Vicksburg Run Thru History

VICKSBURG RUN THRU HISTORY

RACE BACKGROUND

Celebrating its 45th year, the Vicksburg Run Thru History 10K road race is held every year, rain or shine, on the first Saturday in March. Since the first 10K race in 1980, the race has grown each year and now is one of Mississippi's largest road races. A 1 mile event was added in 1985 and a 5K event was added in 1989.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The entire Vicksburg Run Thru History race course is within the boundaries of the historic Vicksburg National Military Park which commemorates one of the most decisive battles of the American Civil War - the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg. The race course is challenging with steep inclines and rolling hills that wind through the scenic battlefield taking you past cannons, fortifications, and trenches that have remained from the war. The National Park Service has erected markers to denote the location of military units and the skirmishes in which they were involved. Large prominent granite and marble monuments have been erected over the years by various states to commemorate the efforts of their soldiers during the war. The race is started by the firing of a reproduction Civil War cannon along with a living history encampment and demonstrations to immerse park visitors in the sights and sounds of the past. Race direction is provided by the Mississippi Track Club.

RACE LENGTHS

10K Run - 10 Kilometers / 6.2 Miles

5K Walk - 5 Kilometers / 3.1 Miles

Cannonball Run 1 Miler - 1.6 Kilometers / 1 Mile

DATE, PLACE, AND TIME OF RACES

Vicksburg Run Thru History

Saturday March 2, 2024

Vicksburg National Military Park

3201 Clay Street

Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183

10K race starts at 8:00 a.m.

5K walk starts at 8:05 a.m.

Cannonball Run 1 Miler starts at 9:30 a.m.

Awards ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

ENTRY FEES AND DEADLINES

Vicksburg Run Thru History mail registration must be postmarked no later than Monday February 26, 2024. Runners must register in person thereafter at race headquarters beginning Friday March 1st from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again on Saturday March 2nd from 7:00 a.m. until 7:50 a.m. The entry fees for the 10K run and 5K race walk are $30.00 each. Add $2.00 for a XXL size adult shirt. There entry fee for the Cannonball Run 1 Miler is $10.00 and the event is limited to children 12 and under. Cannonball Run 1 Miler T-shirts are free to the first 100 registrants. A late registration fee of $35.00 will apply to the 10K & 5K events if registration occurs after Monday February 26th. Please make checks payable to the YMCA. T-shirt availability nor size is guaranteed to late entrants.

AGE GROUPS AND CATEGORIES

The 10K run will include the following USA Track & Field (USATF) age groups: 19-under; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70 & over. The 5K walk will include the following age groups: 19-under; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70-79 & 80 and older. Awards will be given to male and female Overall, Masters (40-49), Grand Masters (50-59), and Senior Masters (60 & above) in both the 10K run and 5K walk.

The Cannonball Run 1-mile fun run is for children age 12 and younger. Awards will be given for the overall male and overall female finishers. Medals will be given to the first 100 Cannonball Run finishers.

At this time we do not have a separate category for wheelchair competitors. If you choose to participate as a wheelchair competitor, please register early so that we can accommodate your needs. Wheelchair racing guidelines will apply.

CORPORATE CHALLENGE

The Vicksburg Run Thru History Corporate Challenge promotes health and fitness in the workplace and creates camaraderie among employees by encouraging local businesses to organize corporate teams of five employees per team to compete in both the 10K run and 5K walk. Not all Corporate Challenge participants race competitively with many teams run-walking the 10K course and walking the 5K course. There are two overall awards for the Corporate Challenge, the Fastest Team and the Largest Team with individual team members eligible for all other categories of race awards. Businesses with large numbers of employees are encouraged to enter multiple teams of five employees each and corporate team shirts are encouraged.

HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENT

The Vicksburg Run Thru History race is started by soldiers firing a Civil War cannon along with a living history encampment and demonstrations located near the Park Visitors Center at the start/finish line to immerse park visitors in the sights and sounds of the past and to give observers a sense of stepping back in time, conveying a sense of the everyday life in Vicksburg during the war. Visitors can explore various aspects of Civil War life, including the life of a soldier, civilians, medicine, and watch spinning demonstrations.

RACE CONTACT INFORMATION

Email - phillipd@vicksburgymca.com

[Image: Phone] Phone - (601) 638-1071

[Image: Fax] Fax - (601) 634-0918

[Image: Letter] Postal Address - Vicksburg Run Thru History, 267 YMCA Place, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183

For all Vicksburg Run Thru History race related questions, please call the Vicksburg YMCA at (601) 638-1071, or email Race Director Phillip Doiron at phillipd@vicksburgymca.com .

RACE HEADQUARTERS

The Vicksburg Hampton Inn and Suites will serve as Race Headquarters and is located directly across the street from the start and finish line for all races. A special discounted accommodations package is available at the Vicksburg Hampton Inn and Suites, 3330 Clay Street, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183, (601) 636-6100. The Run Thru History must be mentioned in order to get the runner discount rates. Clothing and personal belongings storage will be provided on race day starting at 7:00 a.m. and closing at 12:00 p.m. in the registration area. A message board and information desk will be set up near the finish area to assist runners, their families and friends. Results will also be posted in this area.

