On Saturday, Greenwood’s downtown streets will fill with runners participating in the sixth annual Viking Half Marathon & 5K.
As of Wednesday morning, some 350 runners had registered online with more expected in the final days leading up to the combination half marathon (13.1 miles) and 5-kilometer (3 miles) race.
Tim Tyler, director of marketing at Viking Range, said he’ll be participating but won’t be running.
“One year, Johnny Jennings hooked up a GoPro camera on me and I ran,” Tyler said, laughing. “When it was over, he said all he could hear was me gasping and panting.”
But serious runners and some-time runners alike take part every year because of the race’s location, Tyler said.
“They come because the course is flat and it’s fun to run, and they come for the environment and the community,” Tyler said. “They come to eat at our excellent restaurants, to enjoy the Viking Cooking School and boutique shopping and to experience Greenwood’s hospitality.”
The first Viking Half Marathon was in 2012, and the annual event has become a tradition for a number of its participants, as well as a weekend getaway.
“Viking is proud to support the community and to showcase the town every year with this race,” Tyler said. “It brings runners here from all over the region and around the country, to experience the treasures Greenwood has to offer.”
Among those treasures are a large corps of friendly volunteers and community groups manning watering stations all around the city center, registering racers, handling concessions and generally making everyone feel at home.
The Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce organizes the race and coordinates community efforts.
Online registration ends tonight at midnight. Registration will continue Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. at The Alluvian. Those already registered can pick up their packets there.
Both races will start on Market Street in front of the Leflore County Courthouse. Early morning registration on Saturday begins at 6:30 at The Alluvian, and packet pick-up continues there as well until 7:45.
The half marathon race begins at 8 a.m., and the 5K race starts at 8:30 a.m.
Post-race activities begin at 8:50 a.m. with live entertainment and food available, and awards will be given out for the 5K at 9:45 and the half marathon at 11 a.m.
Both races will end on Front Street.
Awards will be given in multiple categories, including male and female participants in a range of age groups.
Spectators are invited to come and cheer on runners. They are advised to park in available church or business downtown parking lots or across the river at the Yazoo River boat landing on East Claiborne Avenue.
Race organizers want to keep parking spaces on Howard Street open to retail guests on Saturday as all stores will be open.
All pre-registered participants will receive a specially designed race shirt in the size they requested, and race day registrants will receive shirts given away on a first-come, first-served basis. A shirt exchange area will be provided.
The race will happen rain or shine, and water stops will be located approximately every mile. Runners should plan to arrive about an hour prior to start time, especially if they haven’t picked up their packets.
Baby joggers and strollers are allowed in the race, as are walkers. They should locate themselves at the back of the pack. Dogs are not allowed.
For more information, visit www.vikinghalfmarathon.com.
• Contact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
