For the seventh consecutive year, MGM Resorts International’s Beau Rivage Resort & Casino invites Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon participants and running enthusiasts to stay, play and recover at the property after crossing the finish line. As the official host hotel and resort casino of the 2022 running festival, Dec. 10-11, Beau Rivage offers luxurious accommodations, and a variety of runner-friendly offerings and specials for participants.
“Since the first race in 2016, Beau Rivage has enjoyed welcoming runners and families from all over the world to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon,” said MGM Southeast President & COO Brandon Dardeau. “Marathon weekend is a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of our coastal communities and our Southern hospitality. It provides such a positive impact on our region, as well as on the participants, whether it’s their first visit or returning for another trip down the course.”
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon draws more than 9,000 runners, volunteers and spectators to Coastal Mississippi each year, with last year’s crowd representing 47 states and six countries. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon features four distance races, including a marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), 5K (3.1 miles) and kids marathon (1 mile).
Live entertainment takes the stage at Beau Rivage Theatre nightly during marathon weekend, starting with Josh Turner’s King Sized Manger tour on Friday, Dec. 9, and The Nutcracker on Saturday and Sunday Dec. 10 & 11. In EIGHT75, local favorite Triggerproof performs from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. both Friday and Saturday.
For those looking for a pre- or post-race recharge, The Spa at Beau Rivage offers a custom massage as well as a special Marathon Athlete’s Massage to rejuvenate the body, lengthen muscles and relax the mind. Race participants showing their bib receive an insulated water bottle with any spa service, while supplies last. To book spa reservations, call 228.386.7472 or visit www.beaurivage.com.
Beau Rivage’s award-winning restaurants offer runner-friendly dining options throughout the race weekend. Authentic Italian cuisine is featured at Stalla with freshly made Pasta Ravioli, Homemade Lasagna Bolognese, delicious Chicken Parmigiana, Shrimp Manicotti and other favorites. At Jia, marathon participants can enjoy a sushi bar and a noodle bar that focuses on handmade vegetable, meat and seafood dishes with Vietnamese flavors and textures including the Coast’s best pho and Bún Bò Huế. The Atrium Café offers a variety of salads, sandwiches and Southern favorites 24/7, served in a coastal garden atmosphere under Beau Rivage’s soaring glass ceiling.
The Roasted Bean opens at 6 a.m. on race days, and will offer the Gulf Coast Marathon Power Pack, with fresh cut fruit, banana nut bread, Yoplait mixed berry yogurt and Powerarde.
At The Buffet, enjoy the weekend brunch, featuring made-to-order pasta and omelets from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. or indulge in the Biloxi Seafood Festival Gumbo Grand Champion and The Sun Herald’s People’s Choice Award-winning Beau Rivage Gumbo as well as other hot, cold and made-to-order dinner selections from 4 – 9 p.m.
After the race, celebrate with a pizza, whole or by the slice, or a made-to-order sandwich at Snacks, or catch up on all the day’s football action in BetMGM Book Bar & Grill. Relax in Mississippi’s top sports entertainment venue while enjoying more than 40 regional craft beers and signature drink options along with wings, nachos and sandwiches, or unwind at Black Clover Lounge and Topgolf Swing Suite with signature cocktails, flatbreads, wings and sliders while playing simulated games in the bays or watching the action on the gridiron.
The first in the series of races begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, with the Margaritaville 5K, a race that starts in Ocean Springs and crosses the Biloxi Bay Bridge and ending at Margaritaville Resort in Biloxi. Following the 5K, kids have their chance to toe the line in the Chevron Kids Marathon, a one-mile race starting and finishing at Margaritaville. The running festival culminates on Sunday, Dec. 11, with a USATF Boston Qualifier beachfront marathon that begins in historic Pass Christian and winds along Highway 90 Beach Blvd. to Biloxi, in a true celebration of running and Coastal Mississippi culture. Runners in both the marathon and half marathon, which starts at Gulfport’s Jones Park, will experience unobstructed beach views, quaint coastal towns and some of the region’s most beautiful homes before crossing the line at MGM Park’s Finish Festival, featuring music and local cuisine.
