Study shows event boosts Coastal Mississippi economy
Biloxi, Ms. – Runners who missed last year’s Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon have another chance to #soakuptherun. Registration for the race in Dec. 2022 officially opens Monday offering the best deals and exclusive gear for a limited time.
Runners who register before Mar. 22 will not only receive the lowest price to compete, but they will also receive an exclusive “In-Training” shirt to wear as they prepare for the race. The weekend-long event includes a distance for runners of all ages and abilities. The Margaritaville 5K and one-mile Chevron Mississippi Gulf Coast Kids Marathon take place on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. The full and half marathon take place on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon proves to provide a significant economic boost to Coastal Mississippi. According to an economic impact study done by Mississippi State University, the economic impact was over $9.3 million, including spending on hotels, dining out, visiting casinos and more. The study also determined that over 9,000 people attended last year’s event, with about 6,000 coming from out of town.
“We are extremely pleased with the economic impact study results from Mississippi State University,” said Craig Sweeney, Strategic Partnerships Director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon. “Our FRESHJUNKIE Racing events started in Louisiana, and we are thrilled that 24% of the runners are coming from the Bayou State. When we initially started our MS event, we thought we would have 25% out-of-state runners and to have 66% from outside the Gulf Coast is incredible.”
Coastal Mississippi’s 26 miles of white sand beaches are the perfect backdrop for the course that takes runners to the finish line at MGM Park in Biloxi from either Pass Christian for the full marathon or Gulfport for the half marathon. The course is a USATF Certified Boston Qualifier route offering unobstructed beach views and taking runners past some of the coast’s most historic and beautiful homes.
The weekend culminates inside MGM Park with the Yuengling Flight Finish Festival. Runners are featured on the jumbotron as they cross the finish line before heading up to the concourse for food and drinks.
The cost to register goes up increasingly the closer the event gets. The next price increase happens on April 26, 2022.
To register for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon or for more information visit https://www.mississippigulfcoastmarathon.com
ABOUT FRESHJUNKIE RACING:
FRESHJUNKIE Racing is an event production company based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They have been producing a variety of running and multisport events through the southern United States for 12 years.
For more info visit: https://freshjunkieracing.com/
