More volunteers are needed for the Mississippi Blues Marathon.
The annual race is days away, and race officials still need volunteers to guide runners and provide support.
“We still need course marshals. If you live near the course, you can volunteer in your neighborhood and not have to go too far on Saturday,” said race organizer John Noblin.
The Blues Marathon is Saturday, January 27. The race kicks off at 7 a.m.
About 800 volunteers are needed for the event, which gives racers a running/walking tour of Jackson’s high points.
Of those volunteers, about 250 are course marshals, who help guide runners and direct traffic along the raceway, Noblin said.
“The way I have it drawn up, the runners are never out of sight of volunteers, which is good for people who aren’t from here,” Noblin explained. “It’s always nice to be in the sight of someone working.”
The race begins in front of the Mississippi Arts Center and Russell C. Davis Planetarium on Pascagoula Street and ends in virtually the same spot on Lamar Street.
The course carries runners past several major city landmarks, including the Old Capitol Museum, the (current) State Capitol building, Jackson State University, Belhaven University, Millsaps College, the Eudora Welty House and the LeFleur Museum District.
Runners also are slated to cut through Fondren, Belhaven and Eastover neighborhoods.
While more volunteers are needed, slots for runners and walkers are beginning to fill up. At press time, about 2,500 people have signed up for the event.
“It’s down a little from last year, but with our late start, I’m encouraged,” Noblin said.
Registration for the race opened later this year, after organizers struggled to find a sponsor. Last year, the longtime sponsor pulled out after 10 years of support.
In September, marathon officials announced that Continental Tire, an international firm building a tire plant in Hinds County, agreed to sponsor the event for at least a year.
“There are some things that are definitely (like) starting over. Putting it from a purely practical standpoint (that includes) having to get rid of everything from the last 10 years with the (title) sponsor’s name on it,” Noblin said. “From the logistical sense, we have the same committee in place. Everybody knows what they’re doing and do a great job.”
Committee members do everything from help publicize the event to organize food and entertainment for after the race.
For more information on volunteering, log onto msbluesmarathon.events, and click on the volunteer tab.
