Time to Get Physical at the Beach This Fall

October (and fall in general) is simply a perfect time of year to visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, with its great weather, variety of beach accommodations offering fall rates, and the chance to eat a lot of shrimp and then run it off.

The 42^nd Annual National Shrimp Festival begins this week (October 10^th – 13^th), and as the name implies, will bring lots of Gulf shrimp—plus lots of other good food, live music, arts and crafts, and a retail marketplace. And after the first couple days of festivities, you’ll get the chance to work off any indulgent eating at the Shrimp Festival 10K and 5K Run, taking place this Saturday, October 12^th.

Not only is this a good opportunity to put your athletic abilities to the test, but proceeds from the event also benefit local Gulf Shores & Orange Beach public schools. Run knowing you’re supporting a good cause (and burning quite a few calories)—or just come out, watch, and support those participating.

Feeling up for a good athletic challenge but unable to make it this weekend? The Ultimate 5K Obstacle Challenge is coming to The Wharf on November 2^nd. It’s no ordinary obstacle course—it’s an Xtreme Obstacle Challenge. And later in the month (November 30^th) is the Kaiser Realty Coastal Half Marathon and 5K Run. Work off that Thanksgiving meal while running along scenic Gulf Shores & Orange Beach trails.

Hope to see you this fall!

Head to the Gulf for Thanksgiving This Year

It’s hard to believe how quickly it has arrived, but arrived it has: one week to go until Thanksgiving. This means that many of you will be making your way to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach soon to spend an unforgettable holiday vacation on the Gulf Coast.

Of course, the sports activity will continue right through the Thanksgiving holiday. November 17th brings a little beach volleyball action with the 2012 Gulf Coast Region USA Volleyball Beach Series—junior and adult volleyball players will compete on Gulf Shores Public Beach. Then on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 24th) is the 2012 Kaiser Realty Coastal Half Marathon, 5K, and 1 Mile Fun Run. Interested in burning off those extra pounds from your big feast? Take your pick of the 1-mile run, 5K run, or half marathon and hit the scenic running trails that will lead you through the Hugh S. Branyon Back Country Trail. (Or just come watch the race for fun!)

And beginning on November 26th is the 2012 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship—16 women’s soccer teams from around the country competing for the championship title. It’s hard to beat that kind of sports excitement!

Between all of this activity and the Thanksgiving holiday, you’ll want to stay somewhere comfortable and memorable. The area offers a variety of options, from national hotel chains to luxury condominiums—like Caribe the Resort in Orange Beach, a sponsor of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission.

Not only does this Orange Beach resort offer luxurious accommodations, it also features amenities that are ideal for a Thanksgiving getaway, including hot tubs and indoor pools for those cooler days, full kitchens ideal for cooking a big meal, and as an alternative to cooking, a five-star restaurant with a water-front view from every seat.

Check out this and other Gulf accommodations on the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission website, and start planning that Thanksgiving getaway!

Kaiser Realty’s Cycling the Coast for a Cure

Kaiser Realty is typically known for its beach home and condo rentals and Gulf Shores real estate sales, but on March 26th the company’s name will be attached to another positive: the 5th Annual Kaiser Realty Cycling the Coast for a Cure.

Together with the American Cancer Society, Kaiser Realty, a sponsor of the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission, invites cyclists to ride either the 21-mile or 37-mile course, which starts at Tacky Jacks in Orange Beach. Via individual sponsorships and raffle ticket sales, participants are asked to raise $100 for the American Cancer Society before the cycling event.

Besides giving access to a fun event for a good cause, the registration fee ($35 for the 21-mile and 37-mile courses and $25 for the fun ride) also includes lunch and a Cycling the Coast t-shirt.

For more information, visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission website or call Kaiser Realty, Inc.

Making Your Stay Comfortable

Whether visiting Gulf Shores & Orange Beach for a sporting event, spending the weekend golfing with friends, or vacationing for a week with the family, you’ll need a comfortable place to stay. Fortunately, Alabama’s Gulf Coast offers several accommodations settings, ranging from hotel rooms for weekend guests on a quick getaway to resort-style condominiums for longer stays.

One notable vacation rental company, and a sponsor of the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission, is Brett/Robinson. With two hotels, several beach houses, and numerous condominium properties available to rent, Brett/Robinson has an option for anyone vacationing in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. In addition to vacation rentals, the company offers money-saving deals and vacation packages, including free-night specials and golf packages.

Kaiser Realty, Inc., another Sports Commission sponsor, also specializes in vacation rentals, as well as real estate sales. The company aids temporary visitors in the renting of condos and beach homes in a variety of locations throughout the Alabama Gulf Coast. Kaiser Realty also assists in real estate sales for those who wish to stay permanently, and offers a property management program for property owners interested in renting out their beach homes and condos.

And shedding a little light on the whole experience is Baldwin EMC, another Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission sponsor and provider of electric services in and around Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. In addition to providing electricity to private residences and businesses in the area, Baldwin EMC also sells energy products such as CFL light bulbs and electric grills, provides energy-saving resources, and performs personalized energy audits.

Thanks to all three sponsors for their support and services!

Volunteers Needed for the Kaiser Realty Coastal Half Marathon

You don’t have to be a runner to be a part of the Kaiser Realty Coastal Half Marathon, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. This event will take place on Saturday, November 27th at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. Participants will race along the Hugh S. Branyon Back Country Trail and onto Beach Road before ending up back at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. It may sound as though the runners will be doing all the work, but there’s a whole other to this event—and a whole other need for participants.

If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a marathon but haven’t felt up to the physical aspect, this is your chance to get involved. Volunteers are needed for this event to assist with tasks such as set-up, registration, and directing runners at various points throughout the race. As a volunteer, you’ll also get to attend the post-race party and help yourself to free food and beverages.

Click here to register as a volunteer.