Frequently Asked Questions

1. 1. When will the marathon take place?
2. 2. Who will benefit from the Mississippi Blues Marathon?
3. 3. Is it a challenging course?
4. 4. Will prize money be available to the winners?
5. 5. Is this a certified course?
6. 6. Will the race have chip timing?
7. 7. Is there a time limit for the Half-Marathon? Full?
8. 8. Is the event walker-friendly?
9. 9. How many aid stations will there be on the course? What race drinks and supplements will be provided?
10. 10. Will there be gear-check stations?
11. 11. Will there be on-line and mail-in registration?
12. 12. Will there be medals for every finisher?
13. 13. Is there a designated hotel with set rates and a block of rooms?
14. 14. Are there hotel shuttles to/from race?
15. 15. Will you have a pre-race dinner?
16. 16. Will there be a pre-race Expo? Do we have to pick up packets at the Expo? Is there race day pickup?
17. 17. Will there be music entertainment as part of the event?
18. 18. What's the weather like in Jackson in January?
19. 19. How does the relay competition work?
20. 20. Is there an event for kids?
21. 21. Can I wear headphones, use a cell phone or push a stroller in the race?

1. When will the marathon take place?
The 2nd annual Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half-Marathon will be on Saturday, January 3, 2009, in Jackson, Mississippi. Start time will be 7:00 a.m. The start and finish areas will be in the historic Fondren district.

Both the marathon and half-marathon will be open to walkers and disabled competitors as well.

2. Who will benefit from the Mississippi Blues Marathon?
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Mississippi Blues Commission . Additionally, the race will focus positive attention on the state and its rich blues heritage. The positive economic impact of this event will be realized from restaurants and hotels patronized by competitors and visitors.

3. Is it a challenging course?
The course is challenging! There are hills in the first half, with a flat, straight section between miles 13 and 18. Work some hills into your training; you'll be glad you did when you hit mile 25! Click here to see a course map and elevation chart.

4. Will prize money be available to the winners?
We are offering a total purse of $30,000 in prize money. Top male and female finishers will receive $4,000 each, and we are offering an additional $1,000 to the top male and female runners who break the course records of 2:25:01 (male) and 2:48:37 (female). Prize money will also be awarded to the top finishers from the Jackson metropolitan area, comprised of Hinds, Rankin and Madison counties.

5. Is this a certified course?
Yes! The courses for the Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half-Marathon have both been certified with USA Track and Field.
Marathon certification is MS07002MS. Half-marathon certification is MS07003MS.

6. Will the race have chip timing?
Yes. The Marathon, Half-Marathon and Relay will all use chip timing. The Kids' Marathon is a fun run and will use clock timing.

7. Is there a time limit for the Half-Marathon? Whole?
Yes; Half – 3.5 hours; Whole – 7 hours.

8. Is the event walker-friendly?
Yes, as long as you can complete the race under the time limits.

9. How many aid stations will there be on the course? What race drinks and supplements will be provided?
There will be a total of 17 aid stations along the course. The race drink on the course will be Gatorade Endurance. Hammer Gel will be provided on the course at miles 8, 15 and 20.

10. Will there be gear-check stations?
Yes.

11. Will there be on-line and mail-in registration?
Yes. Online registration is available for all races (marathon, half-marathon, relay and Kids' Marathon) through www.active.com, and we encourage you to apply online. We will accept hardcopy applications through December 13, 2008. Online registration will be open through midnight on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 (unless it fills up earlier – registration is limited).

12. Will there be medals for every finisher?
Yes. In addition to medals for all finishers of the half and full marathon, age-group awards will be three deep in the standard five-year age categories.

13. Is there a designated hotel with set rates and a block of rooms?
Yes, you can get more information on our Preferred Hotels page, and if you want more information on hotels in the area, you can check the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau website, or call them at 1-800-354-7695 or 601-960-1891.

14. Are there hotel shuttles to/from race?
TBD

15. Will you have a pre-race dinner?
We are working to determine the level of interest. If we do not, we will provide information about area restaurants.

16. Will there be a pre-race Expo? Do we have to pick up packets at the Expo? Is there race day pickup?
You bet! The Expo will take place on Friday, January 2 at the Mississippi TelCom Center, located at 105 Pascagoula Street in downtown Jackson. The Expo will feature vendors from around the country, plus live blues music and a chance to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones! We encourage you to pick up your packets at the Expo.

Marathon legend Bill Rodgers will also speak at the Expo. Check back for details regarding his appearance!

Please be sure to bring a photo ID for packet pick-up!

For Expo details, see the Expo page.

17. Will there be music entertainment as part of the event?
Yes, most definitely! While showing off the hospitality of our state, we want to entertain those from near and far with a great mix of authentic blues music and showcase our rich history, heritage and culture of this genre. We will have musical entertainment before, during and after the event. During the race, bands will be stationed along the course. We'll also have music in the finish area, and be prepared for a great evening of blues on Saturday night!

18. What’s the weather like in Jackson in January?
The average high temperature in Jackson in January is 55 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

19. How does the relay competition work?
We are offering a relay for corporate and open relay teams. Teams are limited to five competitors. The first four competitors will complete five miles, and pass their chip off at the 5, 10, 15 and 20 mile marks. The final competitor will complete a 10K (the final 6.2 miles of the course). You can register online for the Relay event, or click here for the registration page where you can download a copy of the application.

20. Is there an event for kids?
Yes! The Kids' Marathon is open to all children between the ages of 6 and 13. The start time is 8:00 a.m. on January 3, and all participants in the Kids' Marathon will complete a hilly, one-mile course through the historic Fondren neighborhood before running through the official finish of the inaugural Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half-Marathon! Parents are welcome to run alongside their children and/or take photos at the finish line. We encourage online registration for the Kids' Marathon, but a paper registration form is available. See the Kids' Marathon page.

21. Can I wear headphones, use a cell phone or push a stroller in the race?
The safety of all participants is a primary concern, and headphones, cell phones, iPods and strollers can cause problems along the course - so we request that you refrain from using them during the race. And, since we are certified by USATF, we must follow their regulations regarding headphones, specifically Rule 144.3(b), which states that "The visible possession or use by athletes of video or audio cassette recorders or players, TVs, CD or DVD players, radio transmitters or receivers, mobile phones, computers, or any similar devices in the competition area shall not be permitted."