I have no basis of comparison but would like to say that I am proud to have completed this as my first marathon.
Double loop course with plenty of aid stations, port-a-johns, drinks and snacks. However, this event would have been nothing without the always superb Southern hospitality by the organizers, support personnel, and fans (few but a welcome sight each turn and station)
Truly a unique experience and I look forward to running with this club in the future.
I was told that the Jambalaya didn't last for the late finishers which is a disappointment but that could be easily fixed. Thanks to the runners that motivated me along the way and special thanks to Kim, Ashley, Lindsey, Genny and Joe... My faithful family. See ya next year.

What a fun day! The race organizers and volunteers were extra-friendly. The course was flat and fast, as promised. The miles were clearly marked. The best part was that almost every aid station had a porta-john. The crowds were very sparse, but enthusiastic to the core.

A must-do for the passionate runner. I never thought marathons would come this small, especially the self-service "expo"; the post-race jambalaya was a great twist for a Southern-style race.

The organization and conduct of the race reminded me of why we (runners) do this kind of stuff. True to the website, the course was flat and fast.

Would have preferred the start time to be at 7 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. as it warmed up towards mid-morning. Would have liked to have seen more info on the website.

The volunteers, though few, were a tremendous help. Great idea to have on-site shower facilities!

This was a completely flat course, with little detail on the course signs. There were a half marathon, 5K, or 10K, and the marathon. Do the half marathon - I wish I had! I missed the loop turn, ran an extra three miles the wrong way, and then had to go back three miles to catch up... ugh! I was really disheartened when I was the last one in and there was no food and no clock - just beer, which they were packing up.... Oh, also no medal... as they ran out! That was about the last straw, since I had pre-registered, paid for airline tickets, and paid for a hotel room, a t-shirt and two beers! Thanks, I hope the money from the marathon goes to a good
benefit. It was really hot - 70 - but a beautiful day! I saw deer tracks, and though I saw no deer, I heard gunshots from hunters. I really think they need more volunteers to help out - more participation from the running club.

This was a perfect race for a first-time marathoner. Excellent overall event organization and support. Race organizers available by email and cell phone in the weeks before the big day. Well marked course with plenty of aid stations and friendly support personnel. As mentioned in previous years' write ups, if you want cheering crowds, this is not the race for you; but if you like a fast, flat course with a quiet, rural setting and excellent race support, this is the one.... Not to mention the weather was outstanding - sunny and 70's with a cooling breeze (sorry, no guarantees on the weather next year!).

Mississippi Coast Marathon, Saturday, November 25, 2006, Waveland, MS.

This was a small marathon (mental toughness required), finely organized by the Gulf Coast Running Club. The entry fee was $30. We received long-sleeved cotton T-shirts and nice finisher's medallions. There was a picnic-like post-race gathering in which jambalaya, cold beer, and soft and sports drinks were served. The race took place in NASA's Stennis Space Center, which is located a few miles from LA/MS state line. We ran the same loop twice around the perimeter of the Space Center. It was flat. There were water/Gatorade stops at approximately every other mile, beginning at Mile 1. As expected, there was no crowd support. It was a sunny day and temperature climbed into the 70's quickly. Heat and direct sun made it quite challenging. The closest major city is Gulfport. New Orleans is not too far either.

There were 128 finishers, and winning times were 2:52:22 (overall male), 3:31:39 (overall female), 3:16:07 (masters male), and 3:49:15 (masters female). There was also a half marathon with 180 finishers, and winning times were 1:14:13 (overall male), 1:26:52 (overall female), 1:29:21 (masters male), and 1:27:50 (masters female); and a 5K with 154 finishers in which the winning times were 19:26 (overall male), 23:27 (overall female), 20:57 (masters male), and 27:55 (masters female).

I am a "50 stater" and this was #23.

If you are searching for a small marathon with a double-loop course, this is it. Course is pretty much flat. Zero spectators. Cheap entry fee and very friendly people throughout. Rained for about half the race, but it felt good. Overall a decent race, and if you are looking to do all 50 states in your lifetime, this checks the box for Mississippi.

This is a great small and friendly marathon. The race staff and aid station workers couldn't have been friendlier. The course was nice and flat, but don't expect spectators. The awards, T-shirts, and post-race food were all 1st class. This was a great chance to escape from some colder weather and experience a good marathon.

1. This marathon is deceptively difficult. It looks like it has PR written all over it, but I got the worst time I have ever gotten short of Choteau, Montana. The course is flat. Lots of water/fruit/Gatorade. A second-to-none staff, race director, etc. Each person associated with this race is nicer than the next. The organization of this marathon was flawless. Great accommodations (host hotel). 8:00 a.m. start. I could not complain if I had to.

2. With hindsight being 20/20, perhaps an 7:00 start would have been better. This way we would have had an hour before starting in a storm. Then an hour of running in the rain, then an extra hour of not running in searing heat. I went down south to TRY gumbo, not feel like gumbo. When that heat broke through, it was hell. I am also the only guy in Michigan to have a mosquito bite in November.

3. Bring your own cheering section if you need that stuff.

4. Lots of beer and jambalaya after the race. This was the best after-race set-up I have ever seen. The guys at the finishing line made everyone who crossed feel like they ran like Kenyans.

In summation - forget about qualifying for Boston and raging crowds. That Southern hospitality you hear about is alive and well in Mississippi. It is puzzling how you can have such a miserable run and yet cherish every minute of running the race and being around these people.

This was my first MS Coast Marathon, and it was worth the drive from IN. The entry fee was minimal, which makes me wonder why all the other marathons charge so much these days. This race had nearly everything that expensive ones have and even more - plenty of volunteers, long-sleeve t-shirts, adequate aid stations, accurate course and mile markers, and post-race jambalaya and BEER!

The volunteers did a fantastic job with everything - packet pickup, aid stations, post-race food/drink. The course was flat as can be and was basically a 2-looper around the Stennis Space Center. There were very few spectators, but what can one expect when the first 1.5 hours was a downpour? The course was well-marked and had very encouraging volunteers cheering everyone on. The downside of having few spectators was the upside of having no traffic whatsoever.

This marathon is perfect for those interested in a fast, no-frills course and wonderful, post-race food and beverages. The race director and volunteers know what they're doing and do a great job with obviously a very small budget. It's not for those who are looking for a big race with lots of hoopla and spectators.