Run Sunset Beach is part of the BAM! Race Series (BAM is short for Big. Ass. Medals.)  2025 will be the 12th year for this series that started in 2014 with Run Sunset Beach being the very first event for Coastal Race Productions. While the bling might catch your eye, race day and our team will keep you coming back for more!  We hope you’ll join us to earn your own Big Ass Medal!

NOTE: You do NOT have to run all 3 events in the series (although we’d love you to!) You can participate in just 1 individual event and you will earn all the swag (medal/shirt/etc..) from that event weekend.

So, why do we call it the BAM! Series?  Well, everyone calls it that because these finisher medals (that everyone earns) are massive!  Even the 5K finishers earn a 4″ medal, the 10K are 5″ and the half marathon medals are 6″ and the Oak Island Full Marathon medal is 8″ wide! We even sell a custom hand-made medal rack for you to display them on if you’d like!

If you choose to run any combination of 5K, half marathon, full marathon or virtual event with us at each of the 3 BAM races in a calendar year – you’ll earn some extra swag! And this year it is a MASSIVE medal!

The 2025 BAM Series includes 3 races:

Run Oak Island (2/15) l Run Sunset Beach (4/12) l  Run Ocean Isle Beach (10/25)

You crossed that finish line and are ready for the party! Wear that medal with pride all day long and start your celebration just a few steps away. We have famous Carolina BBQ – no worries – we’ve found THE BEST BBQ for you. Your bib will have a beer ticket if you choose to partake; ontap we have some big brands and locals to choose from. Limit 1 per person included with registration.

CLICK HERE FOR A DOWNLOADABLE PDF

HALF MARATHON (13.1 MILES)

Starting early just as the sun is rising you’ll experience a course that takes you through a beautiful golf course community and around the entire mainland of Sunset Beach. You’ll tackle the bridge (65’ elevation) onto the island to tour the entire length from East to West before finishing back on the mainland in the beautiful waterfront park.

Download PDF (printable) Map Here
View The Certification Here (NC22001BDS) 

10K

This new addition will take you across the intracoastal waterway bridge with stunning views and the entire span of the island before returning back to the the water front park for an amazing after party.

CLICK HERE for the downloadable PDF Map
For the certification, CLICK HERE

5K

ALL NEW! This is one of the most scenic 5K courses you will find. It is not flat and fast but sure to be memorable. You’ll start and finish in the waterfront park and run over the intracoastal waterway bridge as the sun is rising over the waterway.

CLICK HERE for the downloadable PDF Map
For the certification, CLICK HERE

1 Mile – This is a fun 3 loop course all in the park. Safe and fun for all participants to enjoy. This is not a certified distance or timed but all participants will have a great time and earn a finisher medal. Shirts are purchased online at a discount to 1 mile participants.

We offer some of the most affordable races – especially if you register early! Here is out complete price schedule leading up to race day – no gimmicks, no surprises. Our early bird registration pricing is guaranteed to be the lowest prices offered for this race!

A runner’s favorite race with a beautiful (not flat) 5K going over the intracoastal waterway onto the island.  The Half tours the entire island and much of the mainland of Sunset Beach.  Finishers enjoy some unbelievable finisher swag this year.  See below why it’s best to register early and save!

• Worry free registration with deferrals, refunds, race transfers and more.  View more on our FAQ’s page!
• Register early and save a bunch of money, one of the most affordable races available when you register early!
• MASSIVE finisher medals – truly some of the most unique and amazing medals you’ll ever see!
• This course is phenomenal – enjoy the bridge and island with the start/finish in the waterfront park on the mainland of Sunset Beach.
• A race for EVERYONE!  Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and 1 Mile events all morning long!

Register Early & Save

If you can’t make it to the race on race day – you can choose to run these events virtual.  This page will explain:
– What is a virtual race?
– How to sign up for a virtual race?
– How to complete a virtual race?
– Can I switch to virtual if I’m already registered for the in-person event?
– And a few other FAQ’s.

What is a Virtual Race?

A virtual race is when you run the event on your own time – where ever you want.  While we can’t wrap up the after party and ship you the beer and bbq, we will ship you your swag items in the mail after the event.

How to sign up for Virtual?

This is super easy.  Just head over to the registration page and find the registration distance you want to sign up with that also says “Virtual”.  So if you want to run the half marathon virtually – select “Virtual Half Marathon”.

How To Complete A Virtual Race?

