The Magnolia Marathon & Half in Meridian, MS will not hold its annual event in 2023. The organizers have decided to take a year off from the annual event. We will reevaluate the race again to possibly return in 2024. We are grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, the city of …
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The Magnolia Marathon & Half in Meridian, MS will not hold its annual event in 2023.
The organizers have decided to take a year off from the annual event. We will reevaluate the race again to possibly return in 2024.
We are grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, the city of Meridian and the many runners who have supported this event since its inception.
–Evelyn Kowall, Race Director
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Your Magnolia committee is hard at work to gathering feedback from participants to make the Magnolia Marathon & Half even better. If you’re looking for a race with great parking, super family friendly, and an exceptional bunch of volunteers who want you to have a good time, give us a try.
Each participant will receive an official Magnolia Marathon & Half t-shirt. Volunteers will receive an official “race volunteer” t-shirt. Each participant will enjoy fruit, food, water and other beverages during the post race party. Must have ID for beer.
Marathon USATF# (MS17001MS)
Half Marathon USATF# (MS17003MS)
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Love this race!
This race is a must to run! The communication and organization is on point. Pretty good on course aid. The roads are NOT closed, but the police do a pretty … MORE
This race is a must to run! The communication and organization is on point. Pretty good on course aid. The roads are NOT closed, but the police do a pretty good job making sure everyone is safe. Running back through down town on your way out for the second loop is a nice mood booster as everyone is cheering you on.
A great Meridian tradition
Great course, plenty of parking, well organized by very experienced people. Plenty of volunteers and water stations. The medals are handmade locally and different each year. MORE
Great course, plenty of parking, well organized by very experienced people. Plenty of volunteers and water stations. The medals are handmade locally and different each year.
Great well managed race!
This race was a well put together race. Open course to traffic but there were police everywhere making it safe. Course was marked heavily and there were volunteers everywhere. MORE
This race was a well put together race. Open course to traffic but there were police everywhere making it safe. Course was marked heavily and there were volunteers everywhere.
Beautiful course, terrific volunteer
If you love old houses, fall colors, efficient check-in, friendly people, and distinctive medals, this is absolutely the race for you. If you hate hills, maybe not. MORE
If you love old houses, fall colors, efficient check-in, friendly people, and distinctive medals, this is absolutely the race for you. If you hate hills, maybe not.
A "RUNNER'S RACE" with HEART!
HIGHLIGHTS: Unique handmade finisher medals, great finish line grub, and post-race stretching & rolling by Total Rehab. LOWLIGHTS: Hilly course but loved the challenge. In a sea of franchise race … MORE
HIGHLIGHTS: Unique handmade finisher medals, great finish line grub, and post-race stretching & rolling by Total Rehab. LOWLIGHTS: Hilly course but loved the challenge.
In a sea of franchise race series, the Magnolia Marathon & Half is truly a hidden gem. It boasts similar amenities to those found at a chain event (and many you won’t) without the corporate price tag. The Magnolia Marathon & Half offers many of the same benefits as a big-time race, but with a home-town feel!
READ MY FULL REVIEW (which includes details and pics!) by clicking on the “Race Report” located at the top of this page if you’re on your phone OR to your right if you’re on a desktop. Or find it on my website (RUNable.life) under the “Race Reviews & Blog” section.
Awesome race. All details covered
Hotels are about 1 1/2 miles away. Soon one will be a block away. Plenty of local eating places nearby. Fun race. Plenty of food afterwards. MORE
Hotels are about 1 1/2 miles away. Soon one will be a block away. Plenty of local eating places nearby. Fun race. Plenty of food afterwards.
Great race that will test your endurance
This was my first time running Meridian and I had heard that there are hills. Being from Columbus, hills are no stranger but I was not ready! Hills on hills … MORE
This was my first time running Meridian and I had heard that there are hills. Being from Columbus, hills are no stranger but I was not ready! Hills on hills on hills! Through it all I got a PR on those hills. It was a great course, beautiful scenery, and great support overall. I will definitely do this race again.
Small town race~big town feel!
Magnolia is a challenging race for flat landers from Florida. The hills can be tough but the course has it's share of flat and down hill areas. Aid stations are … MORE
Magnolia is a challenging race for flat landers from Florida. The hills can be tough but the course has it’s share of flat and down hill areas. Aid stations are perfectly staged and volunteers were always near. The course is well marked on the road as well as with signs. Love that this one benefits Alzheimer’s research.
Great race with great support
If you like hills, this is the race for you. Although the course was challenging, this was a great race! It was well organized and had amazing support throughout the … MORE
If you like hills, this is the race for you. Although the course was challenging, this was a great race! It was well organized and had amazing support throughout the entire course. The finisher’s medals are one of a kind, hand made, wooden medals that are unique and amazing. I would highly recommend everyone run this race at least once (although after you’ve run it once, you’re sure to sign up for it year after year!)
