Marathon Details - Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MS > Biloxi > Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon

Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon & Half Marathon, 5K

Biloxi, MS USA

December 15, 2024

http://www.msgulfcoastmarathon.com

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Results:	2023 \| 2022 \| 2021 \| 2020 \| 2019 \| 2018 Top 3 Finishers by Year

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Reviews

Course 4.9

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.3

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Number of comments: 11 [displaying comments 1 to 9]

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R. H. from Milwaukee, WI (12/13/2023) "Amazing views and flat course" (about: 2023) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I travelled from Milwaukee to complete this event. This is marathon #21 and state #20 completed. Packet pickup was convenient and they had some nice/branded merchandise. Biloxi is a neat little town and everyone is very friendly. The bus pickup was right across the street from the Beau Rivage where we were staying. They bussed us out 26 miles and we started at 7 am. The aid stations were run well. The crowd support was minimal. The course is amazing as you have a view of the gulf coast and pancake flat roads for the first 24 miles. Once you pass mile marker #24, you ascend an on ramp and have a good little uphill run. The problems got worse as we were running into 30 mph winds until the turn around point at mile #25. The finish at MGM park (minor league baseball stadium) was very nice. The post-race food was some excellent Gumbo and the beer was Fly Llama which was good as well! To summarize, I would rank this marathon in the top 5 of the ones I've completed. Other then the last 2 miles, it was an easy course to complete. Biloxi is a very nice town that I would highly recommend visiting!
A. F. from Germantown, Maryland (12/13/2022) "Great views, flat course - glad I picked this one!" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Given the relatively small size of the marathon and that this was its seventh year, I was really impressed with the organization. I stayed at the host hotel (Margaritaville Resort) and was able to catch a shuttle to the start right from the hotel parking lot. The resort also has a steakhouse in it that I went to for dinner the night before (chicken parm without the cheese and a side of asparagus - perfect). The course is flat and can be fast if the weather conditions are right- this year was a tad warm at the start (temps in the low 60s), some headwind off and on, and a steady rain started maybe 3 hours into the race. But weather is always a gamble with marathons and rarely will race day be ideal. Be prepared for a hill starting just past mile 24 - we ran up an overpass to cross the road from the beach side to run inland. The agonizing part was passing the turnaround for the half marathoners and continuing to run uphill until you reach the marathon turn. But once you turn around, it's a nice downhill (maybe just under half a mile), then you turn and head towards the MGM stadium to finish. Medals are pretty and fitting for the gulf coast - but the ribbon has a Velcro secure on it which is kind of weird. Nice swag overall and a nice small gear store before and after the race - mugs, shirts, sweatshirts, joggers, visors, sunglasses etc. I placed in my age group as well so I got a separate medal for that (you have to pick up your age group award in person at the stadium where you finish - they won't mail it or offer pick up on another day). Overall this was an excellent race and Biloxi is a cute place to stay with a small downtown area and a few boutiques to shop at if that's your thing.
