What you need to know about 2019 Beach to Bay this weekend

Corpus Christi, Texas – On Saturday, May 1, 2019 at 7:00 a.m., thousands of runners and spectators from all over the United States will flock to Padre Bali Park on Padre Island for the 44th annual Running of the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon.

The Beach to Bay Relay Marathon is a 26.2 course sanctioned by the Corpus
Christi Roadrunners. (The Corpus Christi Roadrunners a non for profit running club founded in 1975) It has been deemed the United States most premier relay running marathon, since there is not one of its size and magnitude. The event is divided into six legs that are approximately 4.4 miles. Each participant will run one leg and hand a baton to his or her team member at various official exchange points.

The Beach to Bay Relay Marathon was founded in 1975 by Naval Captain John Alden Butterfield who came to Corpus Christi after serving in Iran.Butterfield organized the first ever “Armed Forces Day Beach to Bay RelayMarathon, and the race has been growing in popularity ever since. All monies raised from the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon serve over 45 local charities such as Special Olympics, the Naval Relief Society and many youth organizations here in the Coastal Bend.

Race Director, Doug McBee Jr. says, “the loyalty for the event isoverwhelming. I like to refer to the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon as theAdult’s Spring Break”. “It takes many volunteers, many of which spend anenormous amount of their personal time to put this race together. It iswith their dedication that the race has flourished.” states McBee.

For more detailed information along with a media packet, please visit the official website for the race at www.beachtobayrelay.com

Traffic Plan

Also, the City of Corpus Christi Traffic Engineering office advises residents and businesses starting at 4 a.m. Saturday, May 18 the following traffic control plan will be implemented for the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon:

• Southbound Park Road 22, between the JFK Causeway Bridge and Access Road 5, will be reduced to one lane.
• Northbound Park Road 22, approaching the JFK Causeway Bridge and over the bridge, will be reduced to one lane.
• Northbound Park Road 22, between the JFK Causeway Bridge and the Waldron Road Exit, the shoulder will be closed. During this time the Waldron Road Exit will also be closed.
• Waldron Road, between Northbound SPID Frontage Road and Naval Air Station Drive, will be closed.
• Northbound NAS Drive, between Waldron Road and Corpus Christi South Gate, the shoulder will be closed.
• Northbound Ocean Drive between Sand Dollar Boulevard and Buford Street will be reduced to one lane.
• Northbound and southbound Shoreline Boulevard, between Buford Street Coopers Alley, will be closed until after the event.
• Some side streets along the route will be closed.

Closures will start at 4 a.m. and open immediately after the race, except for the Shoreline Boulevard closure, which will open after the event is over.

The city wants to remind drivers to use caution when driving near the race route and follow detour signs. Motorists should expect delays and if possible, please seek alternate routes or even avoid the area. Access to local driveways will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.   

For more information, please visit www.beachtobayrelay.com or contact Traffic Engineering at 826-3547.