Registration for the 2024 Grayt Jackalope 10 & 5-Miler, formerly the Grayton Beach Kous Kouri, is OPEN!!! The Grayt Jackalope will be taking place on Saturday, Novermber 30, 2024 starting at 8:00a at the Grayton Beach State Park trailhead, located in the gravel parking lot on the north side of CR-30A (just prior to the bridge spanning Western Lake).
This will be year #8 of this fantastic race, we just gave it a new name and tweaked the distances a little. We've denied the short course folks a view of Western Lake for long enough! By adding a mile, the short course will now get to complete the "Lake Loop." We're anticipating that this will be the best year yet!
Race HQ: Beach Camp Brew Pub in Grayton Beach will once again serve as the race HQ.
NOTE: PLEASE ensure that you come to the Beach Camp in Grayton Beach and N-O-T the one in Destin :)
Course: The Grayt Jackalope will start and finish at the Grayton Beach State Park trailhead (gravel parking lot on CR- 30A), with both the 10 and 5-mile courses taking place exclusively on their fantastic (and fantastically beautiful) trail system!
Course maps can be found at: https://www.runrotorhead30a.com/grayt-jackalope-10-and-5-miler
10-Mile Runners/Walkers. 10-Mile runners will start promptly at 8:00a. 10-Mile walkers are free to start their race up to one hour early...so 7:00a. NOTE: We'll say it early and often: Walkers who choose to start early MUST check-in with race staff before taking off - this is for accountability purposes.
5-Mile Runners. 5-Mile runners will start promptly at 8:10a.
NOTE: Runners will have to walk from the ~.6 of a mile from Beach Camp Brew Pub, or whatever parking spot they find along 30A, to the race start. Please plan accordingly. If you plan on a pre-race potty stop, factor that in too!
Terrain: While on the trails you can expect tree roots, rocks, sand, fallen over trees, and potentially, if there's rain, standing water and mud. In other words, pure awesomeness!!! Again, I just wanted to discuss the terrain so no one shows up on race day expecting a groomed running path with no trip hazards and with aspirations of going home with clean shoes. Simply put, not gonna happen!
Awards/Post-Race Social: After finishing your race, head back to Beach Camp Brew Pub for the awards + post-race social, which will be kicking off at ~10:30a. On the specific topic of awards...we'll definitely be handing some out! There will be awards for the the men’s and women’s winners and runner ups for both the 10-mile and 5-mile courses. As always with our races, age group awards are also provided to the first place through third place finishers from each age group. All registered runners who cross the finish line for their respective race will receive a suitably cool finisher’s award.
As far as particulars with regards to the post-race social, all registered runners with a bib will receive TWO beers (or non-alcoholic beverages) + discounted vittles. Your bib will have two tabs across the bottom: these tabs are what will get you the beer(s) or non-alcoholic beverages, so be sure to hang on to your bib!!! NOTE: if you do wish to partake in the beers, you must have a valid ID on you to get served! And as already alluded to, if beer is not your thing, they will also have a full selection of non-alcoholic beverages, i.e. soft drinks, tea, coffee, etc.
Packet Pick-up: Early packet pick-up will be at Beach Camp in Grayton Beach on Friday, November 29th from 4-6p. If you can't make it on Friday, no worries, there will also be packet pick-up on race morning at Beach Camp starting at 7:00a. Registered runners can also expect discounts on their meal, should they partake in dinner at Beach Camp at Friday's early packet pick-up.
Awesome race swag as always! This year all registered runners will receive the official Grayt Jackalope long-sleeve race shirt.
Promo Codes: ACTIVE-DUTY military, police, sheriff's deputies, fire, and paramedics, please use the HERO1 promo code to receive 25% off your registration. RETIRED military, police, sheriff's deputies, fire, and paramedics, please use the HERO promo code to receive 15% off your registration. All of the local-area middle school + high track and cross-country team runners and staff can get 10% off by using the SCHOOL promo code. Area running clubs should have their own code for 10% off: 30AWALKRUN LULU RUNDESTIN NWFLTC HAMMERDOWN FLTFTINLETBCH. Also, if you want to run but the registration fee will TRULY set you back financially, please know that a few registrations have been set aside for such situations. Please contact us at RunRotorhead30a@gmail.com and we'll get you taken care of.
NOTE: Should none of the above discounts apply to you, PLEASE don’t reach out and ask for a special discount for your particular profession. Fact is, our prices are already discounted. Race management is all prior military, so there's a special place in our hearts for military and first responders – hence the additional discount. And we also try to support the local running community.
Parking on Race Morning: Runners can park at Beach Camp, or any established parking spots in the vicinity along 30A. It is a roughly .6 of a mile walk to the start line, so please plan accordingly. Parking is also available in the grassy area to the west of the trailhead parking lot. We'd prefer that everyone park at Beach Camp and just make the walk, but...up to you.
Alright, so one last time, here's the race schedule in its entirety...
Friday, November 29th
4:00p: Early packet pick-up commences at Beach Camp Grayton Beach
6:00p: Early packet pick-up ends
Saturday, November 30th
7:00a: Race day packet pick-up begins + doors of Beach Camp unlocked for bathroom use
7:00a: 10-mile walkers may commence their race (ONLY after checking in with race staff)
7:30a: Online registration closes
7:45a: Packet pick-up ends / pre-race ceremony begins (at start line)
8:00a: 10-mile race commences
8:10a: 5-mile race commences
10:30a: Post-race social / awards ceremony begins at Beach Camp
I’ll be providing updates as needed on the Rotorhead 30A Running Co Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/runrotorhead30a/ - be sure to give us a “Like” while you’re there! I'll also send at least one email in the days prior to the race which will include any last-minute race information. Of course, additional emails will be sent as necessary. Don't fret if you don't see many updates: that just means that everything is going smoothly!
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at RunRotorhead30A@gmail.com
It should be a fantastic morning...hope to see you out there!!!
A portion of the proceeds from the Grayt Jackalope will go to Caring and Sharing of South Walton - a local organization doing incredible things for those in need in South Walton. For more info, check them out online at https://caringandsharingsowal.org