About 3,500 runners are expected to take part in the Gulf Coast Marathon Sunday morning, and police will have a number of roadways or traffic lanes closed as the 26.2-mile race makes its way on U.S. 90 from Henderson Point in Pass Christian to Biloxi’s MGM Park.
The run, which takes place in the southernmost lanes of U.S. 90, will begin at 7 a.m. at Henderson Point and head eastward to Biloxi, and a half-marathon also begins at 7, at Jones Park in Gulfport, and makes its way to Biloxi.
On Saturday, a day before the marathon, Point Cadet Plaza will host a daylong event, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring a 5K and kids marathon, and food and racer villages.
The first runners on Sunday are expected to arrive at DeBuys Road at 7:20 a.m. enroute to MGM Park. When the run is near MGM Park, the I-110 ramp and Caillavet Street between U.S. 90 and Howard Avenue will be closed. Motorists should use I-110 exits at Bayview Avenue or Division Street.
The preparation work on U.S. 90 actually begins hours before the marathon. Around 3:30 on Sunday morning, crews will leave MGM Park to place cones from the beginning of the run, Henderson Point, through Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, and all the way to MGM Park in Biloxi.
The U.S. 90 race route will take a slight detour at I-110, with runners racing up the ramp over the Biloxi Beach and then back down to U.S. 90 on the northside of the highway before continuing to MGM Park.
Police will be posted at intersections along the route to ensure that runners have right of way.
“We ask that citizens not participating in the marathon use caution when traveling in the area or to take another route,” said Biloxi Police Maj. Chris De Back. “Plan for extra time to reach their destinations to ensure the safety of everyone.”
Learn more about the marathon
See the race maps
Santa parades through Woolmarket Saturday
Christmas celebrations continue in Biloxi this weekend with the annual Woolmarket Christmas Parade beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The parade, now in its third year, will include dozens of walking units, floats, golf carts, utility vehicles, Corvettes and a Biloxi fire truck.Â
“Every year this parade has grown,” said Ward 7 Councilmember Nathan Barrett, one of the parade organizers. “It’s awesome. It brings the entire community together, not just those in Woolmarket but throughout the city.”
The parade will line up on Shortcut Road behind the Chevron, travel to Lorraine Road, turn right on John Lee Road at Taranto’s, and end at the Woolmarket Elementary School on John Lee Road.
Once at the school, paradegoers will decorate the Christmas tree in the gymnasium, where hot chocolate and cookies will be served while Santa Claus visits with the children.
Also, this weekend, Biloxi Excel by 5 will host its annual Come Learn with Santa event at the Lopez School in St. John Avenue. The affair begins at 10 a.m. and is open to those age five and younger, and their parents. Activities will include pictures with Santa (so parents have the cell phone on hand), holiday crafts, Christmas songs, and snacks with Santa. Ward 5 Councilmember Paul Tisdale will read a Christmas tale to the youngsters.
More Santa appearances: The International Christmas Festival will also take place on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Beauvoir Road, and Beauvoir itself, the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library, will host Brunch with Santa from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
See the Christmas in Woolmarket route
See the Biloxi Community Calendar
News & notes: City Desk, City Council, B-Alert
City Desk: Caroline Barry of The Blake at Biloxi, the new upscale senior living center now under construction on Popp’s Ferry Road, is the guest on this week’s City Desk podcast. To listen to the program, recorded Thursday morning at Biloxi City Hall, click here.
City Council: The next scheduled meeting of the Biloxi City Council is set for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at Biloxi City Hall. To see the agenda, click here. To see a video archive of council meetings posted on the City of Biloxi’s YouTube channel, click here.
B-Alert: Stay in the know about road closures, road re-openings, and other traffic advisories by signing up for B-Alert. It’s a real-time, on-the-go messaging system that brings advisories directly to your cell phone. Just text BILOXI to 888777.