A. B. from Atlanta, GA (12/25/2020) "Fantastic organization during a difficult year" (about: 2020) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Fantastic organization during a difficult year. These folks did an amazing job of organizing a social distanced marathon, all the safeguards in place. And we ran for 24 freaking miles straight down the beach... how do you beat that? Southern hospitality on full display the entire race weekend. No spectators this year so I can't give it a five for that but I can't give it less than a three given the circumstance.
T. S. from Mountaintop, PA (12/22/2020) "Nice beach race!" (about: 2020) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm so happy the organizers held a race in 2020 with social distancing in place. The course was flat until the last 2 miles up a highway ramp, that added a nice variety. You could see the beach for nearly the entire time. It was a little windy, but nothing terrible. Weather was perfect, in the 60's. There were ample water/powerade stations. The race expo was small, but probably due to Covid restrictions. The shirt was short sleeved and nothing spectacular. This year they gave out face masks to wear until the actual race and they were nice. The medal is beautiful. The area has ample hotels and casinos to stay at. There are some places to go for sightseeing or you can fly into New Orleans for more action. You take a shuttle bus to the start and parking was easy. This can be a fast course and I highly recommend it.
B. M. from Mobile, AL (12/18/2020) "The 'to do' race in Mississippi !!" (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 After being denied the opportunity to run marathons in 2020 due to Covid, I was elated to have the opportunity to run a marathon. This marathon was amazing! The organization was flawless, the course is beautiful and the swag is awesome. No complaints...only compliments!!!
Leigh Ceci from Tallahassee, Florida (12/17/2020) "Strong leadership enables runners to run!" (about: 2020) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 So thankful for the race director and crew to allow runners to finally run a 2020 marathon! Very good COVID protocols were in place and runners were very compliant! It can be done and was done! The course was beautiful and flat. There is some wind as most of the race is run adjacent to the water. Excellent medals. I would HIGHLY recommend this race!
Bill Meirink from St Louis, MO (1/5/2020) "Pretty Cool Race" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If you like a flat course, this is your race. Loved the course & scenery. Weather was not a factor. Enjoyed the finish line inside the stadium. Everything was well organized. Plenty of beautiful hotels to choose from. No major complaints. Spectators are pretty much non existent. Plenty of water stops along course. I enjoyed by double down award (tray) for completing the 5k & marathon.
g. j. from oklahoma (12/10/2018) "fast and flat" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very easy packet pickup,shuttle bus, and finish line in one spot. course was about as flat as it gets except for last couple of miles. Perfect running weather this year with tailwind. nice support.
Jonathan Jones from MS (9/30/2018) "Flat & fun. Great end inside baseball stadium" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was great, very well laid out. Not many spectators, but those there were very friendly and supportive. The expo was not very good, but that's not why I run. Also, in 2017, the course was 0.2 miles short. Yep, that sucked. The error should not have happened, but the apology was great. If you were trying to qualify for Boston or set a true PR, then this sucked, but if you just wanted a great race, it was great. Obviously, I think they learned their lesson and the course will be the proper length this year.

