How do I register for the Mississippi Blues Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners with no lottery or qualifier required. Tiered pricing starts at $80 if you register early and rises to $140 closer to race day, so signing up before the end of March gets you the best rate.

Is the Mississippi Blues Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston entry. That said, the net-positive elevation profile means this is not the easiest course to hit a qualifying time on, so go in with realistic expectations.

What is the time limit?

The time limit is 7 hours, which gives most runners plenty of room to finish without pressure from course cutoffs.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course is a multi-loop design with about 600 feet of cumulative gain and a net positive elevation overall. There's no single overwhelming climb, but the rolling terrain repeats across the loops, so the effort adds up across the back half of the race.

How big is the field?

The recent finisher count is around 131 runners, making this a small, intimate race. Expect a low-key atmosphere without the crowds or corral congestion of larger city marathons.

What is the typical weather on race day?

Race day in late February typically sees lows in the upper 40s and highs around 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions are generally mild but can include wind, and temperatures will climb noticeably over the course of a multi-loop race.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the Mississippi Blues Marathon course is USATF certified, which means the distance is officially validated and results are eligible for Boston qualifying purposes.

Sat, Feb 20 · 2027Jackson, MSSince 2008

Mississippi Blues Marathon

The Mississippi Blues Marathon winds through Jackson on a multi-loop course with genuine rolling terrain and a generous time limit, making it a low-pressure way to chase a Boston qualifier in the heart of the Deep South.

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MISSISSIPPI BLUES · US

Mississippi Blues

SAT, FEB 20

2027

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Race Overview

EST. 2008

The Mississippi Blues Marathon starts and finishes at Veterans Memorial Stadium on the Jackson State University campus, and the multi-loop setup means you'll get to know this city's rolling streets pretty well by the end. The course climbs gradually across the distance, so there's no single monster hill, but the elevation does keep adding up. Be patient in the first loop. What feels easy early will tell a different story by the time you're repeating those same rollers later on.

This is a small race, which is honestly part of the appeal. You won't be fighting for corral space or dodging thousands of runners. The field is tight enough that you'll notice the same faces out on the course, and the atmosphere is low-key in a way that lets you actually focus on your race. Registration is open to anyone and tiered pricing means signing up early saves you money, so there's no lottery stress here. If you're chasing a Boston qualifier, note that the BQ rate is low, which tracks with a net-positive course and a small field. It's doable, but this probably isn't the course you pick if a PR is the only goal. Come for the blues theme, the manageable field, and the generous time limit if you want room to breathe.

Field size

~131

131 finishers

BQ rate

4%

Below national average

Time limit

7:00

Generous cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

The Course

600 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑600 ft

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

381 ft

Lowest point

272 ft

Course shape

Multi loop

Start and finish in one place

The course is a multi-loop design with roughly 600 feet of cumulative gain and a net elevation that climbs across the race. Expect repeated rolling sections rather than one decisive hill. The highest point sits well under 400 feet, so no single climb is brutal, but the elevation never fully resets on a net-positive course. Pacing discipline matters here: the loops mean you'll see the same rises again, and legs that feel fine early can feel heavy on a third pass. Run conservatively through the first loop and treat the familiar terrain as information, not comfort. Surface and exposure details are not published, but February in Jackson means you may encounter wind on exposed stretches.

DIFFICULTYROLLINGPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

47°F

High

62°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

February in Jackson is mild by most standards but not necessarily fast. You'll likely start in the mid-to-upper 40s and warm into the low 60s by the later miles. That's a comfortable range on paper, but a multi-loop course means you're out there long enough to feel the temperature shift. Dress in layers you're fine shedding and don't overdress for the gun just because the morning feels cool. Wind can matter on exposed stretches, so check the forecast the day before. Overall it's a reasonable weather window, but it's no guarantee of a perfect day.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration with tiered pricing: $80 until March 31, $100 until June 30, $120 until October 31, $130 until December 31, $140 until February 20.

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Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

JAN

6 mi

from the start

≈ 10 min transferOn the doorstep

What to expect

Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) is 15 miles north of downtown Jackson; rental car recommended for the 20-minute drive to start. Stay downtown near the Jackson State University Veterans Memorial Stadium start/finish, with multiple hotels within walking distance offering race packages.

Frequently Asked

7 questions

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