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Round the Bay Relay and Ultra

December 27, 2025
December 27, 2025 The Elks Lodge on Okaloosa Island - 1335 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL US 32548

COURSE INFORMATION

TURN BY TURN DIRECTIONS

Start: Turn left onto Highway 293 (use the Matthew Blvd/Publix cut-through), also known as Danny Wuerffel Way or Mid-Bay Bridge Road.

Bridge: After crossing the bridge and passing through the toll area, continue about 30 yards north. Follow the sidewalk on the left to White Point Road.

Mile 16.4: Turn left onto State Road 20. The first ULTRA aid station will be located in the Hurricane's parking lot just before you make the left onto SR 20.

Mile 21: Turn right and cross Highway 20 (in Niceville) to Highway 85 South, heading toward Fort Walton Beach.

Mile 35: Follow the sidewalk and turn left onto Perry Road in Fort Walton Beach. Perry Road will take you to Highway 98. Be cautious as you pass through the bridge construction area.

Mile 36.8: Turn left into the Elks Lodge parking lot and follow the cones to the finish line.

AID STATIONS

There will be three aid stations along the course, each stocked with basic medical supplies, water, Coke, M&M’s, and pretzels.

Aid Station #1: Hurricanes (mile 16)

Aid Station #2: Bayou Plaza (mile 23) – Sponsored by SELECT PHYSICAL THERAPY

Aid Station #3: Sunset Liquors parking lot (mile 30)

If you’d like to have a drop-off bag at any of these aid stations, please bring it to packet pickup on Friday night.

RACE COURSE RULES & SAFETY INFORMATION

The race will be run on the inside of the course, utilizing sidewalks and bike lanes. Please note that no roads will be closed, so safety is paramount throughout the event. Bicycles are not permitted for pacing.

Visibility is Key: Always make sure that cars see you before crossing in front of them, especially on side streets. Vehicles may turn right without looking left, so position yourself where drivers can clearly see you.

Road Crossings: There are three key locations where you’ll need to cross roads with oncoming traffic:

  • Mile 26: Just south of the airport, you’ll cross the overpass entrance for cars heading toward Crestview. These cars travel at speeds of 55-60 mph, so be sure you have enough time to cross safely.
  • Mile 35 (Perry Road): You’ll cross two locations on Perry Road within a 100-yard stretch, where one lane of oncoming traffic will merge right. Stay alert during these crossings.

Contact Info: If you encounter any issues or need to drop out, please text or call 850-830-6179. 

Post-Race Celebration: After the race, don’t miss the post-race food, drinks, and music! Ultra runners will be announced at 1:00 PM, so stick around to celebrate with us.

Course Marking: Turn signs will be posted at all turns except for Perry Road, so stay alert and follow the course carefully.

Ear buds, headphones and music are discouraged due to safety reasons. No bicycles, strollers or dogs shall be used

The 15th Annual Round the Bay Relay and Ultra originally had six legs covering the roads around scenic Choctawhatchee Bay in beautiful Northwest Florida.

** You may still use those legs or choose your own based on the number of runners on your team.

It helps when the relay team exchange zones are spread out around the course.

MAPMYRUN
 
Race Leg #1:
ELKS LODGE TO FUD (Destin)(8.8 Miles)

Hints:

  • The exchange zone is located back at the original Relay stop, at the entrance to Fudpuckers.
  • Stay on Highway 98 the entire leg.
  • Avoid pulling vehicles off into the sand areas beside the road, especially on Okaloosa Island.

Mile-by-Mile:

  • Mile 3.9: Destin Bridge – Use the sidewalk after crossing the bridge.
  • Caution: Runners will be using sidewalks through Destin, so be careful when crossing intersections.
  • Mile 4.7: McGuire’s parking lot.
  • Mile 7.8: Continue on the sidewalk past The Track. Run straight to Fud's on Highway 98. Support vehicles will pass Fud's, then turn left at the next light onto Triumph Road. From there, you can turn left into the Fudpucker’s/Fat Daddy's parking lot.

For Support Vehicles:

  • Ensure vehicles are pulled completely into parking lots to avoid congestion at exchange zones.
  • Always be alert for runners, and exercise caution when exiting parking lots.
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Race Leg #2: Destin Fudpucker’s to Hurricane’s (7.6 Miles)

Hints:

  • The exchange zone is located in Hurricane’s parking lot.

Course Directions:

  1. Follow Highway 20 on the sidewalk to Matthew Blvd, located between Wells Fargo Bank and Starbucks.
  2. Turn left onto Matthew Blvd, stay on the right side of the roundabout, and run through the parking lot to Bonefish Grill.
  3. Once through the parking lot, turn left onto the sidewalk beside Danny Wuerffel Way (at Bonefish Grill) and continue on Highway 293 toward the Mid-Bay Bridge.

Caution:

  • The narrow bridge entry creates a pinch point—use extreme caution when approaching.
  • Bridge Toll Booth: Vehicles must pay the toll, but runners are free.

For Vehicles:

  • After passing through the toll booth, go 0.1 miles, take the exit to the right, then turn left at the stop sign (0.4 miles after the toll booth).
  • Drive under the overpass and continue to White Point Road (0.9 miles from the toll booth). Turn left onto White Point Road and head to the cul-de-sac for a water stop. This is a great spot to meet your runner and cheer on others.

