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Mississippi > Mississippi River Marathon & Half Marathon
Greenville, MS • Saturday, February 9, 2013 • Course Map
With the exception of races in places like Miami or Key West, this race is no doubt in the running for one of the flattest anywhere in the United States, as it is run along the banks of what is perhaps America's most storied river, the winding Mississippi River that gives the race its name, making its inaugural running in the late winter season of 2013.
The race organizers -- a pair of Teach for America teachers who came up with the idea for the race while working at Lakeside High School in nearby Lake Village, Ark. -- note that the race takes runners through some forgotten pieces of the nation's history, including the site where Charles Lindbergh made his first nighttime flight as well as the largest ox-bow lake anywhere in the United States. (What is an "ox-bow" lake, you ask? It's a U-shaped body of water made by diverting water from a river -- in this case, the Mississippi River.)
Runners can choose between running 26.2 or 13.1 miles, and the half marathon course will start at the mid-way point of the full marathon route, near the intersection of Highway 82/278 and Levee Road. From there, runners head northeast and almost immediately hit the recently opened 82 Bridge that spans the river and features the only hilly stretch anywhere along the race course. After they make it over and down the bridge -- also known as the Greenville Bridge -- runners then head northeast along the highway into Greenville, along fast and flat paved terrain the entire rest of the way.
The race finishes in downtown Greenville, the home of famed writers William Alexander Percy and Shelby Foote (the author of the beloved Civil War trilogy and the face of Ken Burns's The Civil War documentary in 1990 for PBS) as well as Muppets creator Jim Henson. Runners will head north along Washington Avenue all the way into the city, turning left near the courthouse to head in to the finish line near the riverfront park, Stein Mart Park.
Shuttle buses will take runners in both races to each starting line, as runners will meet at the finish line to board the buses to the start. Runners in the full marathon will have 7 hours to complete their 26.2 miles, while those running the half marathon will have 6 hours to finish their race. Musicians will be out on the course playing Delta blues music, organizers add, and proceeds from the race will go to benefit Teach for America.
Race Weather & Climate
Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi on the state's eastern border with Arkansas, about 120 miles northwest of Jackson and roughly 150 miles southeast of Memphis, Tenn., Greenville typically sees February temperatures that average between 58°F and 37°F, while precipitation amounts average about 4.7 inches for the month. On the day of the race (Feb. 9), the average high is 56°F and the average low is 35°F.
Course Map
View the race route map for the Mississippi River Half Marathon
Fees
$50 for the half marathon, if registered by October 9, 2012
$60 between Oct. 10 - December 9
$70 between Dec. 10 - February 7, 2013
$80 at the race packet pickup, and on the day of the race
Registration
To sign up for the late winter 2013 running of Greenville's Mississippi River Marathon or Half Marathon race, register online at the race website.
Official Race Website
www.msrivermarathon.com
Leave a Comment
Ever run in Mississippi's annual Mississippi River Marathon or Half Marathon? Share your impressions, stories and tips from the event.
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