Despite the possibility of heavy rain Saturday, the 32nd annual 300 Oaks Road Race is going full steam ahead.
“I think we’re up to about 500 people who have signed up so far,” said Beth Stevens, executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce, the organizer of the annual event.
She said that’s down slightly from previous years.
“I know people are watching what the weather will do,” she said. “The race will happen whether it rains or not. A little rain isn’t going to stop us.”
She said those plans might change if the threat escalates to thunderstorms.
For a region that has seen little precipitation in the past three months, things are looking differently for this weekend beginning Friday night.
“We do have a cold front moving into the area. Chances (for rain) are probably highest late Friday night or Saturday morning,” said David Cox, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson.
He said the forecast calls for between 1 and 3 inches of rain for Greenwood, with the heaviest rainfall expected early Saturday. Cox said some thunderstorms may occur as the system moves through the area — just as the race is scheduled to get under way.
“We’re hoping that it holds off,” said Jaime Wilbanks, chairman of the chamber’s Race Committee.
The 10K run begins at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K run at 8:10 a.m. and the 5K walk at 8:20 a.m.
The 1-mile Fun Run starts at around 9:30 a.m.
Online registration for the event’s 10K run, the 5K run, the 5K walk and the 1-mile Fun Run closes tonight at midnight.
Pre-registration and a pre-race party will also take place at the Hampton Inn, 1815 U.S. 82 West, from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Registration Saturday will begin at 7:45 a.m.
The starting line is on East President Avenue, about two blocks off of Grand Boulevard.
A post-race party will be held on Front Street in front of Viking Range Corp.’s corporate offices.
New to 300 Oaks this year is “chip timing,” in which participant will be provided individualized computer chips with their badges. Chip timing allows the posting of results as soon as the runner or walker crosses the finish line.
In prior years, the Mississippi Track Club monitored the runners and walkers and later posted the results online. The club does not offer chip timing, Stevens said.
This year, 300 Oaks is being supervised by the firm Start to Finish of Long Beach, N.Y., which has been used in the chamber’s other annual event, the Viking Half Marathon.
“I’m excited about the chip timing,” said Wilbanks. “The racers can see where they stand as soon as they cross the finish line.”
She said a lot of race participants hold off, looking at the weather forecasts, before signing up.
Stevens said 12 teams had signed up.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
