Coast Marathon is bringing 3,500 runners, lane closures on US 90 this weekend

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon returns this weekend for its fourth year, bringing nearly 3,500 runners from all over the United States and three other countries.

It will also bring lane closures on U.S. 90 in Harrison County on Sunday morning.

Events kicks off Friday, when runners can register and pick up their packets at Runner Village in MGM Park.

A 5K race (3.1 miles) for adults and a fun run for kids (1.2 miles) is Saturday morning, followed by a post-race party at Point Cadet Plaza. The full (26.2 miles) and half 13.1 miles) marathon is bright and early Sunday starting at 7 a.m., with another post-race party at MGM Park.

“We’re excited to welcome visitors from around the country this coming weekend,” Strategic Partnerships Director Craig Sweeney said in a press release. “It’s great to see such vast diversity of people visiting the Coast.”

The race has grown each year, the press release said, and this year 57% of the runners are from outside of Mississippi, including 48 states, Canada, Mexico and Poland.

The marathon also allows runners to earn ranking points for the second edition of the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings.

“As a native of the Coast, it is exciting to see the positive effect this event has had on the running community both locally and regionally, and watching so many runners pass down the streets where I grew up is just incredible,” said Pat Fellows, Finish Fest director and co-founder of the marathon.

“Anyone can walk or jog a 5K, and it’s a great chance to introduce themselves to possibility of one day aspiring to do our longer Sunday events.”

Cones out

Parts of U.S. 90 and the on-ramp to Interstate 110 will close to traffic Sunday morning.

The Biloxi Police Department said it will start setting out cones at 3:30 a.m. in the eastbound lanes.

The right eastbound lane will be closed from Pass Christian’s East Scenic Drive to downtown Biloxi’s Caillavet Street from 6 a.m. until the last runner passes.

In Pass Christian, westbound lanes between Henderson Point’s Fort Henry Street to Espy Avenue will be closed from 6-9 a.m.

In Gulfport, both eastbound lanes will close from 6-8 a.m. to start the half marathon. Once all runners reach Biloxi, police said, they will be in the right lane allowing the left lane of vehicle traffic to continue to travel cautiously.

The first runner should arrive at Debuys Road around 7:20 am.

The course includes a turnaround on I-110, which will take runners back down to highway 90 using the westbound on-ramp. The on-ramp turning lane between I-110 and Caillavet Street will be closed to traffic so runners can complete the marathon at MGM Stadium. Caillavet Street also will be closed to Howard Avenue.

Drivers will be able to travel north on I-110 by using either the Bayview or Division Street on-ramps.

Every intersection will have police officers to direct traffic going north and south, with the right of way given to approaching runners.

Police ask that drivers use caution, and either take another route or plan for extra time to reach their destinations to ensure the safety of everyone.

Schedule

Saturday at Point Cadet Plaza:

• 8 a.m. - Margaritaville 5K starts
• 8:30 a.m. - Food Village & Let’s Go! Gulf Coast Kids Zone opens
• 9:30 a.m. - Chevron Mississippi Kids Marathon starts

Sunday:

• 7 a.m. - Full marathon starts at Henderson Point in Pass Christian and half marathon starts in Gulfport’s Jones Park
• 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Coors Light Finish Festival at MGM Park, offering local seafood, Mississippi-style barbecue

Registration for all race distances is still available online and at the Runner’s Village at MGM Park on Friday.

Late registration and packet pick-up is available from 6–7:30 a.m. Saturday morning for the 5K and Kids Marathon.

To get registered or for more information go to mississippigulfcoastmarathon.com

This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 11:53 AM.