Biloxi, MS | Baton Rouge, LA – The running community has spoken, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon and the Louisiana Marathon have emerged as the top marathons in their respective states.

RaceRaves, the leading online race finder and reviews community for runners and endurance athletes, has unveiled the winners of its highly anticipated 2023 “Runners Choice: Best Marathons in the U.S.” poll. These accolades were bestowed upon the marathons based on votes from runners nationwide and ratings and reviews on RaceRaves.com.

The announcement of these esteemed titles provides an invaluable resource for both novice and seasoned runners, aiding them in curating their ultimate marathon wish lists. The winning events share common attributes such as exceptional race organization, robust race-day support, active community involvement, and a marathon course that showcases the scenic beauty and distinct character of the local regions.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as the Best Marathons in both Mississippi and Louisiana. These events hold a special place on our calendar, featuring extensive planning and production efforts while making a substantial tourism impact. This acknowledgment is a testament to the year-round dedication and hard work that goes into creating exceptional experiences, and we are truly proud of this achievement,” stated Mike Wattigny, Marketing Director.

The Louisiana Marathon, established in 2012, was born with the dual mission of improving the health of Louisiana through an engaging event that encourages physical activity for individuals of all abilities and to create a world-class running experience that immerses participants in the vibrant culture of southern Louisiana. Recognizing the success of this endeavor, the Coastal Mississippi Tourism team approached FRESHJUNKIE Racing in 2016 to collaborate on a similar event that highlights the picturesque coastal communities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

“The ‘Best Marathons in the U.S.’ initiative exemplifies our passion for the sport and our commitment to helping runners discover the best races across the country,” said RaceRaves Co-founder Mike Sohaskey. “We’re thrilled at the enthusiastic response from runners nationwide and congratulate FRESHJUNKIE Racing on this well-deserved accolade.”

Registration is now open for the upcoming editions of both races, which will be held in Biloxi on December 9-10, 2023, and in Baton Rouge on January 13-14, 2024. These marathons attract participants of all skill levels from across the country, offering various distances ranging from the Kids Mile to the Full Marathon.

FRESHJUNKIE Racing was one of two event management companies to celebrate wins in two states (Brooksee in AZ & NV). For a comprehensive list of the winning marathons, categorized by state and month, along with detailed profiles of each event, please visit RaceRaves.com.

About FRESHJUNKIE Racing: 

FRESHJUNKIE Racing (FJR) is an endurance event production company specializing in road running races and triathlons.  Currently, FJR produces 19 events annually: 12 in Louisiana, 1 in Mississippi, 3 in Alabama, 2 in Missouri, and 1 in Florida.  While 13 of the 19 events are company owned events, FJR offers event services for organizations looking to outsource the production of their running race or triathlon.  FRESHJUNKIE Racing prides itself on attending to the small details.  Because they matter.  We are a production company made up of athletes that produce events for athletes. We know what it means to plan, train for, and participate in events and we know what the small details are.  From initial planning, permitting, and overall event operations to graphic design, marketing, and video production, we are a complete shop.  We are exhaustive in our preparation and comprehensive in our execution so that athletes can participate in experiential events they will remember for years to come.

For more information about the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, visit www.MSGulfCoastMarathon.com or for the Louisiana Marathon visit www.theLouisianaMarathon.com For a full event calendar visit: https://freshjunkieracing.com/

About RaceRaves

Founded in 2014, RaceRaves.com is the leading online race finder and reviews community for runners around the world to share their experiences and find their next challenge. The company’s robust race database, intuitive search tools, finisher reviews from all 50 states and 90+ countries, and compelling editorial content establish RaceRaves as a trusted resource for runners and endurance athletes. With its authentic voice and fast-growing audience, RaceRaves helps brands and events connect with runners of all abilities.