The 2012 race was the first marathon ever in Meridian, MS. The race was well-managed and used chip timing.
The race course is certified and very challenging with long steady hills. The course starts/ends at Northeast Park and goes south on Hwy 39 to downtown Meridian. The 22nd avenue hill is nothing to take lightly! A large portion of the race follows Poplar Springs Drive, a historic and scenic drive. Overall a very pretty course.
For the first timer, this will be a challenging course. If you like a challenge, this is the race for you! I have run both full and half courses. In my opinion, The marathon course is hillier than the Blues Marathon course (Jackson, MS-January).

A very scenic and friendly atmosphere race. People of Meridian were very nice and had great volunteers. A good race to run if you are ever in Mississippi.