FAQs
RACE DAY
WHERE SHOULD I PARK ON RACE DAY?
Parking for the Saturday Margaritaville 5K and Chevron Kids Marathon is available at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi (195 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39530).
Parking for the Sunday Half and Full Marathons is available in the Beau Rivage Parking Garage and on the surface streets around Keesler Federal Park (105 Caillavet St., Biloxi, MS 39530).
Parking is NOT available at the Full Marathon start line at Henderson Point. Runners are required to use the Shuttles to arrive at the Full Marathon start line.
Parking is available in the CTA parking garage (15th Street and 21st Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501) for the Half Marathon. No transportation is provided back to the start line after the race. Runners are able to use the Shuttles to the Half Marathon start line.
START & FINISH
The Marathon will start near Henderson Point in Pass Christian, MS, and the Half Marathon will start near Jones Park in Gulfport, MS. Detailed maps of both areas, as well as instructions for race morning, can be found HERE and in the Official Athlete Guide which will be posted online and emailed to all registered runners prior to the event weekend.
WILL THERE BE CORRALS?
We will assign runners to corrals based on their anticipated finish times. Assignments will be included in your race confirmation email that you will receive the week of the race. Corrals with pace signs will be marked in the start chute. Please report to your assigned corral area. The faster runners will be in the front, the slower runners will be in the back.
HOW DO I GET MY FINISHER ITEMS AFTER THE RACE?
For the Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Race, finisher medals will be given out shortly after official finishers cross the finish line.
WHERE CAN I MEET MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AFTER THE RACE?
The easiest way to find your family and friends after the race is to have a plan beforehand. Picking a location to meet your family and friends at Margaritaville Resort on Saturday, and Keesler Federal Park on Sunday is advised.
IS THERE A LIMIT OF RUNNERS IN EACH RACE?
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon events sell out capacities will be publicized, if set, in the Fall.
WILL THERE BE PACERS?
We plan to have pacers available for the Sunday races. Pace Groups will be as follows:
MARATHON - 3:00; 3:10; 3:20; 3:30; 3:40; 3:50; 4:00; 4:15; 4:30; 4:40; 5:00
HALF MARATHON - 1:40; 1:50; 2:00; 2:10; 2:20; 2:30
We will assign runners to corrals based on their anticipated finish times. Assignments will be included in your race confirmation email that you will receive the week of the race. Corrals will be marked in the start chute with feather flags and other signage. Please report to your assigned starting corral to help maintain a safer course and a better runner experience. The faster runners will be in the front, the slower runners will be in the back. All Corrals have the same race start time with no set time gaps or delays between the corrals. Please pay attention to race announcements, on-site signage and instructions.
ARE CELL PHONES, FRIENDS, STROLLERS, DOGS ALLOWED ON THE COURSE?
Only registered participants are allowed to run with you on the course. Per USA Track & Field rules, elements that could impede the safety of runners, such as bikes, strollers and pets on the course, are not allowed and therefore NO strollers, bikes, roller blades, dogs, etc. will be allowed in the Sunday Half and Full Marathons. The safety of our runners is our number one priority. By signing or clicking ’I Accept’ on any Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon registration race waiver, you are agreeing to abide by the Rules of Competition. Strollers will be allowed to start at the back of the runner field for the Saturday 5K and Kids Marathon.
ARE HEADPHONES ALLOWED?
Participants will be able to use listening devices during the running of the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K, but they do so at their own risk. Runner safety is, and will continue to be, the priority for all of our events. To ensure a safe and enjoyable race for everyone, we ask that you please be mindful of the other participants and race personnel.
You MUST be aware of your surroundings at all times, and this includes being able to hear any verbal warnings/instructions from police/course officials or the sound of any vehicles and other participants on the course. The abuse of portable headphone devices can result in disqualification. Abuse refers to being so distracted that you become a hazard to your fellow participants, spectators, course marshals, finish line officials, medical personnel, other race officials, police personnel or vehicle traffic.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. We must constantly consider the safety of all of our participants, volunteers and spectators and review this rule as well as others in order to ensure the continued safety of our participants.
WHAT IF I LOSE SOMETHING THE DAY OF THE RACE?
Lost & Found is located near Gear Check and/or the Results/Awards area. After the event, any items turned in will be kept at our office for two weeks. Clothing items left in the start areas and along the course are immediately donated to charity and not available at any time. You can contact us at info@msgulfcoastmarathon.com to inquire about items turned in.
