Mississippi Blues Marathon Announced for January 5, 2008

JACKSON, Miss. (Top40 Charts/ Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi) - The inaugural Mississippi Blues Marathon will be run in Jackson, Mississippi, on Saturday, January 5, 2008. Event organizersanticipate at least 1,000 runners from around the country coming to the area to participate in the race, which will also feature a half- marathon race. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi is the title sponsor for the event.

"The Mississippi Blues Marathon is a perfect combination of the Blues heritage of Mississippi, and our commitment to a healthier Mississippi," said John Sewell, Director of Corporate Communications for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. "We're excited about the positive impact of this race. It will highlight our rich music history as well as the importance of a lifestyle based on proper diet and exercise, and it will showcase Mississippi to runners from around the country."

The marathon will start and finish in the historic Fondren district of Jackson, and encompass the downtown area, Flowood, and parts of north Jackson. Efforts are underway to have the course certified as a qualifying course for the Boston Marathon.

"We are hoping to attract some of the top marathoners in the country to this race," Sewell said. "The course is challenging, and will require the best efforts of both seasoned and first-time marathoners."

In addition to the marathon and half-marathon races on January 5, a children's marathon is also planned. Children around the state will be invited to run a total of 25 miles in the weeks leading up to the race, and will then have an opportunity to complete their "marathon" with a 1.2 mile run on January 5. All finishers in the children's marathon will receive a finisher's medal.

To support its focus on the blues, event organizers will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Mississippi Blues Commission, which exists to "promote authentic Mississippi Blues music and Blues culture for purposes of economic development."
Additional details regarding the Mississippi Blues Marathon will be available soon at https://www.msbluesmarathon.com.