COMING UP
What: The 41st annual 300 Oaks Road Race, sponsored by the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce, will be held.
When: Next Saturday, Sept. 18. 10K run starts at 8 a.m., 5K run starts at 8:10 a.m., 5K walk starts at 8:15 a.m., and 1-mile fun run starts at 9 a.m.
Where: All of the races will begin at the Yazoo River boat landing on East Claiborne Avenue.
Details: Online registration closes Thursday. To register for the event, visit 300oaks.com. For more information about 300 Oaks, questions about registration or to volunteer, call the chamber at 453-4152.
Before the official start of the fall season, close out the summer by participating in one of the oldest road races in the state.
The 41st annual 300 Oaks Road Race, sponsored by the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce, will begin at 8 a.m. next Saturday, Sept. 18.
“It’s a great event,” said Beth Stevens, executive director of the chamber. “There’s a lot of history with 300 Oaks. It has a good following, and a lot of locals participate in this event, and then we get a good many of out-of-towners.”
The event includes 10K and 5K runs, a 5K walk and a 1-mile fun run. All of the races will begin at the Yazoo River boat landing on East Claiborne Avenue.
“The weather always seems to be really good for this event,” said Stevens. “There’s a little bit of fall in the air about mid-September, so the mornings are usually fairly nice. I think that tends to bring a lot of people out. So that’s one of the pluses we have going for us.”
One reason the event is popular among locals is its team option, which also features a discount on the participant registration fee. Many Greenwood-area businesses, churches and organizations form teams to compete in either the 5K walk or the 10K run.
“This is one of our events that we encourage team participation,” said Stevens. “We always have a lot of groups that will put teams together for the 5K walk or 10K run.”
Each team must have at least five members.
“The team can be anything from a family, a company, a business, a nonprofit, a church group or youth group,” she said. “It’s a great way to get together.”
The event is also popular because of the 5K walk option — making it an event in which anyone can participate — and also due to the scenic race routes, largely shaded by Greenwood’s many oak trees.
“The 10K, part of it is in North Greenwood, and then it goes across the bridge into downtown and follows Rail Spike Park for the last 3 miles,” said Stevens. “When we changed the routes a few years ago, we incorporated Rail Spike Park for the 10K part of the event because we think that’s a great spot, and it’s good for running. It’s scenic, and it’s a great way to showcase part of downtown with that particular run.”
While the 1-mile fun run for children will be back this year, it will not be a color run, which was what it typically was before the pandemic.
“Hopefully we’re going to be able to bring that back next year, but it will still be a fun run,” said Stevens.
This year, water stops at every mile marker will return.
“Last year, we just had them every other mile,” said Stevens. “We’ll have all of them back this year.”
Volunteers at the water stops include Crown Club, mile 1; Delta Girls, mile 2; Sta-Home Health & Hospice, mile 3; Girl Scouts, mile 4; First Baptist Church, mile 5; and Sunflower Home Health, which will also offer first aid at the finish line.
The event is known for its unique and one-of-a-kind awards. The awards presented to the overall winners this year will be painted blocks created by Greenwood artist Shawn Hodges. For the age division winners, tile trivets with the 300 Oaks logo will be awarded.
Individual awards are given to the overall male and female in each category. Also for each race, first-, second- and third-place awards will be given to winners in different age increments. Awards will be given to the largest teams and the fastest teams in each category.
After the races, a cookout will be held at the arboretum by the river.
The cookout will include hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments. Steven Cookston of Greenwood and his cooking team will be preparing the hamburgers and hot dogs, and members of American Legion Post 29 will be serving the food.
“That’s always a good time,” Stevens said about the post-race party.
Online registration closes Thursday. With each entry fee, a participant will receive a T-shirt and goody bag.
“There are a lot of little amenities that come with the registration fee,” Stevens said.
She said anyone who is interested in volunteering at the event can call the chamber.
“We can always find a place to put somebody if they want to help,” she said.
“I think right now, with everything going on with COVID, one of the best things we can do is get out and get exercise and vitamin D, and this is a great way to do it,” Stevens added. “These kind of events lend themselves to social distancing and spreading out and just taking in the beauty of our little community. ... It’s a beautiful, scenic walk or run, so we just encourage people to come out and participate.”
All of the races are chip timed by Start 2 Finish.
To register for the event, visit 300oaks.com.
For more information about 300 Oaks, questions about registration or to volunteer, call the chamber at 453-4152.
- Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7235 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
