Runners are expected to turn out in record numbers for the fourth annual Viking Half Marathon and 5K Run Saturday.
More than 500 runners had registered for the two races by Thursday night, said Beth Stevens, executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s definitely up from last year’s number,” Stevens said. “We should hit 550 runners easily.”
The 13.1-mile half marathon will start at 8 a.m. Saturday on Market Street in front of the Leflore County Courthouse and will take competitors on largely the same course as last year, looping through much of downtown and North Greenwood. A 3-mile 5K race will start from the same location at 8:30.
Chillier temperatures are expected for the race Saturday morning. The National Weather Service is predicting partly sunny skies with a high around 55 degrees and a 20 percent chance of light rain showers.
So far, more than 80 percent of those registering for the race are coming in from out of town, Stevens said. That’s a particularly good sign for the town, with many runners staying at Greenwood hotels and helping boost local businesses over the weekend.
Stevens said she expected more Greenwood competitors to register Saturday morning.
Runners can pick up their race packets or register today until 8 p.m. at The Alluvian on Howard Street. Registration will also be open Saturday morning before the race from 6:30 to 7:45.
Stevens credited Greenwood’s hospitality and the outstanding showing from the well over 100 volunteers who turn up each year for helping to keep the Viking Half Marathon growing despite an increasing number of similar events elsewhere.
“We’ve built up a reputation for being able to produce a good event,” Stevens said. “We’re so hospitable here, and it’s just amazing the level of support give to these events. We get a tremendous number of volunteers from (Greenwood Leflore Hospital), from young people in the community, from the chamber, local businesses and civic clubs.”
“We always get comments from participants about how cheerful and helpful everyone in town is,” Stevens said. “That means so much to people who come in to run.”
• Contact Bryn Stole at 581-7235 or bstole@gwcommonwealth.com.
