Viking Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
Greenwood, MS
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Located in the heart of the fabled Mississippi Delta, the Viking Half Marathon, 10K and 5K promises Southern charm, fast times, and an unbelievable race experience. From the time you arrive in Greenwood, you can expect great local culture, an array of fabulous food, and warm Southern hospitality. The races … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Mar 28):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 65 | 81 | 69 | 69 | 77 |
| L (°F) | 47 | 65 | 39 | 52 | 49 |
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Small town race, great support
For the book/film lover in your life, Greenwood MS is the shooting location of the movie the Help. I have not read or seen it yet and cannot comment. However, … MORE
For the book/film lover in your life, Greenwood MS is the shooting location of the movie the Help. I have not read or seen it yet and cannot comment. However, the distance from Memphis was just right and the timing was perfect. Signed up week before the race, and missed out on a space at the hotel (Alluvian) by the finish line. However, there are several other hotels within ~7 min so no big deal.
Day of packet pick up at the Alluvian was easy with shirt, bib, and little treats from sponsors around town. This is a small race (maybe 70-80 for the half, 70-80 for the 5K, and 30 for the 10K) but it had everything I needed. Support from Start2Finish out of Memphis kept the route clear for the 10K/half runners who started at the same time, and may have been confused during the back and forth turns on the beginning half of the course. They did a great job supporting, and while spectators were pretty minimal (outside of a few folks watching from their yard), it felt like we had plenty of crowd support for such a small race. You will get plenty of water (once a mile or so) but be prepared–there are about two port-a-pot stops at mile 6 and mile 7.5. Before/after, I wish you luck. Other than that, I was really pleased with the event management, local police and support, and road management. They even had an escort for the last runner to complete the half, it was really cool how engaged everyone was in the race.
While small, there is tons of food and drink after the finish line. This year, it was catfish and fries plus hushpuppies, tamales, and chicken wraps. There are also beers, soda, and water, along with the classic banana. Since this race is so small, don’t forget to check if you won an age group or overall award. I am not of the speed to make the cut normally, but still got a nice award (wooden spoon pressed with the event and year). Overall, great support, good race size, and everything I could ask for from a small town race.
Small, local race, but well staffed
The "Viking" in the name is a reference to the company that makes Viking stoves, which is headquartered in town. The race is small, very, very flat, and it winds … MORE
The “Viking” in the name is a reference to the company that makes Viking stoves, which is headquartered in town. The race is small, very, very flat, and it winds through town – not a very big town, but pleasant.
Viking Half - Southern City Charm
Half #174 is in the bag! Saturday, March 20 was a nippy day for running in the Viking Half Marathon in Greenwood MS! I love Greenwood’s small Town charm and … MORE
Half #174 is in the bag!
Saturday, March 20 was a nippy day for running in the Viking Half Marathon in Greenwood MS! I love Greenwood’s small Town charm and especially the flat course. Greenwood is the home of the Viking Corp, known for its top line stoves and ranges and cookware.
It is a small race around 150 Half Marathoners and they also had a 5K. The swag bag was loaded with local goodies from businesses in the city!
The course took in many sites of the old beautiful southern town. Starting downtown, you ran past the courthouse and past the old train depot. You ran alongside the Yazoo River and then across a older steel style bridge. In addition to the Yazoo River, you also ran alongside the Talahatchie River.
The course took us through a lot of nice residential areas that include homes large and small, old southern homes to new homes with a modern look. Overall, old or new, Greenwood has been able to retain the southern small town charm over the years.
Water stations were well manned with friendly volunteers who were well organized by Start 2 Finish, an event group out of Memphis, TN.
City of Greenwood Police were some of the friendliest law enforcement people we have ever met. While much of the course was open to traffic, the police did their job expertly and the local drivers maneuver with respect towards the runners!
After the race, runners were treated to Mississippi farm raised fried catfish with all the southern fixins, chicken wraps and topped off with Truly and Michelin Ultra beer, which my husband David, The Cowbell Guy, enjoyed!
This has become one of my favorite Mississippi races. And, I will be back again! Join me??
Tamales were great
Small town, small race Big heart. Packet pickup up was smooth and race shirt was Godawful as all race shirts should be. If i had to say the color was … MORE
Small town, small race Big heart. Packet pickup up was smooth and race shirt was Godawful as all race shirts should be. If i had to say the color was safety orange. Course was super flat. Beautiful scenery. Support was great and almost at every mile. Medals were nice and heavy. After party was nice and yes the tamales form honest Abe’s donuts were the perfect finish. Oh and as a bonus after the race we drove over to visit Robert Johnson’s grave. We will be back next year.
Nice small town event
The course is crazy flat and fast, there are absolutely no "hills" to speak of, with the only elevation changes coming from twice going over a bridge and a little … MORE
The course is crazy flat and fast, there are absolutely no “hills” to speak of, with the only elevation changes coming from twice going over a bridge and a little rise at mile 7. Stay at the Alluvian hotel and you only have a two-block walk to both the start and the finish — where they have free beer! The town of Greenwood is small and some parts of it are old, but there are a few nice sights to see, especially along the historic Grand Avenue. Not much crowd support but the locals are proud of the race and do come out to show encouragement to the runners.