This is on the honor system.  Run anywhere/anytime, no need to send us proof or log your miles online.  Everyone that is registered for virtual will get the swag (medal & giveaway) shipped to your door within 2 weeks after the race.

Can I Switch To Virtual If I’m Registered For The In-Person Race?

Yes, but there are deadlines and a small $15 processing fee to cover the shipping/handling. If you’ve signed up to be at the race but for any reason you can’t make it and want to switch or “transfer” your race to a virtual race, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

#1)  It must be done no less than 7 days in advance before the event.

#2)  You must manage this yourself by logging into your RunSignUp account and choosing the “Event Transfer” option and choose the “Virtual” option for your distance and race.  Again, keep in mind there will be an online processing fee to make any changes.

FAQ’s & Policies:

Please keep in mind, these are our policies and they may differ from another virtual race company.  We think you will find our options very accommodating to you as a runner and we ask that you please read them carefully.  We are a small company and cannot make any special exceptions

This is something that you must register for separately and the following registration policies apply.  

• Must be registered for the virtual option in order to receive race packet by mail.

• If you are registered to run in a race and cannot attend, all of the registration policies on our FAQ page still  apply to you.  The only way to run a race virtually and receive your packet in the mail is if you are registered under the virtual option.

• You may transfer to the virtual option up to 7 days prior to an event.  You will manage this through your personal RunSignUp account and there is a $15.00 processing fee. CLICK HERE to login.

• Packets will not be available for pick up race weekend.  Even if you come to the race for any reason, or send family/friends to pick up your packet, we will not hand out any bibs, shirts, medals, or other swag items for any virtuals during a race weekend.

• ALL virtual packets will be mailed within 2 weeks of the race. 

• We will only ship packets to those who are actually registered for the virtual option. (Cut off for this is 7days prior to the each event)

*If you decide to come to the race instead of run it virtually.  You must manage this through your RunSignUp account 7 days prior to the event.  You will have to pay the difference in price as well as a $15.00 processing fee but we would love to have you join us!  It’s so much more fun to run with friends! 

NO EXCEPTIONS!

Details Coming Soon

We have a detailed page HERE for you to review all impacts on traffic, race day schedule, roads to avoid and more.

CLICK HERE

Race Times:

6:45am Half Marathon

7:00am 5K & 10K

8:30 1 Mile

Arriving:

Come early!  Use the park address for directions: 206 Sunset Blvd. N. Sunset Beach, NC 28468

Parking:

We have secured every single lot near the park as well as sides of the road for runners to park at.  We will have a parking team out that morning starting at 5:30 so come early to get parked no later than 6:15.

During Race:

Safety is our #1 priority.  While we work with local authorities and DOT to shut down as many roads as possible, a portion of the courses are open to vehicles so it’s important to be aware.  We discourage headphones and no dogs, bicycles or scooters are allowed per USATF sanctioning and anyone without an official race bib will be asked to leave the course.  Follow our directional signs, volunteers and law enforcement – they know the course and where you need to be running.

Post Race:

We will have a DJ playing some good tunes.  Awards for Top 3 Overall Female/Male, Top 3 Overall Female/Male Masters, as well as age groups (every 5 years) for Half Marathon & 5K Female/Male runners.  Although we will not be able to host an official awards ceremony – we will post a time for each event when you can begin picking up your awards.  Please be patient with us, with the rolling starts this will take some time to compute.  *Must pick up award while at the event – we do not ship them!

Important Reminders:

Arrive early – you don’t want to miss your start

Overall Awards are by gun time and Age Group Awards are by chip time.

Bring your bib and pre-race hydration

RaceJoy App – Free!

Do you run with your phone?  Want free up-to-date tracking of exactly where you are on course?  Family/Friends can track you and send you audio cheers.  Hear important race information in real time and get audio cues as you pass key areas.

This is a free app in the apple and android store that you can download.  Once you have it on your phone, it will walk you through setting it up if you’re a runner or spectator.  We’ve paid for everyone in our event to use it so you don’t have to!

*Available for the Half Marathon & 5K!

We need over 100 volunteers on course for this event.

We make a donation to a local non-profit if you’d like to select a group to benefit from you volunteering.

Alternatively, if you’d like to receive a free race entry into any of our other events for your generosity of volunteering, we’d be happy to give you a free registration for you volunteering at this event.

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER AND BE PART OF THE TEAM!

