Mississippi Coast Marathon

This race was an old-school, simple race and a great way to check Mississippi off of my 50-state list. First, you can't beat the $35 entry fee. In exchange for the fee, you get the race entry, a race shirt, and the finisher medal (if you finish). The race shirt was a long-sleeved cotton shirt, which was a nice change from the typical tech shirt. (I won't wear it for running, but it makes a great shirt for relaxing on the weekend.) The finisher medal matched the logo on the shirt and referenced the Stennis NASA Space Center (including a couple of rockets). This race is low-key, no frills. The starting line was little more than a line on the road. All of the races (5-K, half-marathon, and full) start at the same time and run the same path for the first mile, so it's important to pace yourself. The course is pretty flat - a few minor 'humps,' especially in the last mile, but nothing too challenging. The half and full marathon share the course for the first 11.5 miles or so, and then the full splits off for a second loop. The scenery along the course is pretty - peaceful, coastal forest landscape. The course loops back on itself a few times, so you wind up seeing other racers several times along the course. There weren't many volunteers or spectators on the course, but those who were manning the water stops were enthusiastic. No fancy chip-timing, either - just an old fashioned tear tag & giant safety pin to track the finish order. The announcer called the finish times, and you posted your own results on a big bulletin board. They also offered access to a fitness center where you could grab a shower after the race. Post-race food was OK - fruit, cookies, pasta salad, and jambalaya. If I could change one thing, I would start the race earlier than 8 AM (or at least start the marathon earlier), although that might make the race timing a bit more complicated. The temperature was cold (upper 30s) at the start of our race, but it rose quickly, easily hitting 70 degrees over the next four+ hours. An earlier start might have made the last few miles a little cooler. If you're flying, the airport in New Orleans is about an hour away and offers better connections than Gulfport. I stayed in Slidell, LA, which is half-way between the airport and the race site. (Joe's Ristorante in Slidell had great pasta for carb loading the night before the race!)

Super well run marathon for $35. Race is essentially on a closed course and is very flat on good roads. Good race for PR seekers or 50 staters or if you are trying to getting another race in before the end of the year. Plenty of aid is offered by friendly volunteers. Weather could be warm if you are from the North. This year it was sunny 50/70. Medal was ok/shirt so so. Race has a hard 6 hour cut off so not ideal for walkers. Only complaint,it is on a NASA base but there was no fly over the start. This race is worth looking at!

My husband and I chose this marathon because it was a short enough drive to make it there and back in a weekend. It was well-organized, aid stations were REALLY well stocked, and the post-race celebration was quite fun (included beer, jambalaya, water, and soda). The course wasn't scenic, but it was closed, which made it easy to run a race. It's a small event, so there are few spectators, but I knew this going in. It was a hot day (75 when I finished). My only complaint about this event is something organizers really can't control - the heat. Maybe a 7am start would have helped, but then folks driving in would suffer. Overall, it was a fun event and we'd recommend it to friends. Also, it's only $35!