Photograph by Frank Ezelle, www.frankezelle.com

The third annual Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half Marathon, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Mississippi, will be held this Saturday, January 9. The race has, in its short existence, become recognized as not only a major running event but a major economic boon for the Metro area, as well.

Several weeks ago, Greater Jackson Business magazine conducted an interview with Kelly Shannon Bilbo, Manager, Communications and Public Relations, for the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, about the impact of the Mississippi Blues Marathon on Jackson and surrounding areas. As for this writing, more than 2,000 runners from 46 states are expected to participate in the race. Please go to www.msbluesmarathon.com for more information.

INTERVIEW WITH KELLY SHANNON BILBO, JACKSON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

GJB: What kind of economic impact is the City of Jackson expecting from the MS Blues Marathon in January, 2010? How will it compare to the numbers that came in ’09?

Bilbo: The 2009 estimated economic tourism impact of the Mississippi Blues Marathon was $389,648. The 2009 estimated attendance was 3,976 individuals. In 2008, the first year of the race, the estimated tourism impact was $196,000, so we know that the Mississippi Blues Marathon has a positive impact on the City with Soul.

GJB: Specifically, what industries have benefited the most from the Marathon? Restaurants and hotels, one would assume?

Bilbo: Well, most definitely our hotels and restaurants do benefit tremendously when an event of this caliber brings visitors into Jackson. Local retail establishments benefit because when people come into town for the Mississippi Blues Marathon they like to shop. Also, our existing attractions experience larger crowds because people who visit can benefit from many of our affordable or free attractions such as the Old Capitol Museum or Mississippi Museum of Art. The attractions or locations that have a tie to our blues heritage are appealing as well.

Photograph by Frank Ezelle, www.frankezelle.com

GJB: What is the estimate of the number of people (runners and their families) who will be in Jackson the weekend of the race?

Bilbo: Based on last year’s report, the 2009 event, runners hailed from 41 states and 9 foreign countries. We had a total of 29 Elite or invited runners, 19 of which were male and 10 were female. 80.9 percent of the half-marathon registrants were from Mississippi; and 71.8 percent of the marathon registrants were from outside Mississippi. For runners who travel to marathons, the average number of people who travel with them is 2.4, per Runner’s World Magazine. The event alone had over 650 volunteers, which speaks volumes about our community. They definitely get involved in this race when it comes to supporting an event of this stature.

GJB: What role does the Jackson Convention and Visitor’s Bureau play with BlueCross BlueShield of Mississippi in promoting the Blues Marathon?

Bilbo: The Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau supports this event through marketing and public relations endeavors. The event brings national and international guests as far away as Kenya into our city, and we want them to experience the best that Jackson has to offer while they are here. The race is named after an element of our heritage – the blues. So when visitors for this race come into town, we want them to experience firsthand why our cultural heritage is such an important part of what we are.

Photograph by Frank Ezelle, www.frankezelle.com

GJB: Do you expect this year’s race to be bigger and better economically? If so, why?

Bilbo: The Mississippi Blues Marathon has continued to grow bigger each year, proving that it is a very successful event for Jackson and the state of Mississippi. In fact, the Mississippi Blues Marathon was named the Mississippi Tourism Association 2009 “Small Festival/Event of the Year.” Any event of this size that continues to grow will always benefit Jackson economically.It’s a very attractive venue for race participants. Traveling to Jackson to do a race is affordable for out-of-towners and also for those who live here in the city compared to, say, going to New York or Chicago. We hope that Jackson’s many attractions, affordability and convenience of traveling will encourage more people to participate.

Crowd turnout and community support are very impressive during this event, which shows those visiting here why Jackson is the City with Soul. In Jackson, hospitality isn’t an industry; it’s a way of life. Those who visit our city for this great event always feel welcome so, hopefully, they will continue to come back each year and participate.

(For more information on the Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half-Marathon to be held this Saturday, January 9, please go to www.msbluesmarathon.com or call 601-664-5726.)