Registration for the 2023 Grayton Beach Kous Kouri 8 & 4-miler is OPEN! This will be year #7 of this fantastic race - we're anticipating that this will be the best year yet! The Kous Kouri will be taking place on Saturday, December 16, 2023 starting at 8:00a.
Race HQ: Beach Camp Brew Pub in Grayton Beach will serve as the race HQ for the 2023 Grayton Beach Kous Kouri 8 & 4-miler. NOTE: PLEASE ensure that you come to the Beach Camp in Grayton Beach and N-O-T the one in Destin :)
Course: The Kous Kouri will start and finish at the Grayton Beach State Park trailhead (gravel parking lot on CR- 30A), with both the 8 and 4-mile courses taking place exclusively on their fantastic (and fantastically beautiful) trail system!
Course maps can be found at https://www.runrotorhead30a.com/grayton-beach-kous-kouri
Staggered Start: To ensure an orderly and safe start to the race + to eliminate congestion on the trails, we’ll be utilizing a staggered start.
8-Mile Runners/Walkers. 8-Mile runners will start promptly at 8:00a. 8-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.
4-Mile Runners. 4-Mile runners will start promptly at 8:30a.
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 8-mile and 4-mile courses. As always with the Kous Kouri, 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, December 15th from 4-7p. 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 Grayton Beach Kous Kouri 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 will park at Beach Camp, or any established parking spots in the vicinity along 30A. As stated previously, it is a roughly .6 of a mile walk to the start line, so please plan accordingly. There will be NO PARKING at the trailhead parking lot nor adjacent grass. Yes, this is a change from previous years at the request of the state park. If you still insist on parking there, you will absolutely jeopardize this race being approved in future years. PLEASE don't be that person :)
Alright, so one last time, here's the race schedule in its entirety...
Friday, December 15th
3:00p: Early packet pick-up commences at Beach Camp Grayton Beach
6:00p: Early packet pick-up ends
11:59p: Online registration closes
Saturday, December 16th
7:00a: Race day packet pick-up begins + doors of Beach Camp unlocked for bathroom use
7:00a: 8-mile walkers may commence their race (ONLY after checking in with race staff)
7:30a: 8-mile runners proceed to start line
7:45a: Packet pick-up ends / pre-race ceremony begins (at start line)
8:00a: 8-mile race commences
8:00a: 4-mile runners proceed to start line
8:30a: 4-mile race commences
10:30a: Post-race social / awards ceremony begins at Beach Camp
Beginning with the 2023 race, a portion of the proceeds from registration fees for the Grayton Beach Kous Kouri will go exclusively towards covering race expenses of the Ouanaminthe (Haiti) Half Marathon via an organization called Community Life Centers of Haiti (CLCHaiti.org). This year's Ouanamiinthe Half Marathon will be taking place on Saturday, January 13, 2024 in...Ouanaminthe, Haiti.
And just FYI: "Kous Kouri," the name of the race, loosely translates to "trail running" in Haitian Creole.\
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!!!
p.s. in case you were wondering, the name of the race, "Kous Kouri," loosely translates to "trail running" in Haitian Creole.