REGISTRATION
CAN I DEFER MY ENTRY TO NEXT YEAR?
Yes, you may defer your entry to the next event year for a fee until 10 days prior to race weekend. After that date deferrals are not allowed. You will find the option to defer your race entry by going to your RunSignUp account: Profile -> My Registered Races -> Manage Registration -> Defer Registration.
CAN I SWITCH FROM THE MARATHON TO THE HALF MARATHON?
Yes, you may switch to any distance race from any distance race. Fees may apply depending on what race you are switching from and to. If you do not officially change your registered distance, you will receive the medal and event shirt for the race distance you are registered for with no exceptions. You will find the option to switch race distances by going to your RunSignUp account: Profile -> My Registered Races -> Manage Registration.
WHY HAVEN’T I RECEIVED AN EMAIL CONFIRMATION?
Note: If you did not receive your confirmation make sure to check the spam folder in your email box. You will always be able to resend the registration confirmation for any registrations associated with your Profile (including any sub-accounts of yours) by following these steps:
1. Sign in to RunSignUp
2. Go to your Profile
3. See your events under Upcoming Events
4. Click Resend Confirmation next to the registration that you would like to resend the confirmation email
5. Check the email listed in your Profile for your registration confirmation
CAN I GIVE/SELL MY NUMBER TO ANOTHER RUNNER?
Entries are transferable, but must be done through our registration site, RunSignUp. Transfers are allowed until 10 days prior to the event and do not incur any fees from us. Completing the transfer through our system is MANDATORY. This is for the safety of the runner as well as necessary to satisfy insurance requirements of the event. If a runner collapses or is otherwise injured during the race and is running as someone else, we would not have emergency contact information available for them. This could result in further injury. Instructions on how to transfer to another runner can be found HERE.
CAN I TRANSFER MY ENTRY TO ANOTHER FRESHJUNKIE RACING EVENT?
You can transfer your race entry to another race owned by FRESHJUNKIE Racing as long as registration for the desired race is open and you are more than 10 days out from the race you are currently registered for. A list of FRESHJUNKIE Racing events and calendar can be found here. Completing these transfers may incur costs depending on what event(s) you are transferring to and from. You can find instructions on how to complete a transfer to another FRESHJUNKIE Racing owned event by clicking HERE.
HOW CAN I SEE IF I’M REGISTERED?
Registration confirmation is available online for the Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, and Kids Mile. You may confirm a registration by using the Find A Participant menu option on this page.
WHERE DOES MY REGISTRATION FEE GO?
Your registration fee helps to pay for the necessary permits, infrastructure, shuttles, staffing, insurance, police, awards, SWAG, supplies, bibs, medals, shirts, and chip timing to produce all event-related activities. Portions of every registration fee are directed to select charity partners throughout the year.
RESULTS & AWARDS
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR AWARDS PAGE
PACKET PICKUP
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR PACKET PICKUP PAGE
MAIL MY BIB SWAG PICKUP
If you paid to have your bib mailed to you, you will NOT need to come to Packet Pickup before the race starts. We will have your shirt and any other SWAG items available for you to collect AFTER you finish the race. On race day, once you have finished, you can collect your SWAG items from the "Mail My Bib Swag Pickup" tent. You are welcome to attend a pre-race Packet Pickup as well, but it is not necessary. Bibs are mailed 2.5 weeks ahead of race day via USPS.
CHIP TIMING
DO I NEED TO PURCHASE A TIMING CHIP?
No, we will be using disposable chips that are part of your bib.
HOW DO I MAKE SURE I HAVE THE RIGHT CHIP?
Your chip number will coincide with your bib number and will be attached to your bib.
OFFICIAL TIME – GUN TIME OR CHIP TIME?
Per USA Track & Field rules, your official time is Chip Time. This is your time from when you cross the start timing mats until you cross the finish timing mats. Chip time, or net time, is provided as a service to you and is accepted by many races, including the Boston Marathon, as a qualifying time. Only the overall and master's categories of each race distance will be scored on Gun Time. Gun Time uses the actual start time of the race (when the gun goes off) and when the runner crosses the finish timing mat.
WHERE DO I SEND MY CHIP IF I STILL HAVE IT AFTER THE RACE?
This is a single-use chip and is good for this event only. The chip will NOT be collected in the finish area. You may keep the chip as a souvenir or deposit it in trash bins in the finish area.
GEAR CHECK
IS THERE A PLACE TO DROP BAGS AT THE START LINE?
