Inaugural Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half-Marathon Expo
The Expo for the inaugural Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half-Marathon will take place on Friday, January 4, 2008 at the Cabot Lodge Millsaps. The Expo will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Volunteers will be on hand until 10:00 p.m. for late arrivals. More details regarding times for featured speakers will be provided upon confirmation.
Expo Highlights Include:
Sam Thompson
Sam Thompson, the first person to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, will be a featured speaker at the Expo, and will be running the race with you on Saturday. An avid ultra marathoner and a Mississippi native sponsored by The North Face, Sam began running during his high school years in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Always wanting to go further, he has been increasing his race distances ever since. Sam went down to the small town of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi the day after Hurricane Katrina came ashore on August 29, 2005. After completing a run of the Appalachian Trail (over 2,000 miles) about three years ago, Sam had the compulsion to run 51 marathons in 50 days in 50 states. The idyllic nature of his run across the nation felt appealing to reach people both on the local and national level, a voyage to reawaken the nation to the struggles that still remain on the Gulf Coast today.
Sam established what began as a small relief effort and has since blossomed into an operation at its height employing an average of more than 100 volunteers daily. This operation serves mainly the Bay St. Louis/Waveland area, and strives to aid those most in need, though the need is so great for all.
On July 1st, 2006, Sam began his 51 marathons in 50 states in 50 days to raise money and awareness for hurricane Katrina Relief in the Run for Hope. Sam completed the journey in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi on August 19th and continued to lead relief efforts there while continuing training through the end of 2006. He then moved to Seattle, WA where he married Kirsten, the love of his life. Kirsten is a registered dietician at the University of Washington Medical Center and keeps Sam’s diet in line. Sam now works as the sales and marketing manager for Phix (www.phix.com), a new all natural energy supplement company based in Seattle. Sam and Kirsten live happily in their home in Seattle and train in the surrounding mountain playground. His website is www.50in50in50.com.
Luis Bruno
Luis Bruno is the Executive Chef at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion. The story of his incredible weight loss and new life as a runner were featured in the February issue of Runner’s World. Luis will be on hand at the Expo to demonstrate healthy cooking.
Bill Abel
Bill Abel of Deeson, Mississippi, plays the blues all over the world, and is going to play at our Expo as well. For more information about Bill and to hear a little bit of his music, click here.