MidSouth Championship Marathon

Race History

The MidSouth Marathon in Wynne, AR, was first run in 1999. Randy Starr ran 2:29:54 that day in what is still the course record. The current women's course record is 2:55:07, set by Leah Thorvilson in 2009. The MidSouth became the Arkansas Grand Prix State Championship Race for the marathon distance in 2003. The half marathon (non-GP) was added in 2000.

Course Description

The MidSouth Marathon is an out and back course nestled between Crowley's Ridge and the Mississippi River Delta. The course high point is 350 feet above sea level with a low point of 230 feet.

The race starts on Lemmons Street, adjacent to the Wynne High School. The first mile moves the runners through Wynne and is flat. The second mile starts with an uphill and ends with a downhill. This is the hilliest section of the race course. Runners will next encounter a flat stretch until the turn onto Hwy 163 near the five mile mark. The runners navigate a series of gradual, rolling hills as they continue to the turn around point at mile 13. The course then turns around and covers the same route on the way back. The downhill previously encountered at mile 2 feels a little more challenging as an uphill at mile 24. The route then returns to its genesis where it finishes on the Wynne High School track.

The course is well supported with themed aid stations approximately every mile.