For the 38th year, the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce will present the 300 Oaks Road Race.
“We love doing this event,” said Beth Stevens, executive director of the chamber. “It is one of the chamber’s oldest events — it’s our signature event. It’s been around before any other races were around. We love 300 Oaks, and a lot of people do.”
The event, also one of the longest-running road races in the state, will be held next Saturday. It includes 10K and 5K runs, a 5K walk and a 1-mile color fun run down Grand Boulevard.
The 38th annual 300 Oaks Road Race will feature a 1-mile Color Me Greenwood fun run. Last year’s fun run participants threw colored powder in the air before the race.
“We do have a lot of people from out of town come and sign up on the day of the event,” said Stevens. “It’s a great way to get in a little exercise in the morning, and there’s a race for everybody. If you don’t run, there’s a walk.”
The race features a fast and flat course, which is surrounded by the scenic oak trees in Greenwood.
“We get a lot of families who participate and companies that sponsor teams,” said Stevens. “It’s a great, fun morning just getting out to walk or run together.”
The teams of runners and walkers are a fun feature of the race. Five or more race participants can form a team for the 10K run, the 5K run or the 5K walk.
“We get anywhere from 15 to 20 teams,” said Stevens. “We encourage our local businesses to form a team, which can include employees and their spouses or children.”
Some of the teams signed up this year include John-Richard, Staplcotn, Westminster Presbyterian, Sta-Home Greenwood and Viking Range.
Immediately following the 10K and 5K runs and the 5K walk, the Color Me Greenwood fun run on Grand Boulevard will be held. The race is open to all ages but is particularly popular with children.
The 1-mile race will kick off with an explosion of color as participants will have individual packets of color powder to toss in the air.
“People love it,” said Stevens. “Kids love it, and they really get into it. It’s a lot of fun.”
Color stations will be set up at each intersection down Grand Boulevard, where color powder will also rain down on the participants.
Fun run participants will each receive a white T-shirt, which should be covered in different colors by the end of the race.
The color powder is safe, although bringing some type of eye protection is suggested but not required.
The 300 Oaks Road Race will be capped with a party and awards ceremony on Front Street near the Yazoo River. The post-race event will feature live entertainment by country duo Jason & Mary Mac, food and cold beverages.
“The post-race party will include grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and we always a good time,” said Stevens.
The medals will be given to the overall male and female winners of the 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk and fun run.
First-, second- and third-place awards will also be given to winners in five-year age increments of each race. The largest teams and the fastest teams in each race category and the masters and grand-masters winners will also receive awards.
Online registration will close at midnight on Thursday, and team registration will not be available on the day of the race.
A pre-race party and packet pickup will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Hampton Inn.
Race day registrations for individuals will be accepted until 7:45 a.m.
Packet pickup and registration will at the corner of Grand Boulevard and West President Avenue.
Maps of the race routes are available at www.300oaks.com.
For more information, call the chamber at 453-4152.
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
{{tncms-inline content="<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SCHEDULE OF EVENTS</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;<strong>Thursday</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Midnight:</strong> Online registration will close; team registration ends</p> <p><strong>Friday</strong></p> <p><strong>4-7 p.m.:</strong> Packet pickup, pre-race party at the&nbsp;Hampton Inn, 1815 U.S. 82 W.</p> <p><strong>Saturday</strong></p> <p><strong>Until 7:45 a.m.:</strong> Race day registration, packet pickup on the corner of Grand Boulevard and West President Avenue</p> <p><strong>8 a.m.:</strong> 10K run starts</p> <p><strong>8:05 a.m.:</strong> 5K run starts</p> <p><strong>8:15 a.m.:</strong> 5K walk starts</p> <p><strong>9:30 a.m.:</strong> 1-mile fun run starts</p> <p>&bull; All races will begin on East President Avenue except for the fun run, which will start on the Keesler Bridge.</p> <p>&bull; Post-race party on Front Street follows the event. For more information or to register, visit www.300oaks.com.</p>" id="8d5ef7b0-7d3a-4092-b38f-b7690c327ae7" style-type="fact" title="If You Go" type="relcontent"}}
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday
Midnight: Online registration will close; team registration ends
Friday
4-7 p.m.: Packet pickup, pre-race party at the Hampton Inn, 1815 U.S. 82 W.
Saturday
Until 7:45 a.m.: Race day registration, packet pickup on the corner of Grand Boulevard and West President Avenue
8 a.m.: 10K run starts
8:05 a.m.: 5K run starts
8:15 a.m.: 5K walk starts
9:30 a.m.: 1-mile fun run starts
• All races will begin on East President Avenue except for the fun run, which will start on the Keesler Bridge.
• Post-race party on Front Street follows the event. For more information or to register, visit www.300oaks.com.
