The 2011 race will take place on January 8th, Elvis Presley's 76th birthday, and thanks to this agreement, the event is sure to be a hunk, a hunk of Elvis fun!

"The Mississippi Blues Marathon has grown into an elite running event with a global audience, and we are proud to partner with Elvis Presley Enterprises to incorporate the legacy of one of Mississippi's best-known natives," said John Sewell, Director of Corporate Communications for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. "In addition to providing a challenging race course for runners from around the world, the Blues Marathon is also a forum to showcase Mississippi's contributions to music and pop culture history."

The 4th Annual Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half-Marathon is open to runners of all skill levels and will again feature live musicians along the race route, exceptional "swag" for participants, and that familiar block party vibe at the finish line. Runners will also want to check out the Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half-Marathon Expo at the Jackson Convention Center on January 6-7. The race course will be slightly revised for 2011, but the start/finish area will remain in the heart of downtown Jackson directly in front of the Old Capitol Building.

"The raw, heartfelt emotion and personal expression emanating from Delta blues music deeply influenced Elvis, both personally and musically," said Sewell. "Having the Blues Marathon on his birthday is a great way to pay tribute to Elvis and his influence on American music."