This course was more challenging than I expected; the hills weren't big, but they were never-ending. There was a flat section, but it ran along both sides of a busy roadway, which wasn't much fun. The rest of the course was fun but hilly. The volunteers were numerous and very helpful. It was very well organized, with lots of support.

The good:

Great people, host hotel and a good airport to get in and out of. The expo was small but nice - I have sore feet and loved the carpet.

The bad:

Needed ten times the porta-johns that were on the course. I was hoping for Vaseline but got none at any of the drink stops. Also, could've used some pretzels.

The ugly:

We were warned by some folks at the hotel that Mississippi feeds on out-of-state, drivers and that was the case. We just poke along and it was no problem for us, but I noticed a Sunday morning speed trap in full operation for folks heading to the airport.

I must tell you, though, that we have never been treated better anywhere. Southern hospitality is certainly alive and well in Jackson.

Great job, folks.

I thought the organizers did an excellent job of putting on the first Mississippi Blues Marathon. The course is challenging, due to the hills and the rough pavement, but I don't think the organizers could do much about that. They could put porta-lets at more aid stations and they could use different-looking barrels for trash and for storing drinks at the end of the race. Other than that they didn't get much wrong. I was impressed by the amount of food and beer at the end of the race, and the post-race party was outstanding. The volunteers were extremely helpful and friendly, and the fans, although modest in number, were equally supportive. I strongly recommend this marathon to anyone.

As billed, the course was indeed challenging. However the only hills that heavily impacted my race were around mile 20 and in the final 2 miles. For an inaugural effort, the organization was superb. Several little touches that you may not get at other relatively small marathons (mylar blankets, super nice technical long-sleeve shirt, calling out your name as you finish, etc.). The volunteers made up the majority of spectators on the course, but they poured tons of effort into cheering on all the participants.

This was a very well done race for an inaugural race. Lots of unique features: "Blues" sunglasses and a blues music CD in the race packet, blues guitar solo for the national anthem, governor AND the mayor to start the race, an aid station manned by Dominican nuns, and sub sandwiches at the finish line. The course was hilly, but there are many other marathons that are hillier. Last mile before the finish was a pretty tough hill. Course was interesting through the half/full split since we ran through neighborhoods. The stretch from miles 13-20 was on a large, busy 4-lane, which was VERY tedious and flat, although the Blue Cross "greeting line" at the turnaround was a spectacular relief! Kudos to the Blue Cross employees manning that outpost.

Support was also spectacular, with every aid station well manned by enthusiastic volunteers and fully stocked. Traffic control was the best I've ever seen at a race, bar none! Some of the pavement was in bad shape so you needed to watch your footing, however the worst spots were outlined with spray paint so you could easily see them. Only suggestion: have a few more port-o-potties out on the course at the aid stations. Travel note: Jackson is very easy to get around with a rental car. Hotels near the airport are plentiful and only a 10-minute drive to the race site. Caution: my flight left early in the morning the day after the race and the security line at the airport (they only had one line) was AWFUL (1/2 hour plus)!!! Allow plenty of extra time - many folks missed their flights!

If you like hills and a good challenge you will love this race. The volunteers for the race were great and very encouraging. I prefer to have a drink station every mile - having to run longer periods without hydration was very difficult. But overall I was pleased with the race.

This was really an enjoyable race staffed with enthusiastic volunteers, on a tough hilly course, but with a great finish line! There weren't many spectators, but each aid station had many, many volunteers to cheer on the runners. The race brochure described the course as hilly, and you just need to slow down a bit to run this race. The finish line amenities included fruit, sub sandwiches, pizza, Michelob Ultra and a band for entertainment. I will be back again next year!

Excellent and friendly support on the course with plenty of water and Gatorade. Very well organized. Awesome shirt - I love the guitar on the shirt and the guitar medal. The course was a bit hilly but very scenic. Host hotel was great. Thanks for a great time.

Hats off to the MS Blues Marathon for pulling off an excellent inaugural marathon. I was never short on supplies with ample hydration, strategic gel placements and Blue Cross employees all along the course at every intersection. The hills were fine on the first half AND brutal from 20 to finish. You can't sing the blues without some suffering and this course delivered - delightfully so! More portable toilets are needed along the course. Spectators were enthusiastic but more attention needs to be placed on drawing in more community involvement - this should come next year after such a successful event. Traffic control was exceptional and plenty of safety support was visible. Our Marathon Makeover training team brought over 70 participants and were not disappointed. Will I do it again? Yes!

The Mississippi Blues Marathon did not seem like it was an inaugural event because everything ran so smoothly. It was a rolling, hilly course, but I like hills, so I ran a good time. The race organizers were very friendly and cooperative and helped me fix my registration problems with ease. There were volunteers about every tenth of a mile and each one was enthusiastic and said, "Good morning! Thanks for coming!" I highly suggest running in Jackson, MS, because it was the friendliest marathon I've ever run. I've run 39 marathons to date.