Coastal Half Marathon
Thanksgiving weekend race on the paved Backcountry Trail through Gulf State Park, flat and traffic free before a final stretch along the Gulf highway.
Every link above goes to the race, its timing provider, or an official registration partner. Last checked July 28, 2026.
Quick facts
- Flat paved course built around the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf State Park.
- Staging, parking, and the start are all at the Orange Beach Sportsplex off Canal Road.
- Mild Gulf conditions make it a realistic late season target for a fast time.
- Long running coastal Alabama race with published results going back well over a decade.
2026 Coastal Half Marathon registration
Registration for the 2026 Coastal Half Marathon runs through the official registration page at runsignup.com.
About the Coastal Half Marathon
Gulf State Park's paved trail network is the draw here. The race has run on the Alabama coast since the late 2000s under a handful of sponsor names, and its Thanksgiving weekend slot catches the beach towns quiet and the summer humidity finally gone. Magic Sports USA, a regional triathlon promoter, produces it alongside a 5K and a one mile run.
Course
Runners leave the Orange Beach Sportsplex and spend most of the race on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, a paved path winding through pine and coastal scrub, then pick up a traffic free Gulf State Park road before a stretch on the beachfront highway. It is genuinely flat. The early trail sections are narrow, so getting out clean matters more than it does on a wide road course.
Race-day weather
Late November on the Alabama coast usually means a start in the 50s and a finish in the 60s, with a breeze coming off the Gulf. The trail miles are shaded, but the highway stretch near the end has no cover at all.
Past Coastal Half Marathon dates and results
| Year | Date | Status | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, November 28, 2026 | Upcoming | — |
Coastal Half Marathon FAQ
When is the Coastal Half Marathon?
The 2026 Coastal Half Marathon is on Saturday, November 28, 2026.
How do I register for the Coastal Half Marathon?
Register for the Coastal Half Marathon through the official registration link: marathonscout.com/go/coastal-half-marathon/register. It opens the race registration page at runsignup.com.
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