I'm local to this race, but this was my first time running it. I used this as a training run for a full marathon. The expo is small, with a … MORE
I’m local to this race, but this was my first time running it. I used this as a training run for a full marathon. The expo is small, with a few vendors, usually in a local casino. There was a combination of races over the weekend; I completed the 10K and Half, so I received three medals. The course is point-to-point; you will run along the Gulf of Mexico. Expect warm temperatures, even in October. This race is small so there is no crowd support. Also, a bus will pick you up at the host hotel and transport you to the starting line.
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Beachside View
I'm local to this race, but this was my first time running it. I used this as a training run for a full marathon. The expo is small, with a … MORE
I’m local to this race, but this was my first time running it. I used this as a training run for a full marathon. The expo is small, with a few vendors, usually in a local casino. There was a combination of races over the weekend; I completed the 10K and Half, so I received three medals. The course is point-to-point; you will run along the Gulf of Mexico. Expect warm temperatures, even in October. This race is small so there is no crowd support. Also, a bus will pick you up at the host hotel and transport you to the starting line.
Great Well Organized Race
Get there a little early to make sure you get the bus ride to the start. Well organized and decent on course aid. Flat as a pancake except for that … MORE
Get there a little early to make sure you get the bus ride to the start. Well organized and decent on course aid. Flat as a pancake except for that bridge lol. Will be running this one again. The finisher’s medal was awesome and the shirt was nice.
small but so pretty!
Small race, but wow oh-so-pretty! The entire course is along the coast, so you get beautiful beach views. The casino bridge is NO JOKE, almost 2 miles long and with … MORE
Small race, but wow oh-so-pretty! The entire course is along the coast, so you get beautiful beach views. The casino bridge is NO JOKE, almost 2 miles long and with a pretty serious incline (but that’s your only incline of the race). I’ve got a thing for running bridges so…this race hit all my sweet spots. Glad I chose this as my Mississippi race!
Inaugural Harley Half, Biloxi MS 2021
We had to make a hard choice: Big Beach in Gulf Shores AL or the inaugural Harley Half Marathon in Biloxi MS. While I enjoy Big Beach because a lot … MORE
We had to make a hard choice: Big Beach in Gulf Shores AL or the inaugural Harley Half Marathon in Biloxi MS. While I enjoy Big Beach because a lot of our friends do this race, Harley Half was a first time event. As a Half Fanatic/Marathon Maniac Ambassador fo LA, AL and MS, I opted for Harley Half vs Big Beach so that I could report back to the club. Glad I did!
The race started with everyone gathering at the MS Gulf Coast Coliseum. After announcements, pottie stops and the National Anthem, runners marched across the street to the start on Hwy 90, which had blocked off a lane for the run. Hwy () run East/West along the Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches. Race start… 7:30 with a rolling start.
Weather forecast was rain around noon or later. Wrong! Rain started around 8:30 and it was off and on, misty or heavy almost til the end!
If you are familiar with the Mississippi Gulf Coast race the first four miles is the same as the MGC last four miles-minus the run up the ramp! Nope, no ramp this time… but a bridge the locals call the Casino Bridge!
Continuing on for a couple of miles you pass the Beau Rivage, Hard Rock Cafe Casino, Harrahs and the Golden Nugget Casino (race host). You then head up the bridge on a pedestrian walkway. It had two elevations (see the picture) as it crossed over the bay from Biloxi to Ocean Springs.
Once in Ocean Springs, as you descend the bridge, you take an immediate right and you are on Beach Blvd. To the right is the Biloxi Bay with nice sandy beaches and to the left, some really nice homes! Encompassing a little over 2 miles, you make your way down to the Marina, do a little loop and back up Beach Blvd with the bridge in full view, ominous in its own way!
The last 2 miles crosses the bridge and takes you to the finish line at the Golden Nugget! The race director, Mike Pate, was at the corner of the Casino entrance to the finish line congratulating each runner as they came in. That was a very nice touch. The after party was definitely Covid limited but they had beer and snacks. Beer is always good!
The medal was unique and nicely designed. You could pick up extra bling if you did the Casino Bridge 5K and/or 10K the day before! The first 300 who signed up received a cool embroidered 1/4 Zip jacket while others got a nice tech shirt.
The race was done by Harley Sports, not stranger to races, sponsoring a number of 5K and 10K events. Mike Pate, Owner and Race Director did an excellent job and was very accommodating. So, logistics for the most part were well done!
Water stops every two miles manned by different groups of people, especially the Air Force ROTC group from St Martin’s High school who encouraged each runner onward! The Biloxi Police provided excellent and courteous traffic control, especially in front of the Casinos!
The main suggestions would be to have more Porta Potties at the start, 2 at the first water station and 1 at alternating water stops after that. They didn’t have a normal Expo due to Covid but they did have a couple of vendors like Brook Shoes in separate rooms next to packet pick up, making it Covid protocol friendly. Monster was a sponsor but I don’t think they estimated the number of Monster drinks needed!
This race could definitely be a contender as a Mississippi destination race as it continues to grow. In talking to the RD, he said plans were being discussed to make Harley a Challenge race with another well known event in the future! Stay tuned!
Recommendation? You bet! We would do it again! I wanted to give it an overall rating of 4.5 as an Inaugural race but it wasn’t an option. So, it is a strong 4 , giving it a little more room to grow!