Stephen Losey's Staging Area

Second, Time around doing a race with fresh junkies racing as I had competed in the Louisiana Marathon with them as well, and once again, I was completely blown away with their over the top production for such a small-ish mid-level race. These guys know what they’re doing. I wish they were in charge of some way bigger races that don’t operate even half as good.

Let’s start out with the small expo that they produce but it absolutely has everything you want need and desire, including race specific swag items that are 2nd to none.

Transportation to the start of this point-to-point race was flawless, and the buses just stay there in case of bad weather, as they have plenty of buses for a one-way trip for every race participant, and I absolutely blows my mind.

This race course is absolutely pancake flat minus mile 24 1/2 to 25 1/2 which is a bit of a challenge running up at Cloverleaf after zero elevation gain but as somebody from the Midwest it was not an issue except for the 20 mile an hour headwind, which they obviously can’t do anything about.

Finishing inside the baseball park stadium was a absolute thrill and being up on the Jumbotron coming across the finish line what is a very special touch. After race, food and drink was plentiful and varied, including all of the other southern favors that you would want to have both in the way of food and beverage from local breweries.

Race swag is everything you wanted to be with a nice comfy T-shirt and a beautiful metal which happened to be a really cool turtle for the marathon this year that I really enjoyed

Cannot recommend Mississippi gulf coast, marathon enough to friends and foe alike would be an absolute great first marathon or 50 state addition.

This was my 2nd World Major and after completing all 6 I can honestly state that it is by far the titanium standard for Marathons around the world that I judge all other Large Marathons by at this time. There really is nothing like NYC and the unfathomable amount of fans that scream their hearts out for hours on end. I literally thought I would be listening to my earbuds for the race but it turns out the screaming was so loud I couldn’t even hear it. 🙂 Yes, the bridges are a bit of elevation to deal with but there is so much energy radiating off of the crowd that you will absolutely be swept along the course and even though the finish it uphill through Central Park it will all too soon.

This is one of the many marathons we are lucky enough to have in KC. I had been eyeing this race due to its closeness and ability to operate during the COVID year. This is a fine race with no frills and very few course spectators outside of the folks watching the trail from their back decks. The race was all asphalt trail in 2020. It now does some loops around Corporate Woods on roads that are necessary due to the poor condition of the trails. Be ready to self-support and enjoy the solitude of the beautiful trails. A decent race and a value close to home for me.