Running News Daily

Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon will take place this weekend

Founded in 2015, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, a coastal running fest, showcases the local culture with a beautiful beach side run from Pass Christian to Biloxi and it’s set for this weekend.

Things kick off at the runner village at MGM Park in Biloxi. Saturday morning is the Chevron Mississippi Gulf Coast Kids Marathon one mile run and the Margaritaville 5K at Point Cadet Plaza in Biloxi followed by the full/half marathon along the Coast on Sunday.

The weekend will finish in MGM Park as you watch runners cross the finish line on the jumbotron.

You can check out COVID protocols on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon’s website.

Des Linden and Grayson Murphy to Run in 2020 Mississippi Gulf Coast Half Marathon

The FRESHJUNKIE Racing team has announced that running champions Des Linden and Grayson Murphy will be traveling to Coastal Mississippi to participate in the 2020 Mississippi Gulf Coast Half Marathon on Sunday, December 13, 2020.

In 2018, Des Linden was the first American female to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years and then participated in the Margaritaville 5K, part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon weekend. Grayson Murphy is the 2019 World Mountain Running Champion as well as the XTERRA Trail Run World Champion.

Founded in 2015, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, a “Coastal Running Fest,” offers participants and spectators an opportunity to explore the rich culture and stunning scenery of The Secret Coast. With a beautiful beach-side run between Pass Christian, Mississippi and Biloxi, Mississippi, runners are invited to participate while enjoying unobstructed views of the nation’s longest man-made beach and the Mississippi Sound.

With health and safety as top priority, and in accordance with the Coastal Mississippi Promise of health and safety, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon team continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and guidance from the CDC and other leading health authorities. FRESHJUNKIE Racing is committed to open communication with participants, volunteers, partners, and the racing community, and will continue to update the status of the event with any new information.

"We are thrilled to welcome Des back to the Coast and excited that she is returning to race the Half Marathon alongside Grayson Murphy,” said Craig Sweeney, co-founder of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon. “We are fortunate to have committed partners like Coastal Mississippi who helped to make this opportunity happen."

“It is an incredible honor to welcome such accomplished, world-renowned athletes to our beautiful Secret Coast,” said Milton Segarra, CEO of Coastal Mississippi. “The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon is a phenomenal event that truly showcases Coastal Mississippi’s exceptional offerings and unparalleled scenery. With additional plans in place to execute the safest, most enjoyable experience for participants and spectators alike, we look forward to another greatly successful event this year, and for many years to come.”

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon is taking place this weekend

Thousands of people are hoping the weather will hold out and be nice this weekend as the annual Gulf Coast Marathon takes off.

Thousands of people are making their way here to South Mississippi to pound the pavement in this weekend’s races, including a marathon and half-marathon on Sunday. Both marathons begin at 7 a.m.

The full marathon begins at Henderson Point in Pass Christian. The half-marathon will take off from Jones Park at the same time Sunday. Both races end at MGM Park in Biloxi.

If you plan to travel along Highway 90 this weekend in these areas you may want to take an alternate route.

Last year, more than 3,500 people signed up and this year it looks like they’ll be topping that number.

Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes will join other half-marathoners at Jones Park Sunday.

This is the fourth year of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon.

Humana has announced today that it will be a presenting partner of the 2019 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon

The Coastal Running Fest includes a marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), 5K (3.1 miles) and kids marathon (a 1.2 mile fun run).

“We’re excited to partner with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon this December in Biloxi,” said Humana Gulf States Medicare President Matt Berger. “Humana is committed to improving the health and well-being of our members on the Gulf Coast and across Mississippi, and this wonderful community event offers Gulf Coast seniors and their families a great way to get active and engaged in their health and fitness.”

Adding to the excitement, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon has joined the second edition of the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings.

Launching in Sept. 2018, the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Rankings aims to raise awareness of the sport of marathon running by highlighting the achievements of age-group marathon runners, that otherwise might go unnoticed.The 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will mark the end of the qualification period for the second edition of the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings. The World Championships will take place in the spring of 2021 with the venue to be announced next year.

Participants in an AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Ranking qualifying race will earn points according to their age, time and gender, aligned with the following age groups for men and women: 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+.

Tim Hadzima, Executive Director of Abbott World Marathon Majors said: “We are very excited about the response to the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings from marathons around the world. More than 125,000 runners aged 40+ participate in AbbottWMM races each year and this new system will allow even more runners to become a part of the AbbottWMM family. Our system gives runners a chance to run all over the world and all across the calendar on a truly global stage. We want to give them a chance to gain recognition like never before.

“We are proud to be working with all our partners to take age group marathon running to the next level and showcase the achievements of these everyday champions.”

“The addition of Humana with the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group Qualifying Series makes a major statement for the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Craig Sweeney, Strategic Partnership Director of the Louisiana Marathon.  “The Coast has seen a renaissance ever since Hurricane Katrina changed the landscape and these two huge additions to the marathon further show that the Mississippi Gulf Coast is the place to be!”