We are eight weeks away, so it's time for an update.

• Registrations are rolling in with ten teams and 11 ultra-runners already signed up.
• The Island, by Hotel RL, located within walking distance of the start and finish line, has rooms blocked off until Dec 1st starting at $89 for Saturday (Dec 26) and Sunday (Dec 27) nights. Guests may book over the phone by calling 850-337-9194 or click the link below:
  • https://reservations.redlion.com/ibe/details.aspx?propertyid=15358&nights=1&checkin=12/26/2020&group=ROUN2001
• Packet Pickup (Saturday, Dec 26) and the Bloody Mary Recover Run (Mon. Dec 28) will be hosted by The Island, by Hotel RL. 
• Race shirts- traditional long sleeve shirt but with a THROWBACK (First year-2011) print.
• Food (Billie Adam's Louisiana cuisine) and music (B.T. is back) are set.
• 3rd Planet Growlers for the first 200 to sign up. 
• Shirts will be order November 20- First 200 to register are guaranteed a shirt.
• Ultra runners sign up on ultrasignup.com.
• Relay runners sign up on Active.com or mail in registration.
• I plan to attend these local races; Prop's Run (Nov 14), Josh Sprinkle (Nov. 21), Ho Ho Hustle (Dec 12) and the Egg Nog Jog (Dec 19) if you want to turn it in to me personally. 
• We are looking forward to another great race and seeing our old friends plus, we will welcome some new ones!!

At this time, this year's race is on hold due to safety concerns.  On October 1st, 2020, we will make the decision whether to have the race on December 27th or cancel it for this year. Our race concept, which includes groups of runners riding togethr around the bay, is not conducive to social distancing so we are trying to create a secondary concept so we can have the race. Look for an October 1st post on this site for a final determination. If we aren't able to have the Round the Bay this year, we will come back strong next year for the 10th annual race!!!

Welcome to the first update for this year's race. Needless to say, everything will hing on the race calendar becoming active again, but with that said, we have set our plans, updated the race information and will be "buying local" for our swag.
** Due to Christmas being on a Friday, we moved this year's race to Sunday morning, December 27. I realize there will be mixed feeling about a Sunday morning race, but it is the best we can do this year.
** We will plan for the Recovery Run (Dec. 28), but since it will be a workday morning, we will make the call to have it based on interest. 
**Registration will not begin until we are sure the race can be held. As soon as the racing season returns, I will open the registration for the Relay on Active.com and the Ultra on ultrasignup.com . 
​** I will be sending out an email blast soon to "Save the Date." 
** If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected] . 

Happy New Year to all of you. I've had a few days to wrap up the race and decompress. Forty-six teams and 24 ultra runners competed in the race and a great time was had by all. Thanks for all of the complimentary comments after the race and on social media. It really was a fun time.

*** A huge shout out to all of the volunteers that made the race possible. Also, thanks to the Elks Lodge, The Island, Hotel by RL and Gear Forces for their help and support. We had the largest Recovery Run to date on Sunday morning and again, thanks to all of the runners and volunteers that attended. 

** LOOKING AHEAD!!!! The 2020 race has been tentatively set for SUNDAY, December 27 which will be the first time that the race is held on a Sunday. This year, Christmas will be on Friday, packet pickup on Saturday the 26th and the race on Sunday. At this time, we don't expect to have a Recovery Run since that would be on a Monday morning. 

** Once we have the 2019 results and pictures added to the Gallery, I'll start the 2020 race prep on this site in June. For those checking this site for the 2020 race, put it on your calendar and come spend part of your holiday at the beach and enjoy this race. 

**I have just uploaded the official starting times on the website. it was my first time to do so and I'll have my web guru clean it up tomorrow. You should be able to see you starting time, both ultra and teams, by clicking the link.
** We now have 45 teams and 20 ultra runners for a total of 335 runners participating. I still have room (available shirts) for 3-5 more more teams. 
** Registration on Active.com expired today and www.ultrasignup.com expires at midnight tonight. If you wish to register a team, contact me at [email protected]. 
**Packet Pickup is Friday at The Island, Hotel by RL from 4:30-7:00 in the front lobby. Enter the front door and look to your right for our tables. 
**Race morning. I'll be there at 4:45 for the 5:00 start. The Elks Lodge will open at 5:45. All teams will leave by 7:00 AM. We want all teams to return by 12:30-12:45. If you think you team will be slower than that, please see me Saturday morning for a speedup rule. 
** Runners have asked about buying a beanie if any are left over. See me after the race and if I have any left over, and I should, I will sell them to you for $6 until supply runs out.

*As of today, we have 44 teams and 18 ultra runners registered. I still have shirts and swag for 5-6 teams and six more ultra runners. 

* Saturday, December 21, I will have the race bags at the Egg Nog Jog if you wish to pick yours up. The team captain should pick it up and disperse to team members. 

* I will have the race starting times complete this weekend and will put them on the front page of the website. 

We are now officially under three weeks to race day and  32 teams and 15 Ultra runners have registered. With the large influx of teams the past five days, to guarantee a shirt with the correct size, time is starting to run low.

The shirts, beanies and socks are here and being bagged for the teams. I will have the bags for the local teams at the Ho Ho Hustle on Saturday, Dec. 14 and again on Dec. 21 at the Egg Nog Jog.

*Late fees are now in effect.
* Team starting times will be placed here on Monday, Dec 23rd.
*Ultra starting times will be placed here on Monday, Dec. 23rd. 
* Everything is confirmed for a great post-race party at the Elks Lodge and will include beverages, live music, excellent food prepared by Billie Adams and college football on eight tv's in an adjacent room starting at 12:00. 

Good afternoon and the Thanksgiving holidays are upon us. I hope this will be a week with several extra runs so there will be more room for the turkey!!

Here are a couple of updates:
Race bling- all relay runners will get either a long sleeve race shirt or a neon yellow race beanie. The first 300 that designate shirts on the registration will get a shirt. If you have about 100 shirts already and want something different, place a B on the registration form where you list your shirt size. The first 350 to register will get a pair of race socks instead of the traditional race glass.
ULTRA RUNNERS- you will receive a long sleeve race shirt, a beanie and a 3rd Planet Growler for finishing. The growler replaces the traditional race mug. 

LATE REGISTRATION AND HOTEL ROOMS:
Late fees are included after December 3, 2019. 
The Island, by Hotel RL has race discounted rooms until December 1st, 2019.

We are a month away, so time to sign up and secure your shirt or beanie and race socks.