Mariachi musicians gather at Beach Waterpark during the 2025 SPI Muzicians Run on South Padre Island. (Courtesy photo/Melissa Compte)
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PARADE
Runners and walkers will take to South Padre Island for an evening of racing and live mariachi music when the 2026 SPI Muzicians Run takes place Saturday, Oct. 24, at Beach Waterpark.
The event offers 5K, 10K and one-mile distances, with the run/walk beginning and ending at Beach Waterpark, 33261 State Park Road 100. The 5K and 10K will be chip-timed, while all three distances are open to runners and walkers.
Race-day activities begin with an expo, packet pickup and same-day registration from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. under La Palapa at the waterpark. In-person participants must visit the expo to pick up their race packets.
Participants are instructed to bring positive identification for packet pickup. Organizers also recommend bringing a printed registration confirmation containing the QR code, or having the QR code available on a phone, to speed check-in.
The expo is free and open to the public and will feature fitness apparel. Organizers say they also hope to have various vendors and sponsors on site. Exhibitors may remain through the run/walk and after-party. The first 500 participants to pick up packets will receive drawstring bags.
An early packet-pickup opportunity may also be offered Friday night before the race. Whether it will be held, along with its location and time, is expected to be confirmed by the Tuesday or Wednesday of race week.
Announcements and the national anthem are scheduled for 4:50 p.m., followed by the 5K, 10K and one-mile run/walk at 5 p.m. Start times may be staggered by several minutes.
The courses are flat, out-and-back routes using South Padre Island sidewalks and asphalt. Live mariachis and other musicians are planned about every half-mile along the course. The courses will remain open for one hour and 45 minutes.
Melissa Compte, who participated in the 2025 Mariachi 5K, said the combination of running, music and the post-race festivities made the experience memorable.
“I ran the 2025 Mariachi 5K with music in my ears, with margarita and tacos waiting at the finish — every step was a fiesta!” Compte said. She added that the medals are “really nice too.”
Participants in the 10K must reach the 1.55-mile point within 26 minutes of the start to continue on the 10K course. A sag vehicle will be available to assist participants who do not meet the course time limits.
The Mariachi After Party is scheduled to begin about 5:30 or 5:45 p.m. and continue until 7:30 p.m. Awards are planned for approximately 6:30 p.m.
Those registered for the run/walk will receive a mariachi-design shirt, five-inch finisher medal, commemorative race bib and decal, and a logoed cup. Registration also includes a taco and a choice of beer or margarita, redeemable on site. Identification is required to be served alcohol.
Online registration is scheduled to remain open through Oct. 22. Race-day registration will be available Oct. 24 if the event has not reached capacity. Registration category changes and transfers must be completed by Oct. 17 and carry a $10 fee.
The event is scheduled rain or shine. If severe weather is deemed too dangerous by local authorities, the race start may be delayed or postponed.
Registration and additional event information are available through the official SPI Muzicians Run website.