downtown Mobile benefiting Rapahope, which runs free year-round camp programs for families affected by childhood cancer. ⚠️ Entry fees weren't posted where we looked, so check the registration page.

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.

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 #28. 🎉

The Magnolia Run and the Paddle & Racket Battle are this Saturday, followed by a packed Nov. 14–15. Price bumps are coming after the 9th (Battleship 12K), the 11th (Oyster 5K), and the 13th (Coastal Half). Write those dates down now. I'm told "I'll remember" isn't a system. I'm still using it.

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