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Mississippi River Marathon

Race Details:

What This Race Counts Toward:

Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes

Mississippi River Marathon Description

The Mississippi River Marathon is a mostly flat, Boston qualifying race through Greenville, Mississippi along the banks of the Mississippi River. The point-to-point, USATF-certified course offers minimal elevation change and a small-town, community feel, making it a genuine hidden gem for runners chasing a Boston Qualifying time. A half marathon runs the same February weekend, and cool winter temperatures make for ideal marathon racing conditions. With a small, close-knit field and a fast, flat layout, this Delta race is a great option for goal-time chasers looking to avoid crowds.

Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.

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Mississippi River Marathon Additional Details:

Aid stations show up at nearly every mile marker here, more than 20 in all, so densely spaced along the flat Delta terrain that runners say you can practically see the next one from the last. GU gels appear at three specific stations for those who need an extra push, but it’s the post-race spread that stands out: hot pizza, hot tamales, Shipley’s donuts, and cold beer alongside the usual Gatorade. The course also crosses a suspension bridge over the Mississippi River, a scenic, quiet highlight in an otherwise rural landscape. It’s the kind of small-field race where the food at the finish gets talked about almost as much as the flat, fast course itself.

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 7 hours (full)

# of Finishers

Half Marathon: 200+

Marathon: 107

Elevation Details

Elevation Gain: 217 ft (66 m)
Elevation Loss: 207 ft (63 m)

Average Temperature

Train Smarter for Race Day

A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.

Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.

Your bridge into marathons, with a plan built for stepping up the distance.
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced plans to get you to the start line ready.
Structured plans for every experience level, first finish to chasing a new PR.

Things to Do in Greenville, MS, USA

Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.

Outdoors & Trails

Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center

Walk the trails at the Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center, open daily from dawn to dusk — an easy, flat option for tapering or recovering legs.

Museums & History

1927 Flood Museum

Learn how the region survived the catastrophic Mississippi Flood of 1927 at the 1927 Flood Museum, housed in downtown Greenville’s oldest structure — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop.

Arts & Culture

Highway 61 Blues Museum

Dive into the history and legacy of the blues at the Highway 61 Blues Museum in nearby Leland, birthplace of many blues legends — an easy, indoor stop after race day.

Landmark

Winterville Mounds

Explore Winterville Mounds, a National Historic Landmark with a dozen Native American ceremonial mounds including a 55-foot temple mound — an easy, low-impact stop after race weekend.

Hotels & Lodging Near the Mississippi River Marathon

Compare nearby hotels and book your Mississippi River Marathon race-weekend stay in seconds.

Sunrise Running Company may earn a commission if you book through the map below, at no extra cost to you.

Featured Race

A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes

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