This race has so many positives. First, the race is run by a most talented race director. Helen sent enough emails ahead of the race that I felt prepared, but … MORE
This race has so many positives. First, the race is run by a most talented race director. Helen sent enough emails ahead of the race that I felt prepared, but not so many that it was too much. I can tell she genuinely cared about the racers because she knew who I was before I even introduced myself.
The course is a gorgeous run through Mississippi forest. It is four 8 mile loops. About 7.5 of the miles are on trails or grass with about 1/2 mile on pavement. The course is challenging but fair. There are some hills but I wouldn’t call it hilly, The challenging part is there are very few flat stretches and sometimes the grass sections can be draining on energy. The course itself is beautiful. It’s mostly through forest with some meadows as well. The forest stretches have variation too. Some stretches are mostly pine trees, where other stretches have palmettos. The 8 mile loops were long enough that they never felt monotonous. The course was incredibly well marked and at no point was I confused on where to turn. There was an aid station at 4.3 miles and then one at the start/finish. That was enough. The only suggestion I have for improvement on the course would be a mile marker half way before the aid station and after. Maybe a mile 2 and mile 6 marker to help gauge your pace.
The weather for our race was perfect, 70 and sunny. I heard late October is a great time for a race there.
The SWAG was about what you expect. The race shirt was a regular t-shirt (not a tech running shirt) which I liked. I wish the shirt would have mentioned that the race was in Mississippi though.
The lodging next to the race is solid. It’s a no frills, everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s dirt cheap, $50/night for two beds. I stayed two nights with a friend so I was only out $50. The rooms are right next to the start/finish line which was super convenient. Plus, there were two dinners and a breakfast served so you really don’t need to go anywhere from the time you arrive Friday night to when you leave Sunday morning.
The best part of the race was the community of runners. Many seemed like they knew each other. I was a newbie and everyone made me feel like I was part of the group, not an outsider. After the race, many of us gathered around to watch football, play corn hole, and eat dinner together. There was so much laughing, eating, and drinking after the race.
This is one of the most enjoyable, well-run races I have ever been a part of. I highly recommend this for those looking for an authentic Mississippi experience, in a small, homey feeling race. While one could just do the race and enjoy it, if possible, the experience will be greatly enhanced if you can make a weekend out of it, stay Friday and Saturday nights on site, and really get to know the wonderful community that supports this run.
Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful
This race has so many positives. First, the race is run by a most talented race director. Helen sent enough emails ahead of the race that I felt prepared, but … MORE
This race has so many positives. First, the race is run by a most talented race director. Helen sent enough emails ahead of the race that I felt prepared, but not so many that it was too much. I can tell she genuinely cared about the racers because she knew who I was before I even introduced myself.
The course is a gorgeous run through Mississippi forest. It is four 8 mile loops. About 7.5 of the miles are on trails or grass with about 1/2 mile on pavement. The course is challenging but fair. There are some hills but I wouldn’t call it hilly, The challenging part is there are very few flat stretches and sometimes the grass sections can be draining on energy. The course itself is beautiful. It’s mostly through forest with some meadows as well. The forest stretches have variation too. Some stretches are mostly pine trees, where other stretches have palmettos. The 8 mile loops were long enough that they never felt monotonous. The course was incredibly well marked and at no point was I confused on where to turn. There was an aid station at 4.3 miles and then one at the start/finish. That was enough. The only suggestion I have for improvement on the course would be a mile marker half way before the aid station and after. Maybe a mile 2 and mile 6 marker to help gauge your pace.
The weather for our race was perfect, 70 and sunny. I heard late October is a great time for a race there.
The SWAG was about what you expect. The race shirt was a regular t-shirt (not a tech running shirt) which I liked. I wish the shirt would have mentioned that the race was in Mississippi though.
The lodging next to the race is solid. It’s a no frills, everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s dirt cheap, $50/night for two beds. I stayed two nights with a friend so I was only out $50. The rooms are right next to the start/finish line which was super convenient. Plus, there were two dinners and a breakfast served so you really don’t need to go anywhere from the time you arrive Friday night to when you leave Sunday morning.
The best part of the race was the community of runners. Many seemed like they knew each other. I was a newbie and everyone made me feel like I was part of the group, not an outsider. After the race, many of us gathered around to watch football, play corn hole, and eat dinner together. There was so much laughing, eating, and drinking after the race.
This is one of the most enjoyable, well-run races I have ever been a part of. I highly recommend this for those looking for an authentic Mississippi experience, in a small, homey feeling race. While one could just do the race and enjoy it, if possible, the experience will be greatly enhanced if you can make a weekend out of it, stay Friday and Saturday nights on site, and really get to know the wonderful community that supports this run.