Very Nice Small Marathon in Mississippi
The Magnolia Marathon was my 38th marathon and 23rd state. The race was very well organized, the course was extremely well marked, and the volunteers were enthusiastic and very friendly. … MORE
The Magnolia Marathon was my 38th marathon and 23rd state. The race was very well organized, the course was extremely well marked, and the volunteers were enthusiastic and very friendly.
Logistically, this race couldn’t have been easier. I found a cheap direct flight into New Orleans and drove the 3 hours up to Meridian. I stayed at the host hotel and was able to reserve a room on short notice. Packet pick-up was held at the hotel and the start/finish of the race was only a short 8 minute drive away. Parking was a breeze in a ramp right next to the start.
This course has hills! Lots of them. Long, short, steep, not-so-steep and you run them all twice on the double loop. That being said, I think running challenging courses is part of doing the 50 states and if I wanted to run the same flat course I would just stay home! The small size of the race meant that I ran the second loop alone, but the course was so well marked I never worried about a wrong turn. There were plenty of police at intersections and even when there weren’t, the cars would yield to let me pass.
The medals are hand-made out of magnolia wood–I’m sorry I missed the chance to have mine signed by the artist. The age group awards are also hand-carved out of magnolia into the shape of the state of Mississippi. What a special keepsake from my Mississippi marathon! Thanks to all the great people in Meridian who make this race such a success!
Marathon in Mississippi? Magnolia is it!
This was my first small-town race, and it did NOT disappoint. Being the state of hospitality, the organizers involved were amazing for a smooth race experience. The staff and volunteers … MORE
This was my first small-town race, and it did NOT disappoint. Being the state of hospitality, the organizers involved were amazing for a smooth race experience. The staff and volunteers were the stalwart heroes for the cheer, traffic control, and aid stations. The city of Meridian is beautiful. The hills are challenging, but hey, a marathon isn’t a walk in the park. The race’s medal is handcrafted and cut from true Magnolia, so this will be a wonderful keepsake for the years ahead.
Great Race
Awesome handmade finishers medal you can get signed by the artist. Great volunteers Cool scenic course going from downtown and through historic neighborhoods. Definitely do it again MORE
Awesome handmade finishers medal you can get signed by the artist.
Great volunteers
Cool scenic course going from downtown and through historic neighborhoods.
Definitely do it again
A Race that gets it right
Evelyn and her staff do amazing to provide info, remember info about their runners and make it a memorable experience. If you want a finisher medal from the heart, a … MORE
Evelyn and her staff do amazing to provide info, remember info about their runners and make it a memorable experience. If you want a finisher medal from the heart, a race to touch your heart, and a course that will leave ya smiling….. This is for you!!!
Showcases the best of Meridian
Olive Garden dinner at packet pickup was a pleasant surprise! The t-shirt is nice. The magnolia wood medal was a nice touch. The course showcases the best of Meridian. The … MORE
Olive Garden dinner at packet pickup was a pleasant surprise! The t-shirt is nice. The magnolia wood medal was a nice touch.
The course showcases the best of Meridian. The downtown area and Poplar Springs Drive were beautiful. Running through the tunnel was pretty cool!
This race is small, but had lots of volunteers and police support. There were still a few times that car traffic seemed too close to and disrespectful of those of us running. Water stops and porta-potties were frequent along the course.
I look forward to participating again next year!
Hit and Miss on this One
The good: GU at every water station (every 2 miles) The bad: It was a small race with very few marathon finishers. I was severely dehydrated and when I told … MORE
The good:
GU at every water station (every 2 miles)
The bad:
It was a small race with very few marathon finishers. I was severely dehydrated and when I told the volunteer at the finish she just told me to vomit on the sidewalk and walked away. Most volunteers were good.
Small town race with Hospitality.
I have been involved with the planning committee every year for this event. I served as Race Director for 2017. This race is small and intends to stay a small … MORE
I have been involved with the planning committee every year for this event. I served as Race Director for 2017.
This race is small and intends to stay a small town race. The original course start and finish was at Northeast Park. A NEW COURSE was implemented beginning in 2017! The new downtown double loop course begins at Meridian City Hall and winds through most Historic Districts of Meridian as well as through some historic neighborhoods. It is USATF Certified.
MEDALS: The finisher medals are made of Magnolia wood and stamped with the race logo. The Magnolia tree is the state Tree of Mississippi. The magnolia tree(s) used were cut from local private land owners (by permission). They are handmade by the RD’s father. The medals are different each year – For the past 3 years the number of sides has indicated the year (2017 was the 6th Anniversary – the medallions had 6 sides). The overall and age group awards are also made of magnolia wood and are in the shape of Mississippi. A local artist painted the overall awards.
Photos and videos are on the website, along with course maps.