Page 18 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2021

COAST NOTE
New Records Set in Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon
story by Jae Schifano photos courtesy of Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, a Coastal Running Fest, was founded in 2015 to showcase the local culture.
The Marathon presents runners with
a beautiful beachside run from Pass Christian to Biloxi. Since its institution, runners have come from all over to experience this Coast favorite, but many wondered if this year would be di erent.
Due to COVID-19, there was no guarantee that the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon was going to happen. However, it was able to take place in December and the turnout was amazing. The marathon had 606 nishers and the half marathon had 1118 nishers.
“Due to the pandemic, many events have been cancelled and it was obvious as we saw every course record fall.
Runners were itching to compete as
we welcomed people from across the country and around the globe who chose to join us,” said Mike Wattigny, Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon marketing and communications director.
The marathon started on Highway 90 and Henderson Point in Pass Christian and it was 26.2 miles.
This year’s winner was Jonathan Mott of Lakeland, Florida who set a new course record of 2:18:03. The women’s race was won by Ann Centner of Tallahassee, Florida who also set a new course record of 2:43:36 in her rst time running a marathon.
The half marathon started at Jones Park in Gulfport. Course records were broken on this 13.1-mile race as well. Cameron Bensley of Powder Springs,
Georgia won the race with a time of 1:14:10, beating the prior course record. The women’s race saw the record destroyed with the entire women’s podium beating the prior course record of 1:25:24. The race was won by Makena Morley of Bozeman, Montana.
The success of this year’s marathon was a great way to close out the year.
18 | January 2021
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