A course with flat terrain, lots of hospitality and a variety of race amenities all make up the recipe for a successful Viking Half Marathon & 5K.
Chinika Thrash waves as she crosses the Keesler Bridge during last year’s Viking Half Marathon & 5K.
“It’s one of those events runners love because we’re flat; a lot of people have gotten their best personal times at this event,” said Beth Stevens, executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce. “You’re getting a fantastic running environment; you’re getting a fantastic swag bag; you’re getting a fantastic post-event party with live entertainment and all kinds of good food. ... What we’re trying to do is really create a total race experience for people from top to bottom.”
The ninth annual Viking Half Marathon & 5K, one of the chamber’s signature events, will be held March 28.
“When there are so many runs out there now, we’re always looking for ways to be just a notch above everybody else,” said Stevens.
The race, title-sponsored by Viking Range, offers two competition options — a half marathon at 13.1 miles or a 5K at 3.1 miles. The half marathon starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K follows with a start time of 8:30 a.m. Both races start on Market Street in front of the Leflore County Courthouse and run east to Lamar Street.
This year, “the routes are still the same. We think it’s a great route,” said Stevens. “For the first three miles, the half marathon and the 5K are on the same route.”
Although the coronavirus scare has canceled some statewide events being held in enclosed indoor spaces, the chamber plans to continue with the race as scheduled.
“This is an open-air outdoor event, and we’re not in close proximity with each other,” said Stevens.
She said the chamber will continue to monitor the situation, but “our plan is to go ahead and go on.
“I think as much as possible we need to maintain normal, while still being smart, safe and healthy.”
Stevens said Start2Finish, the Memphis, Tennessee-based event management company that provides timing services and online registration management for the Viking Half Marathon & 5K, has not canceled any of its outdoor races.
An email sent to race participants Friday said, “We are being proactive in adding more hand wash stations, more sanitizer stations, sanitizer wipes and gloves available.”
The awards for the top three finishers, both male and female, in each age group will be wooden spoons engraved with the race logo.
The race will feature new awards.
“We pride ourselves on coming up with customized awards that are done by local artists,” said Stevens. “We’re kind of playing off of the culinary theme with Viking being our title sponsor.”
Michelle Stadelman of ArtPlace Mississippi is designing the awards for the top winners.
The awards will feature a fork and knife mounted on a piece of wood with the race logo.
The awards for the top three finishers, both male and female, in each age group will be wooden spoons engraved with the race logo.
“That’s something we try to do a little different every year,” said Stevens.
The race will include a water stop at each mile of the course. Local volunteers will man the water stops.
Residents who live along the race course are encouraged to get outside and cheer for the runners or make signs.
“We need spectators along the course route to cheer these runners on,” said Stevens. “That is such a huge, huge boost for runners.”
Stevens said area residents can also make signs of encouragement and come downtown near the finish line on Front Street.
“That’s a big deal for runners, those last few hundred yards, and they are trying to push to get to that finish line,” she said. “Having people there cheering you on is a big deal.”
She added that it’s also “a big part of the whole community building component that I think is important.”
“Especially runners coming from other communities, they see this and say, ‘Wow, this community really comes together and supports their event.”
After the race, a complimentary meal will be served to all participants. There will be a choice of pizza from Domino’s, wraps from By the Bridge Bistro, catfish from Larry’s Fish House and barbecue from Bo’s Bar-B-Q. Each runner must present his or her bib number in order to receive a complimentary meal.
The post-race party will also feature cold refreshments, live entertainment and an awards ceremony.
All half marathon participants will receive a tech shirt, and 5K runners will receive a cotton T-shirt. Swag bags will also include a safari water bottle that is being provided by the Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau, a gift from Viking and other items provided by event sponsors.
All Viking Half Marathon & 5K participants will receive a safari water bottle, provided by the Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau, in their swag bags.
All runners who complete the half marathon will receive finisher medals.
Stevens said the goal of the chamber is to make the Viking Half Marathon & 5K “such a great experience that people want to keep coming back to it.”
And, according to many race participants, it has succeeded.
“They give us great reviews,” she said. “They comment on the hospitality and the course — they love the course. They love the whole race experience when they come; so that’s something we’ve always worked for.”
Both races are running events. A participant may choose to walk. The course, however, will close at 11:15 a.m.
The half marathon registration fee is $60 until Tuesday and $70 from Wednesday until race day.
The 5K fee is $35 until Tuesday and $40 from Wednesday until race day.
Online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. March 27.
To register for the race or for more information, visit www.vikinghalfmarathon.com or call the chamber at 453-4152.
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7235 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
Thursday, March 26
11:59 p.m.: Online registration closes
Friday, March 27
1-6 p.m.: Early packet pickup and registration at The Alluvian; create your own snack mix, Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau hospitality table at The Alluvian
Saturday, March 28
6:30 a.m.: Packet pickup and registration opens
7:45 a.m.: Packet pickup and registration closes
7:50 a.m.: Runners make way to starting line
7:55 a.m. National Anthem; Half marathon pre-race announcements
8 a.m.: Half marathon race starts
8:30 a.m.: 5K race starts
8:50 a.m.: Post-race activities begin; post-race food available
9 a.m.: Live entertainment begins
9:45 a.m.: 5K awards ceremony
11 a.m.: Half marathon awards ceremony
11:15 a.m.: Half marathon course closes