For Runners:

  • After crossing the bridge, take the sidewalk that turns left onto White Point Road. Your team can meet you there for water.

  • Continue running on the sidewalk up White Point Road. Vehicles will be driving along this road as well.

  • Mile 7.5: Turn left into Hurricane’s parking lot for the exchange zone.

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Race Leg #3: Hurricane’s to Bayou Plaza (6.6 Miles)

Course Directions:

  • Run on the sidewalk beside Highway 20.

Caution:

  • There is no sidewalk from Lancaster Road to Rocky Bayou Bridge (miles 2.4-2.8). Runners must use the bike lane during this section.
  • Pick up the sidewalk again after crossing the bridge for the remainder of the leg.

Mile-by-Mile:

  • Mile 4.9: Major intersection—cross Palm Ave.
  • Mile 6.6: Bayou Plaza will be the exchange point. Vehicles should turn left into Bayou Plaza at the red light.
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Relay Leg #4: Bayou Plaza to NW Florida Regional Airport (3.3 Miles) – Cargo Delivery Parking Area

Race Hints:

  • The exchange zone is located in the north parking lot of the airport or under the overpass area.

Course Directions:

  1. Use the red light to cross Highway 20. DO NOT cut across Highway 230 before reaching the red light.
  2. Run on the sidewalk on the left side of the road, heading up the hill on Highway 85 South toward Fort Walton Beach.

Caution:

  • Mile 1.4: The sidewalk ends before the bike lane begins. Use caution as you transition onto the bike lane.
  • Pick up the bike lane at the Valparaiso Triangle, but be sure to cross the exit road carefully.

Airport Instructions:

  • DO NOT enter the main airport entrance area at any time, whether as a runner or in a vehicle.
  • After runners make the exchange, the new runner will continue south on the service road.
  • Runners approaching the airport on 85 South should stay on the left side of the road and turn left onto the airport service road. The exchange zone is located at the entrance to the Cargo Delivery (north parking lot) area, which will be on the runner’s left. DO NOT RUN ON THE OVERPASS!

For Race Support Vehicles:

  • Vehicles must take the off-ramp to the right before the overpass (follow signs to the airport).
  • After exiting right, turn left at the stop sign and follow signs for Cargo Delivery.
    • Turn left (20 yards) and right (50 yards) to enter the Cargo Delivery parking area (just before the EXPLORE FLORIDA sign).
    • The exchange zone is located at the entrance to the Cargo Delivery area.

To Exit Cargo Delivery Area:

  • Follow signs for 85 South (Ft. Walton Beach) out of the parking lot.
  • At the stop sign on the service road, go straight across and under the overpass. At the next stop sign, turn left heading south.
  • Continue 100 yards, then turn left to merge back onto Highway 85 South.
  • Alternatively, you can drive north on the service road and make a U-turn to head back south on 85.
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Relay Leg #5:Relay Leg #5: Airport to Shalimar Elementary School (4.6 Miles)

Race Hints:

  • The exchange zone is located at the entrance to Shalimar Elementary School.

Course Directions:

  1. Caution: At Mile 1.1, while running south, you’ll need to cross the northbound exit ramp to Crestview.
  2. At Mile 3.0, after passing the Armament Museum, continue on the left side of the overpass bridge. DO NOT CUT ACROSS Highway 85.
  3. Mile 4.6: Turn left into Shalimar Elementary School.

For Vehicles:

  • Park in the school drop-off lanes, moving cars forward to allow other vehicles to enter, just like at school!
  • Runners will not enter the school parking lot; they will remain on the bike lane or sidewalk.

Exit Directions:

  • Exit the school area following the school signs to 12th Avenue.
  • Turn right on 12th Avenue, then left at the red light (100 yards down), turning left/south on Highway 85 South/Eglin Parkway. This is the same road the race leg followed.
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Relay Leg #6: Shalimar Elementary to Elks Lodge (5.8 Miles)

Race Hints:

  • Experienced runner needed for this leg!

For Vehicles:

  • Follow the school road and turn right onto 12th Avenue, then turn left at the red light onto Highway 85 South.

Course Directions:

  • Caution: At Mile 1.1, when crossing Shalimar Bridge, be mindful of fishermen and their gear. There is a narrow bike lane on the inside of the bridge.
  • Mile 2.4: You can use the parallel service road to the bridge.
  • Mile 2.8: Cinco Bayou Bridge—watch for fishermen and gear.
  • Mile 3.5: Uptown Station area—high traffic zone.
  • Caution: At Mile 4.2, turn left onto Perry Avenue. Be careful crossing two oncoming streets.

Brooks Bridge Construction:

  • As we get closer to race day, more detailed information will be provided regarding the ongoing Brooks Bridge construction.

  • Continue on Highway 98, cross Brooks Bridge (a major intersection), and head toward the Elks Lodge at Mile 5.8.

  • Turn left into the Elks Lodge parking lot to reach the finish.

Finish Line:

  • For safety reasons, the Elks Lodge parking lot is a No Pass Area for runners. Please maintain your position and enjoy the finish with your team!
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BE SAFE & HAVE FUN!

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