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R. H. from Milwaukee, WI (12/13/2023) "Amazing views and flat course" (about: 2023) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I travelled from Milwaukee to complete this event. This is marathon #21 and state #20 completed. Packet pickup was convenient and they had some nice/branded merchandise. Biloxi is a neat little town and everyone is very friendly. The bus pickup was right across the street from the Beau Rivage where we were staying. They bussed us out 26 miles and we started at 7 am. The aid stations were run well. The crowd support was minimal. The course is amazing as you have a view of the gulf coast and pancake flat roads for the first 24 miles. Once you pass mile marker #24, you ascend an on ramp and have a good little uphill run. The problems got worse as we were running into 30 mph winds until the turn around point at mile #25. The finish at MGM park (minor league baseball stadium) was very nice. The post-race food was some excellent Gumbo and the beer was Fly Llama which was good as well! To summarize, I would rank this marathon in the top 5 of the ones I've completed. Other then the last 2 miles, it was an easy course to complete. Biloxi is a very nice town that I would highly recommend visiting!
A. F. from Germantown, Maryland (12/13/2022) "Great views, flat course - glad I picked this one!" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Given the relatively small size of the marathon and that this was its seventh year, I was really impressed with the organization. I stayed at the host hotel (Margaritaville Resort) and was able to catch a shuttle to the start right from the hotel parking lot. The resort also has a steakhouse in it that I went to for dinner the night before (chicken parm without the cheese and a side of asparagus - perfect). The course is flat and can be fast if the weather conditions are right- this year was a tad warm at the start (temps in the low 60s), some headwind off and on, and a steady rain started maybe 3 hours into the race. But weather is always a gamble with marathons and rarely will race day be ideal. Be prepared for a hill starting just past mile 24 - we ran up an overpass to cross the road from the beach side to run inland. The agonizing part was passing the turnaround for the half marathoners and continuing to run uphill until you reach the marathon turn. But once you turn around, it's a nice downhill (maybe just under half a mile), then you turn and head towards the MGM stadium to finish. Medals are pretty and fitting for the gulf coast - but the ribbon has a Velcro secure on it which is kind of weird. Nice swag overall and a nice small gear store before and after the race - mugs, shirts, sweatshirts, joggers, visors, sunglasses etc. I placed in my age group as well so I got a separate medal for that (you have to pick up your age group award in person at the stadium where you finish - they won't mail it or offer pick up on another day). Overall this was an excellent race and Biloxi is a cute place to stay with a small downtown area and a few boutiques to shop at if that's your thing.
A. B. from Atlanta, GA (12/25/2020) "Fantastic organization during a difficult year" (about: 2020) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Fantastic organization during a difficult year. These folks did an amazing job of organizing a social distanced marathon, all the safeguards in place. And we ran for 24 freaking miles straight down the beach... how do you beat that? Southern hospitality on full display the entire race weekend. No spectators this year so I can't give it a five for that but I can't give it less than a three given the circumstance.
T. S. from Mountaintop, PA (12/22/2020) "Nice beach race!" (about: 2020) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm so happy the organizers held a race in 2020 with social distancing in place. The course was flat until the last 2 miles up a highway ramp, that added a nice variety. You could see the beach for nearly the entire time. It was a little windy, but nothing terrible. Weather was perfect, in the 60's. There were ample water/powerade stations. The race expo was small, but probably due to Covid restrictions. The shirt was short sleeved and nothing spectacular. This year they gave out face masks to wear until the actual race and they were nice. The medal is beautiful. The area has ample hotels and casinos to stay at. There are some places to go for sightseeing or you can fly into New Orleans for more action. You take a shuttle bus to the start and parking was easy. This can be a fast course and I highly recommend it.
B. M. from Mobile, AL (12/18/2020) "The 'to do' race in Mississippi !!" (about: 2020) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 After being denied the opportunity to run marathons in 2020 due to Covid, I was elated to have the opportunity to run a marathon. This marathon was amazing! The organization was flawless, the course is beautiful and the swag is awesome. No complaints...only compliments!!!
Leigh Ceci from Tallahassee, Florida (12/17/2020) "Strong leadership enables runners to run!" (about: 2020) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 So thankful for the race director and crew to allow runners to finally run a 2020 marathon! Very good COVID protocols were in place and runners were very compliant! It can be done and was done! The course was beautiful and flat. There is some wind as most of the race is run adjacent to the water. Excellent medals. I would HIGHLY recommend this race!
Bill Meirink from St Louis, MO (1/5/2020) "Pretty Cool Race" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If you like a flat course, this is your race. Loved the course & scenery. Weather was not a factor. Enjoyed the finish line inside the stadium. Everything was well organized. Plenty of beautiful hotels to choose from. No major complaints. Spectators are pretty much non existent. Plenty of water stops along course. I enjoyed by double down award (tray) for completing the 5k & marathon.
g. j. from oklahoma (12/10/2018) "fast and flat" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very easy packet pickup,shuttle bus, and finish line in one spot. course was about as flat as it gets except for last couple of miles. Perfect running weather this year with tailwind. nice support.
Jonathan Jones from MS (9/30/2018) "Flat & fun. Great end inside baseball stadium" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was great, very well laid out. Not many spectators, but those there were very friendly and supportive. The expo was not very good, but that's not why I run. Also, in 2017, the course was 0.2 miles short. Yep, that sucked. The error should not have happened, but the apology was great. If you were trying to qualify for Boston or set a true PR, then this sucked, but if you just wanted a great race, it was great. Obviously, I think they learned their lesson and the course will be the proper length this year.

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Marathon Details - Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon