Get ready, Greenwood. Hundreds of runners will hit the pavement Saturday morning in the seventh annual Viking Half Marathon & 5K.
{{tncms-inline content="<p><strong>Thursday</strong><br /><em>11:59 p.m</em>. Online registration closes Friday <br /><em>1-6 p.m.</em> Early packet pick up and registration&nbsp;at The Alluvian; Create your own snack mix, Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau hospitality table at The Alluvian</p> <p><strong>Saturday</strong><br /><em>6:30 a.m.</em> Packet pick up and registration opens<br /><em>7:45 a.m.</em> Packet pick up and registration closes<br /><em>7:50 a.m.</em> Runners make way to starting line<br /><em>7:55 a.m.</em> National Anthem;&nbsp;Half marathon pre-race;&nbsp;announcements<br /><em>8 a.m.</em> Half marathon race starts (promptly)<br /><em>8:30 a.m.</em> 5K race starts (promptly)<br /><em>8:45 a.m.</em> Band begins to play<br /><em>8:50 a.m.</em> Post race activities begin<br /><em>8:50 a.m.</em> Post race food available<br /><em>9 a.m.</em> Live entertainment<br /><em>9:45 a.m.</em> 5K awards ceremony<br /><em>11 a.m.</em> Half marathon awards ceremony<br /><em>11:15 a.m.</em> Half marathon course closes</p>" id="18ec333a-b714-48f1-9b1d-823e876f84c9" style-type="bio" title="SCHEDULE OF EVENTS" type="relcontent"}}
The event, title-sponsored by Viking Range and organized and held by the Greenwood-Leflore Chamber of Commerce, brings out not only locals but many out-of-town runners.
“This race has been pretty steady and consistent and still has great numbers,” said Beth Stevens, executive director of the chamber. “It’s one of the good half marathons in our area, and it’s held during a good time of the year — not too hot, not too cold.”
As of Friday afternoon, 263 participants had already signed up for the event.
“We’re pretty close to being on track with last year,” said Stevens. “We usually have a lot of people with this event — about 400 to 450 every year.”
What brings the runners out year after year?
Stevens said it’s not only Greenwood hospitality and the scenic race route, but also because “we’re flat and runners get a good time.”
The half marathon starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K follows with a start time of 8:30 a.m.
Participants — running either 13.1 miles or 3.1 miles — will gather in downtown Greenwood. Both races start on Market Street in front of the Leflore County Courthouse and run east to Lamar Street. There will be a water stop at each mile of the course.
This year, the water stop volunteer groups will be in competition.
A prize of $150 to be donated to a charity of the winner’s choice will be awarded to the water stop that gets the most creative.
“We’re encouraging our volunteers to have a lot of fun with the water stops this year,” said Stevens. “We’re leaving the creativity to them. They can come up with a theme, dress up and make signs. This makes it fun for the runners.”
The chamber also hopes more residents will get in on the fun and is distributing fliers at the homes of those who live along the race course.
“We’re really encouraging people who live on the race route to make signs to put in their yards or be outside during the race to cheer for the runners,” said Stevens. “That’s a big deal to people who are running, and we thought this would be a fun way to encourage the runners to the finish line. We’re known for our great hospitality, and that’s what keeps people coming out.”
New this year at miles 5 and 10, Honey Stinger energy products will be available, including gel packs and waffle cookie bars, to the half marathon participants.
The race will finish on Front Street, where complimentary food — a choice of pizza from Domino’s, barbecue from Bo’s Bar-B-Q, grilled chicken wraps from By the Bridge Bistro or catfish from Larry’s Fish House — and refreshments will be available to runners and volunteers.
The post-race event will also feature live entertainment by Glen Fortinberry and the Tallahatchie Cats and an awards ceremony.
This year, ArtPlace Mississippi is teaming up with the chamber to create awards for the winners of the half marathon and 5K.
“Beth reached out to us about partnering,” said Sarah Iwanski, executive director of ArtPlace Mississippi. “We’re excited that she asked us and hope this is something we can continue to do in the coming years.”
Iwanski and Derek Hinckley, Greenwood Leflore Recycling coordinator, are designing the 150 trophies that will be awarded on Saturday.
The awards will feature the event’s new logo in black and a bright neon color on a block of wood.
“I’m grateful that ArtPlace can work with the chamber and be a part of this community event,” said Iwanski.
Half-marathon awards will be presented to the Top 3 overall male and female, top masters male and female, top grand masters male and female and top wheelchair male and female
Awards will also be presented in the half marathon to the three top men and women in the following age groups: 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 plus.
All who complete the half marathon will receive a finisher medal.
The 5K awards will be presented to the Top 3 overall male and female, top masters male and female and top grand masters male and female.
Awards will also be given in the 5K to the Top 3 male and female in the following age groups: 9 and under, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 plus.
Last year, Michael Wienandt of Oxford won the race with a time of 1 hour, 27 minutes, 9.19 seconds.
In the 5K race portion of the event, Greenwood’s Mischa McCray won with a time of 19:28.53. He had a 6:16 pace per mile.
Currently, registration fees are $70 for the half marathon and $40 for the 5K until Friday. The race-day registration fees will increase to $80 for the half marathon and $45 for the 5K.
All race participants will receive goodie bags filled with items from sponsors, including Viking, and T-shirts.
Both races are running events. A participant may choose to walk. The course, however, will close at 11:30 a.m.
“We’re just hoping for a good weather weekend and a great race,” said Stevens. “We definitely want to encourage all of our local folks to sign up, and we still have volunteer slots needing to be filled.”
To register for the race or for more information, visit www.vikinghalfmarathon.com.
Those interested in volunteering can call the chamber at 453-4152.
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
Thursday
11:59 p.m. Online registration closes Friday
1-6 p.m. Early packet pick up and registration at The Alluvian; Create your own snack mix, Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau hospitality table at The Alluvian
Saturday
6:30 a.m. Packet pick up and registration opens
7:45 a.m. Packet pick up 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 (promptly)
8:30 a.m. 5K race starts (promptly)
8:45 a.m. Band begins to play
8:50 a.m. Post race activities begin
8:50 a.m. Post race food available
9 a.m. Live entertainment
9:45 a.m. 5K awards ceremony
11 a.m. Half marathon awards ceremony
11:15 a.m. Half marathon course closes
