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Beach to Bay timeline
1976
U.S. Navy Commander John Butterfield organizes the first Beach to Bay Marathon,
commemorating the Bicentennial. There are 25 teams - and 185 runners - paying
a $1 entry fee to run and receive a ribbon.
1977
Local businessman Ed Hicks pledges $1,000 to the event and commits to four more
years of sponsorship.
1978
The Corpus Christi Road Runners running club is formed, adding more structure
to the annual event. The number of runners per team is set at six, with each leg
4.4 miles. Butterfield is transferred out of Corpus Christi.
1980
An unusually high tide makes the beach leg a nightmare, with water creeping all
the way to the sand dunes at some points.
1981
Beach to Bay goes international, with a team from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
1986
Runners must contend with Coastal Bend construction. The island portion of the
course contains construction on the Intracoastal Bridge and on the Humble Channel
Bridge, plus road construction on the Naval Air Station.
1989
For a change, runners don't have to contend with the usual May heat. A late cold
front rolls in after the start of the race, bringing rain with it.
1991
After three consecutive years of 650 teams, the event expands to 750 teams, which
allows 600 more runners.
1992
For the first time since 1986, runners don't have to circumvent construction barricades
and take detours along the race route, as construction nears completion on the
South Padre Island Drive project.
1994
Larry's Shoes, a team out of San Antonio, wins its 13th Beach to Bay title.
1995
To mark the event's 20th year, the field is increased to 1,000 teams. Butterfield,
now retired, comes back to Corpus Christi to run in the event.
1996
Six thousand runners take part in the event, while almost 150 teams are turned
away.
1998
Smoke from thousands of fires burning in southern Mexico and Guatemala affect
the race, giving the air a smoky haze on race day.
2000
Heavy rains mar the event, but don't stop Roger Soler's Speed team from catching
the Herrman & Herrman team at the end to win.
2001
A record 8,010 runners race in Beach to Bay.
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