Email: info@coastalraceproductions.com or use the contact form here

Airports:

If you’re flying into the area, welcome to North Carolina!  We have a local airport for small planes 10 minutes away in Ocean Isle Beach (OIB).  The closest major airports are Myrtle Beach South Carolina (MYR) about 45 minutes away and Wilmington North Carolina (ILM) about 60 minutes away.

Coastal Race Productions support a number of Non-Profits throughout Brunswick County as well as the American Red Cross!  Please consider making a donation today!

To make a donation CLICK HERE – Thank you!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW RESULTS

CLICK HERE to lookup a registration.

We have several FAQ’s listed here.  If you don’t find your answers here, we have a more in-depth FAQ page here on our website that applies to all races.

Timing/Mats:

 We partner with a professional Timing Company that will provide accurate results.  Shout out to Scott with SVE

Certified Course:

Every Coastal Race Productions event is certified with USATF and measured for accuracy.  If you are hopeful for a state or national record, please give us a heads up so that we’re expecting it and can take proper actions to fill out the paperwork needed for your submission.  Our full marathon (at Oak Island) is also a Boston Marathon qualifier.

Discounts:

• Military, Students & Teachers – Yes!
• Are you a member of a race club or group – contact us for club discounts.
• Use our contact form  – click here

Are Dogs Allowed:

No.  All of our courses are USATF certified and sanctioned and dogs are not allowed for safety reasons.  If you have a 4 legged running companion for medical reasons, you can file a request through the USATF ADA Committee (which takes 4-6 weeks) by clicking here and if they approve, they will provide you documentation that you will then need to provide to us.  Here is a direct link to the form you’ll need to fill out.

Register Offline:

We really prefer for you to register online if at all possible – it’s quick and easy with the link at the top of the page.

Can I walk:

Yes! Our 1 Mile and 5K races have no time limit and our half marathon time limit is 3.5 hours (16 min miles) – plenty of time to walk most of the course if you’d like.

Age Restrictions:

We have no age restrictions however we do ask for parent or guardian signatures on all minors under 18 years of age.

Course Support:

Aid:  The half marathon will have 8 different water stops along the 13.1 mile course.  All stops have water and Gatorade.  There is 1 water stop along the 5K course as well.

Support:  We will have a truck monitoring the route with water and acting as a “SAG” wagon if you need assistance.  Over 100 volunteers from several different local non-profits are assisting on the course for directions, as well as at the finish line and all of the water stops.

Signage:  We are known for our fun and encouraging on-course signage to keep you on course.  We have tape marked on the ground, over 100 directional signs, and a biker will lead both courses.  We have 8′ flag mile markers for every mile on both the 5K and Half Marathon.

Potty Breaks:  There are over 20 portajohns/toilets at the start finish line and 5 located across the course.

Finish Line:  Post race nourishment includes bananas, Gatorade, pizza and beer!

You’re going to LOVE running a Coastal Race Productions event!

Photos:

We do provide race day photos and our awesome photographer tries to get some of everyone!  If you see her please thank her for all of the awesome FREE photos to enjoy!  These will all be uploaded to our Facebook page please feel free to tag yourself and share with your friends and family.

Registration Policy:

We currently do not allow for refunds on our events.  You may read more about this on our FAQ page.

Event Transfer:

If you want to change from one distance to another distance at the same race on the same weekend, we allow you to do this yourself prior to any Coastal Race Productions event.  This cutoff to switch is typically the final week leading up to a race and based upon availability in that event.  You will manage this through your RunSignUp account and there is a $15 processing fee.  Need Help?  Click Here for a tutorial on how to edit this. 

Bib Exchange/Transfer:

You can transfer your bib to another runner prior to a race. You must login to your RunSignUp account and initiate this bib exchange by placing their name and email in.  The recipient will receive an email to accept the bib, pay a $15 processing fee and sign our online waiver.  Whether you gift it to them or they pay you for it on this side is up to you.  Need Help?  Click Here and look for “Transfer to Another Runner” for a tutorial on how to edit this.

General FAQ’S:

Visit our General FAQ’s page for answer’s to all of your questions regarding Coastal Race Events.

*Please note:  Anyone on the course without a race bib will be asked to leave the course.  Anyone running with a dog unless you have the required USATF paper work will be asked to leave the course.  Companion riders on bicycles are not allowed and will be asked to leave the course.  These are all due to insurance regulations and are grounds for disqualification – It is for the safety of ALL participants.