Beach to Bay: Here's what to know before heading to the 45th coastal marathon

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times

May 18, 2022 at 9:25 AM·5 min read

Corpus Christi will soon be inundated with more than 8,000 runners attending the 45th Beach to Bay Relay Marathon.

After a two-year break, the relay event will begin Saturday on North Padre Island, cross the Laguna Madre along the JFK Causeway, then travel through the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi and finish on Shoreline Boulevard.

The first marathon was held in 1975 as a way for the community to honor the nation's military. Nearly 50 years later, the tradition continues with the race being held on Armed Forces Days annually.

Racers take part in the fifth leg of the 44th annual Beach to Bay on Saturday, May 18, 2019.

Saturday's forecast will be mostly sunny with a high near 95, according to the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi.

In a release, Beach to Bay race director Doug McBee said there are water-stops throughout the race, but he encourages participants carry water with them in the event they need extra hydration.

What's new to Beach to Bay?

A two-person relay event was added after requests.

It will not be a half marathon. The first person will start at Leg 1 and end at the beginning of Leg 4. The second runner will begin their trek at Leg 4 and finish along Shoreline Boulevard.

Another addition is a full marathon for one runner. That's 26.2 miles of nonstop movement.

Race participants wait for the start of the 44th annual Beach to Bay on Saturday, May 18, 2019.

McBee said local athletes requested the option.

"On the race application we requested marathoners have some previous experience in running marathons," McBee said. "We requested four previous marathons, thinking this would be a nice round number. I wanted to be secure in the fact that they knew what they were getting themselves into."

More: Here's your guide to street closures during the 45th Beach to Bay Relay Marathon

What are the legs for the marathon?

Leg 1: Starts at JP Luby Beach, south of Zahn Road, and ends at Packery Channel Park. It is 4.99 miles.

Leg 2: Starts at Packery Channel Park. Runners will leave the beach onto Zahn Road, State Highway 361 and Park Road 22 southbound lanes. It will end below the Intracoastal Bridge Causeway Bridge. It is 3 miles.

Leg 3: Starts below the Intracoastal Bridge Causeway and ends along Waldron Road near NAS Drive. It is 4.36 miles.

The map for the 45th Beach to Bay Relay Marathon taking place Saturday, May 21, 2022.

Leg 4: Starts along Waldron Road near NAS Drive and ends outside the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi north gate on Ocean Drive. It is 4.6 miles.

Leg 5: Starts outside the NASCC north gate on Ocean Drive and ends on the west side of Swantner Park. It is 4.2 miles.

Leg 6: Starts on the west side of Swantner Park and ends at the finish line at McCaughan Park. It is 5.07 miles.

Where can I watch?

McBee said spectators are recommended to watch the marathon at the end of the race at McCaughan Park.

"That's the best place," McBee said. "I'm not going to recommend any other place because there could be safety hazards. At the finish line, we know it will be out of everyone's way."

Racers take off at the start of the 44th annual Beach to Bay on Saturday, May 18, 2019.

Viewers usually arrive around 10 a.m., but McBee advised arriving earlier to avoid traffic.

Parking will be provided at Church of the Good Shepherd and First United Methodist Church, along with a smaller lot at IBC Bank in downtown Corpus Christi.

Signs and individuals will direct people into various lots. Most lots will charge a fee of $5 per car to park. The fee is a donation that goes to groups providing parking.

Will there be transportation for the runners?

In partnership with the city of Corpus Christi and the Texas Department of Transportation, buses will be made available free to runners to travel to North Padre Island and back.

First- and second-leg runners can board buses at Sunrise Mall. The bus service for Leg 1 runners is scheduled for 4:45 to 5:15 a.m. Leg 2 runners will board from 5:15 to 6 a.m.

Parking will be free at Sunrise Mall for bus riders, and buses will return runners to the mall after their leg is complete.

Third-leg runners will board on Security Drive by the Flour Bluff Post Office. Parking and security will be available for runners at the lots behind Compton Road. The bus schedule is from 6:30 to 6:45 a.m.

Race participants bored busses at the Sunrise Mall for the 44th annual Beach to Bay on Saturday, May 18, 2019.

The buses will not pick runners up to return to the parking lot. Leg 3 ends at Naval Air Station Drive and Waldron Road. Runners are within walking distance to the designated parking behind Compton Road.

All fourth-leg runners may park at the same location and walk to their starting point. There will be a designated area for boarding a bus to return Leg 4 runners to their vehicle after their stint.

For Leg 5, parking is available at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Buses will take runners to the NAS North Gate. The bus service will run from 8 to 8:45 a.m.

Buses will not return to take runners back to TAMU-CC.

No bus service will be provided for Leg 6. Carpooling with teammates is encouraged, a release said.

Other information

Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront will not offer classes or running events Saturday to accommodate for Beach to Bay. The fitness classes will resume from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28.
Parents with children are more than welcome to run alongside their child, but must be wearing a Parent BIB.
Persons with disabilities requiring a provider must have their provider wearing a Parent BIB.
During Leg 4, parents of children will not be allowed to ride a bicycle along their child.
During Leg 4, no one will be allowed access to NASCC unless they are a runner or have a Parent BIB.
All race participants will be scored by Chip Timing Technology. The only runner required to wear the chip will be the last runner.

For more information, visit beachtobayrelay.com.