Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  The Coastal Half Marathon, 5K, and 1-Mile Fun Run return to Orange Beach for a post-Thanksgiving weekend tradition of coastal racing. Now in its 19th year, the gathering offers three race distances routed entirely along the area's award-winning backcountry trails. All three courses feature a flat elevation profile, with an average temperature of 61°F. 

Team Magic (Magic Sports) produces the event, and the half marathon is an official Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Championship event. The event materials also include USA Triathlon (USAT) sanctioning guidelines, which outline standard license requirements ($15 for a one-day adult license, $10 for youth, or $50 for an annual membership).

Race activities take place at the Orange Beach Sportsplex, located at 4385 William Silvers Pkwy., just off Canal Road. Early registration and packet pickup are open on Friday, Nov. 27, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. as walk-up only (no drive-thru service). On race day, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, registration and check-in run from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. The half marathon begins at 8:00 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8:10 a.m. and the 1-Mile Fun Run at 8:20 a.m. A post-race party and awards ceremony will follow from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Overall awards will honor the top three finishers across the male, female, and non-binary divisions, along with first-place awards for male and female runners in the masters (40+), grand masters (50+), and senior grand masters (60+) categories. Standard age-group awards will recognize the top three male and female finishers in the Under 14 bracket, standard five-year increments from 15–19 through 85–89, and the 90+ division. The half marathon also features distinct RRCA Championship awards across four divisions: Open Male & Female, 40+ Male & Female, 50+ Male & Female, and 60+ Male & Female.

All participants must present a photo ID and pick up their own packets in person. A virtual race option is available for any distance, listed at $50 on the official running schedule. Volunteers assisting from event setup through teardown can earn credit toward future race entries with the organizer. Full registration details, tiered price schedules, and trail course maps are available online at magicsportsusa.com/events/coastal-run.