We will have a “morning clothes” drop point at both start lines on Sunday. We will transfer your gear back to Keesler Federal Park for you. Please make sure your gear is secured in a bag and marked CLEARLY with your bib number.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BAG IF I FORGET TO CLAIM IT AFTER THE RACE?
Gear Check closes at 2:30pm on race day and all bags must be picked up before that time. Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon is not responsible for gear bags not picked up by 2:30pm, however, remaining bags will be brought to the marathon office. Please contact us at info@msgulfcoastmarathon.com to claim your bag. After one week, anything remaining is discarded or donated to charity.
BQ // BOSTON QUALIFIER
IS THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST MARATHON A BOSTON QUALIFIER?
Yes, we are an official Boston Qualifier. Qualifying times for the Boston Marathon vary by age group and a complete breakdown of qualifying times can be found on their website. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon will send a complete list of finishers to the BAA once results become official.
WILL THE BOSTON MARATHON CHECK TO CONFIRM MY TIME?
Yes. The Boston Marathon automatically receives a list of all official finishers of The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon and their chip and gun times. The time that you put on your Boston Marathon registration will be checked against the official time that they have on file. For any other questions concerning qualification for the Boston Marathon, please contact the Boston Athletic Association.
COURSE & RULES OF THE ROAD
WHAT IS THE TIME LIMIT FOR THE MARATHON?
City permits limit the race time to a 6-hour time limit. The course will be closed at a 13:45 minute per mile pace. No race services including medical, aid stations or traffic control are available beyond this pace.
The finish line remains open until 1:00pm (assuming a 7:00am start). Participants must cross the finish line by 1:00pm in order to be considered “official finishers.” After 1:15pm, the finish line is taken down. Medals will not be awarded after 1:15pm, NO EXCEPTIONS.
The racecourse is opened to traffic on a rolling schedule as participants make their way to the finish. In order to ensure safety, a Sweep Vehicle and Bus follows the race route to pick-up participants who are unable to maintain this pace on a consistent basis. Participants are required to board the Sweep Bus when so instructed by Race Officials. Course Marshals are instructed to record bib numbers of all participants who refuse to board the bus when instructed to do so.
WHY IS THERE A TIME LIMIT?
In order to comply with city permits, streets crossing the route must be reopened to vehicular traffic on a set schedule.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY PACE IS SLOWER THAN THE ALLOTTED TIME?
If you are caught by the Sweep Vehicle, you MUST board this vehicle for transport to the finish area. For your safety, the Police Department does not allow runners to continue once the course has been re-opened to traffic. Keep in mind that race services, including water stations and medical aid, will be discontinued once the Sweep Vehicle comes through. The finish line closes at 1:15pm. Finisher medals will be awarded only to those finishing within the allotted time limit.
WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE COURSE?
For the safety of our runners the following are not allowed: going backward, runners not wearing a race number, animals, bicycles, baby joggers, strollers, roller skates, roller blades, hand-crank chairs, wheeled vehicles and push-rim wheelchairs.
Receiving outside assistance of any kind is not allowed. Outside assistance consists of, but is not limited to receiving fluids, gels, food or any personal items from someone not serving in an official race capacity; receiving pacing assistance from any person that is not a registered participant of the race.
Abusive behavior or language directed toward any other participant, volunteer, police officer, or staff member is also not allowed.
Any of these rules infractions can result in a time penalty or race disqualification. The discretion and final ruling reside with the Race Director.
IS THERE ENERGY GEL AVAILABLE ON THE COURSE?
Gel and nutrition products are available at select aid stations along the course.
WHAT SPORTS BEVERAGE WILL BE ON THE COURSE?
Powerade is our fluid partner for the race and will be offered as well as water at aid stations.
SPECTATORS
HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF A RUNNER HAS FINISHED?
Friends and family can track your progress in the Marathon and Half Marathon throughout the course through our timing company and mobile app. Links will be available on the website. Results for all events will be published on our website and social media during and immediately following the race. Find a Participant
HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF SOMEONE HAS DROPPED OUT OF THE RACE OR IS IN THE MEDICAL AREA?
Check at the Family Medical Information Tent which will be located near the Finish Line.
WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES TO WATCH THE RACE?
Keesler Federal Park finish line is in right field and the seats along the first baseline will be ideal. Anywhere along Beach Blvd. is a perfect location to watch the runners along with the beautiful views.
