Runners and walkers looking for a festive way to kick off the Labor Day weekend can lace up for the 10th Annual Bloody Mary Competitive 5K Run/Walk/One Mile Fun Run, set for Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 a.m. at Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores.
The race, now a decade-long tradition along the Alabama Gulf Coast, sends participants on an out-and-back course through Waterway Village, the pedestrian-friendly district near the canal in downtown Gulf Shores. The route offers runners a scenic path through one of the city’s most walkable areas before finishing back at Tacky Jacks.
A Growing Tradition
Interest in the event has grown steadily over the years. More than 400 runners took part in last year’s race, making it one of the more popular community road races on the Baldwin County calendar heading into the fall season. Organizers expect another strong turnout for the milestone 10th edition.
The event welcomes both competitive runners and casual participants. Along with the timed 5K, a One Mile Fun Run gives families, walkers and less-experienced runners a chance to take part without the pressure of a competitive pace. Race day registration will be available for anyone who wants to sign up the morning of the event, though pre-race registration is also open online for runners who prefer to secure their spot in advance.
Awards, Team Spirit and School Colors
True to its name and long-running format, the race will feature all the usual awards recognizing top finishers. Organizers are also continuing the event’s traditional team spirit awards, encouraging participants to wear their favorite school colors for a chance at individual prizes. The tradition has become one of the signature touches that sets the Tacky Jacks race apart from other regional 5Ks, turning the morning into as much a community showcase of school pride as a competitive run.
Packet Pickup and Race-Day Details
Runners can pick up their race packets early on Friday, Sept. 4, at Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores between 4 and 6:30 p.m. Packet pickup will also be available on race morning starting at 6 a.m., an hour and a half before the starting gun, for those who prefer to grab their materials the day of the event.
Once the running is done, the celebration continues. Post-race festivities will include beer, food and, fittingly, Bloody Marys, giving finishers a chance to relax and socialize at Tacky Jacks after the course wraps up. The combination of a competitive morning run followed by a laid-back coastal celebration has helped make the event a fixture of the late-summer calendar in Gulf Shores.
With registration open online ahead of race day and race-day sign-up also available, organizers are encouraging both first-time participants and longtime regulars to join the milestone 10th anniversary run through Waterway Village on Sept. 5.