HATTIESBURG, Miss. (July 13, 2026) — The 15th anniversary of the Hattiesburg Half Marathon, 10K and 5K will take place Saturday, April 10, 2027, marking a milestone year for one of the South’s premier running events. Online registration opens Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Managed by Visit Hattiesburg in partnership with Hattiesburg Clinic, the City of Hattiesburg and Kinda Gritty, the race has grown into a signature event that showcases the city’s landmarks, attractions and neighborhoods while promoting health, community pride and an active lifestyle. The many sponsors that generously support the race help make its continued growth and impact possible.
Demand for the Hattiesburg Half Marathon continues to grow as more runners discover the race weekend and Hattiesburg’s distinctive visitor experience. The 2026 event sold out nearly two weeks before race day, reaching a record capacity of 1,750 participants from 32 states and raising thousands of dollars for local nonprofit organizations. In response to continued demand, organizers will expand race capacity in 2027, with participation expected to exceed 2,000 runners.
“The Hattiesburg Half Marathon has become much more than a race. It is a landmark tourism event that showcases our community at its very best,” said Marlo Dorsey, CEO of Visit Hattiesburg. “With the enhancements made to the 2026 race, we strengthened an already exceptional event and created an experience that runners are eager to recommend to others. As the race continues to earn a reputation for excellence, we expect to welcome participants from even farther away, generating meaningful economic impact while introducing new visitors to everything Hattiesburg has to offer.”
The 2027 course will once again showcase many of the city’s most recognizable destinations, winding through downtown Hattiesburg, the historic Avenues, around the Hattiesburg Zoo and across The University of Southern Mississippi before finishing along the Longleaf Trace. Final course details will be announced later this year.
Race weekend will begin Friday afternoon with the annual Expo in downtown Hattiesburg, where participants can pick up race packets, visit sponsor and health and wellness booths, and learn more about the local charities benefiting from the event. Following Saturday morning’s race, runners will gather at Finish Fest, featuring festive décor, live music and signature food and beverage offerings from downtown eateries.
Local nonprofits will continue to play a central role in the event. Each charity will “own” a portion of the course by decorating its designated area, staffing water stations, assisting with traffic control and runner safety, and recruiting participants to raise funds for their organizations.
Since its inception, the Hattiesburg Half Marathon has welcomed more than 11,000 participants from over 30 states and multiple countries while raising more than $400,000 for Pine Belt nonprofits.
In this anniversary year, another record-setting event is expected, and runners are encouraged to register early.
More information about the Hattiesburg Half Marathon, including registration and nonprofit participation opportunities, is available at www.hburghalfmarathon.com. Additional details will be shared about race weekend once registration opens.
