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Mississippi Blues Marathon & Half Marathon

February 22, 2025
Jackson
Road
Distances
Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5k, Relay
Starting Time

7:30 AM

Fees

$80+

Perfect For

Ready to sign up?

100-500
Some Hills
Small Town
High: 62°
/ Low: 45°

Set to mark its 17th annual running this year as the Mississippi Blues Marathon & Half Marathon, this 26.2- and 13.1-mile race through the city streets of the state’s capital city of Jackson actually traces its roots back to the mid-1970s, when the first Mississippi Marathon was run through portions of Jackson as well as the surrounding towns and neighborhoods.

After the race was later moved to the state’s Natchez Trace area, race organizers in Jackson two years ago re-branded and re-energized their own city’s marathon and half marathon event around the native music of the state and the region, and the Mississippi Blues race was born.

The updated version of the race takes place all within the city of Jackson, along an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at the city’s Jackson Convention Complex on East Pascagoula Street, just a few blocks away from the Mississippi governor’s mansion. From there, the course winds through downtown neighborhoods and tree-lined streets like those through Bellhaven, where runners run past the home of legendary Southern writer (and Mississippi native) Eudora Welty. Along the race route, runners also pass by two of Jackson’s college campuses, including Jackson State University, Millsaps College, and Bellhaven College, and run the part of the city known as Flowood before heading back up along Pinehurst and Riverside Drive toward the finish line back in the Fondren district. Though there are some flat stretches along the course, much of the race is hilly and challenging, race organizers add, especially around the half-way point in the race as well as around mile markers 10 and 11. The terrain for the race is paved surfaces throughout, along the city streets of Jackson.
Overview
Set to mark its 17th annual running this year as the Mississippi Blues Marathon & Half Marathon, this 26.2- and 13.1-mile race through the city streets of the state’s capital city of Jackson actually traces its roots back to the mid-1970s, when the first Mississippi Marathon was run through portions of Jackson as well as the surrounding towns and neighborhoods. After the race was later moved to the state’s Natchez Trace area, race organizers in Jackson two years ago re-branded and re-energized their own city’s marathon and half marathon event around the native music of the state and the region, and the Mississippi Blues race was born.
The updated version of the race takes place all within the city of Jackson, along an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at the city’s Jackson Convention Complex on East Pascagoula Street, just a few blocks away from the Mississippi governor’s mansion. From there, the course winds through downtown neighborhoods and tree-lined streets like those through Bellhaven, where runners run past the home of legendary Southern writer (and Mississippi native) Eudora Welty. Along the race route, runners also pass by two of Jackson’s college campuses, including Jackson State University, Millsaps College, and Bellhaven College, and run the part of the city known as Flowood before heading back up along Pinehurst and Riverside Drive toward the finish line back in the Fondren district. Though there are some flat stretches along the course, much of the race is hilly and challenging, race organizers add, especially around the half-way point in the race as well as around mile markers 10 and 11. The terrain for the race is paved surfaces throughout, along the city streets of Jackson.

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Mississippi Blues Marathon & Half Marathon Course Map

Distances
Marathon, Half Marathon, 5k, Relay
Starting Time

7:30 AM

Fees

$80+

Perfect For

Ready to sign up?

Train with Runna

Use code HALF for 2 weeks FREE

Ready to sign up?

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