Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon to Lead Over 3000 Runners to First Finish Line Experience in Newly Branded Keesler Federal Park

October 8, 2024

The Park will also host the F.E.B. Finish Fest featuring live music, local food, cold drinks, VIP amenities and more

BILOXI, Miss. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K is returning this Dec. 14 and 15, and thousands of participants will race along the Gulf Coast coastline to be among the first runners to cross the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon finish line in the newly rebranded Keesler Federal Park. The event will also feature the F.E.B. Finish Fest inside Keesler Federal Park, which will include local food, cold drinks, music, a VIP area and ample seating for runners and spectators to utilize for post-run recovery and watch participants complete the race both on the field, and on the stadium jumbotron. Registration is open for all distances.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon and Half Marathon events will both be taking place on Sunday, Dec. 15. The marathon will take runners from Pass Christian to Biloxi, following the coastline for 26.2 miles, while the half marathon will start in Gulfport and follow the same coastline as the marathon for 13.1 miles to Biloxi. Both courses will showcase unobstructed beach views and some of the coast’s most historic homes while providing a fast and flat path. Both races will finish in Keesler Federal Park where participants can celebrate their accomplishments and enjoy the F.E.B. Finish Fest amenities.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon will be hosting additional events, including the Margaritaville 5K, Chevron Kids Marathon (1-mile) and the F.E.B. Grand Slam Beer Mile. The 5K is a point-to-point course starting in Ocean Springs and finishing at Margaritaville Resort in Biloxi. The course takes runners down Front Beach Road, across the Biloxi Bay Bridge and wraps up at the finish line and post-race party at Margaritaville Resort. For participants making the weekend a family event, there is a kids’ 1-mile race, designed as a way to introduce kids to the joy and rewards of running at an early age. The 1-mile course will start and finish at the Margaritaville Resort. The F.E.B. Grand Slam Beer Mile is open to participants 21 and older. The race consists of four beers and four laps around the warning track at Keesler Federal Park. Participants can complete the challenge solo, or bring a team of up to four to complete the event as a relay. All participants of the F.E.B. Grand Slam Beer Mile will receive a custom beer pint glass.

Runners have the opportunity to complete the Double Down challenge by participating in the 5K on Saturday, and one of the two distances offered on Sunday. Those who complete the challenge will be awarded three medals, one for each race completed, as well as the Double Down challenge medal.

In addition, runners looking to earn more bling can run any distance at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon and any distance at the event’s sister race, The Louisiana Marathon, and be awarded a third medal for completing the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Beach~2~Bayou Challenge. Distances can be mixed and matched at both events, but the Kids Marathon distances are excluded from the challenge.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon was rated the Best Marathon in the U.S. in RaceRaves 2023 Runners Choice awards. These results were based on votes from runners nationwide and ratings and reviews on RaceRaves.com. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Half Marathon was also recognized as the top road race in the state of Mississippi in 2023 by Running USA’s Industry Insights Report, with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon 5K also ranking 4th, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon ranking 7th. These results were based on total finishers at each individual race.

For more information about the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, visit mississippigulfcoastmarathon.com and follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST MARATHON AND FRESHJUNKIE RACING

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon held its inaugural event in 2016, and has continued to host an annual event that showcases the local culture with a scenic beachside run from Pass Christian to Biloxi. The event also features the Chevron Kids Marathon 1 Mile Run, Margaritaville 5K, the F.E.B. Grand Slam Beer Mile and Beer Mile relays. The event is produced by FRESHJUNKIE Racing (FJR,) an endurance event production company specializing in running races and fundraising walks headquartered in Baton Rouge, La. FJR produces 20 events annually in Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. Of those 20 events, 13 are part of the company’s owned portfolio. FJR’s expertise goes far beyond race logistics & operations, with services ranging from marketing & creative development to complete turn-key production. For more information about FJR, visit www.freshjunkieracing.com and follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

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