Midsouth Championship Marathon and Half

• Date: October 31, 2009
• Address: Wynne High School, P.O. Box 408, Wynne, Arkansas Get directions
• Country: United States
• Race type: Run (Marathon)
• Distances: Run (26.20 miles)
• Organization: Cross County Chamber of Commerce
• Website: http://www.midsouthmarathon.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=site.display&page_id=1654
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Description: Start and finish are located at Wynne High School stadium, with plenty of parking.
  
  Laid out along the scenic highway at the base of Crowley's Ridge overlooking expanses of Delta farmland.
  
  The course is a mix of flat and rolling terrain. The elevation at the start/finish line is 270 feet above sea level. The lowest point is 230 feet. The highest is point is 350 feet. The rest of the course is very light rolling terrain.
  
  The first mile is flat. The largest hill of the race starts at mile 1, climbs for 1/2 a mile and ends at mile 2. You won't feel it leaving, but you will on your way back. From mile 2 to mile 5, the course is flat. At mile 5, you will turn north on Hwy 163 (Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway). If you are doing the half, you will travel about a mile and a half on this road and then turn around and head back. The rest of you will remain on this road and turn around at mile 13. This section on Hwy 163 is a beautiful 2-lane road. Crowleys Ridge lies just west of the road and Mississippi River Delta lies to the east. This section rolls the entire way. The grade is gentle, but there are tons of 1/4 and 1/2 mile rises and falls with elevation changes of 20 to 45 ft. They don't make you huff and puff, but the course is not pancake flat. I love this course. It's interesting to run because its always changing and there are enough twists and turns that you can't see for miles and miles up the road. Look up and you're likely to see migrating geese and ducks.To each side of you, are old barns and farmhouses. The first hill will make you huff and puff on the return, but its only painful because of where it is in the course (mile 24).
  The route will be extremely well-marked and loaded with volunteers. Food, drink, medical care, safety crew volunteers, and entertainment will be available at frequent stations along the way.
  Aid stations greet you every 1 mile. Each is staffed with water, gatorade, chips, fruit, snacks, petro jelly, and a port-o-potty. We do not stock any OTC medications or pain relievers. Bringyour own! many of the aid stations are decorated and themed. we have a contest and trophies are awarded to the best aid stations. the runners fill out the ballots at the high school after finishing.
  
• Members who are scheduled to race: