Big Beach Marathon
Big Beach Marathon race day weather
Cool temps, headwinds early
Runners will face temperatures rising from 58°F to 59°F during the race, with a max wind of 15 mph from the ENE creating headwinds from miles 2-7 and 9, and again from miles 18-21. The high humidity at 72% suggests a conservative pace is wise, especially in the first half. Tailwinds from miles 12-27 will provide relief for the latter stages, making it a strategic advantage.
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Big Beach Marathon route and elevation
The Big Beach Marathon course has about 130 ft (40 m) of climbing and 124 ft (38 m) of descent, and finishes near the elevation it starts. It is flatter than 83% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time. It has no steep miles: no mile climbs more than 30 ft (9 m).
What the hills cost
The hills change finish times by less than 0.2% here, under half a minute for a 4:00 runner.
Hills only, priced mile by mile on the course map. The pace calculator above adds the race-day weather.
Even-effort splits for a 3:30, 4:00 or 4:30 finish
| Mile | Climb | Descent | 3:30 | 4:00 | 4:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 ft | 6 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:16 |
| 2 | 22 ft | 11 ft | 8:05 | 9:15 | 10:24 |
| 3 | 18 ft | 26 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:14 |
| 4 | 12 ft | 8 ft | 8:03 | 9:12 | 10:21 |
| 5 | 29 ft | 23 ft | 8:02 | 9:11 | 10:20 |
| 6 | 17 ft | 26 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:14 |
| 7 | 11 ft | 15 ft | 7:59 | 9:08 | 10:16 |
| 8 | 6 ft | 2 ft | 8:02 | 9:11 | 10:20 |
| 9 | 7 ft | 4 ft | 8:02 | 9:10 | 10:19 |
| 10 | 8 ft | 10 ft | 7:59 | 9:08 | 10:17 |
| 11 | 7 ft | 6 ft | 8:01 | 9:10 | 10:18 |
| 12 | 0 ft | 4 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:16 |
| 13 | 6 ft | 10 ft | 7:59 | 9:08 | 10:16 |
| 14 | 20 ft | 19 ft | 8:01 | 9:09 | 10:18 |
| 15 | 24 ft | 13 ft | 8:05 | 9:15 | 10:24 |
| 16 | 15 ft | 25 ft | 7:57 | 9:05 | 10:14 |
| 17 | 2 ft | 3 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:16 |
| 18 | 0 ft | 0 ft | 8:00 | 9:09 | 10:17 |
| 19 | 1 ft | 0 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:18 |
| 20 | 1 ft | 1 ft | 8:01 | 9:09 | 10:17 |
| 21 | 7 ft | 13 ft | 7:58 | 9:07 | 10:15 |
| 22 | 10 ft | 2 ft | 8:04 | 9:13 | 10:22 |
| 23 | 2 ft | 3 ft | 7:59 | 9:08 | 10:17 |
| 24 | 4 ft | 3 ft | 8:00 | 9:09 | 10:17 |
| 25 | 1 ft | 2 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:17 |
| 26 | 6 ft | 2 ft | 8:02 | 9:11 | 10:20 |
| Last 0.2 | 2 ft | 3 ft | 1:47 | 2:02 | 2:17 |
Explore the Big Beach Marathon course with the weather and your pace along the route, or compare it with other races.
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About the Big Beach Marathon
The Big Beach Marathon and Half Marathon are run in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with the start and finish beside the Gulf of Mexico at The Hangout. The flat, fully paved courses follow the trails and boardwalks of Gulf State Park. The marathon is a USATF-certified Boston Qualifier. A 5K is held the day before.