RUNNER SAFETY

The Vicksburg Run Thru History race committee takes every precaution to make our race a very safe one. The entire race course is temporarily closed to vehicular traffic. All intersections are secured by park rangers from the Vicksburg National Military Park, police officers from the Vicksburg Police Department, and deputies from the Warren County Sheriff's Office. Ham radio operators from the Vicksburg Amateur Radio Club are located every mile throughout the course and have radio contact with paramedics from the Vicksburg Fire Department. They can direct an ambulance anywhere along the race course within minutes. A Vicksburg Fire Department advanced life support ambulance is stationed at the start/finish area and athletes on the course are never more than five minutes from a hospital. Each kilometer and mile is marked throughout the course and aid stations are located at the starting line, at the 2-mile and 4-mile markers, and at the finish line. For runners unable to complete the race, a park ranger will be available to return them to the park visitor's center.

LATE REGISTRATION, RACE PACKET AND T-SHIRT PICKUP

Late registration and race packet pick up will be at Race Headquarters at the Vicksburg Hampton Inn and Suites on Friday evening March 1st from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Race day late registration on Saturday morning March 2nd will be held from 7:00 a.m.until 7:50 a.m at a tent located in the Vicksburg National Military Park near the starting line. The cost of late registration will be $35.00 for the 10K & 5K events if registration occurs after Monday February 26th. Each entrant is responsible for picking up their own race packet. No race packets will be mailed.The packet will include your race number, a light weight polyester microfiber moisture wicking short sleeve technical T-shirt, and a number of goodies from our sponsors. Race numbers must be worn on front, visible at all times during the race. Runners crossing the finish line without a race number will be disqualified.

FRIDAY NIGHT PASTA DINNER

A complimentary carbo-loading spaghetti dinner buffet for the first 200 registered runners, hosted by the Vicksburg Hampton Inn and Suites, will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Friday night before the race. This free all-you-can-eat menu features spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and a choice of beverages.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

Traveling Interstate 20, take Vicksburg Exit 4B, then follow Clay Street (US Highway 80) west. The Vicksburg National Miltary Park, located at 3201 Clay Street Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183, will be 1/4 mile on your right at the traffic signal. The Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor's Center parking lot will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic, with the exception of handicapped and emergency vehicles, for the duration of the race. Runners staying at nearby motels should leave their vehicles parked there. Local runners and friends should park at the Vicksburg Hampton Inn and Suites, along Clay Street, along Old Highway 27, and along the I-20 Frontage Road.

WATER STOPS AND RESTROOMS

There are three water stops located on the course. Water stop #1, shared by both the 5K and 10K, is located near the intersection of Confederate Avenue and Pemberton Avenue in the north loop of the park. Water stop #2, shared by both the 5K and 10K, is located at the triangle intersection of Union Avenue and Confederate Avenue leading to the south loop of the park. Water stop #3 is on the 10K course near Mile Marker 5 located at the Tour Stop 15 sign at Hovey's Approach. Restrooms are available at the start/finish line area located near the Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor's Center and at the post race party located at the Vicksburg Hampton Inn and Suites.

RACE ETIQUETTE

Runners should position themselves at the starting line according to anticipated finishing times. Do not impede the progress of other runners. Slower runners should keep right. Run left, walk right. Please be respectful during the singing of our National Anthem, remove your hat, and place your right hand over your heart while facing the American flag. If you must stop running due to exhaustion or to tie your shoes, exit the right side of the course and allow others to pass on your left. If must clear your throat during the race, be aware of your fellow runners behind you and to your sides. If you listen to music on your headphones while running please be cognizant of others on the course. If you run with your dog, keep the leash short. Keep moving at water stops and do not block other runners access to water tables. Parents pushing jogging baby strollers should position themselves at the rear of race start behind other runners and the yield right of way to other race participants. Do not slow down or stop while in the finish chutes and stay in the order of finish until you leave the finish chute.

RACE DAY WEATHER

The Vicksburg Run Thru History will be run rain or shine. Runners should keep abreast of the Vicksburg, Mississippi weather forecast prior to the race.

POST-RACE ACTIVITIES

The traditional Run Thru History post-race party will be held immediatley after the race at the Vicksburg Hampton Inn and Suites and will feature beer, soft drinks, hot dogs, refreshments, and live music entertainment by THE CHILL. The post race party is open to all race entrants, volunteers and their guests. Awards will be presented to the top men and women finishers during the post race awards presentation, which will start at 10:30 a.m.

An after-the-race party will be held at Toney's Grill & Seafood Market located at 710 US Highway 61 North Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183, featuring a crawfish boil with live music from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00p.m.

TIMING AND RESULTS

Time splits are called at every mile. Runners, run-walkers, and walkers should maintain a 20-minute per mile pace or a 2:00:00 hour finish time so that the National Park Service can reopen the course to normal vehicle traffic. If you are making forward progress towards the finish line you will be timed regardless of pace. Results for top finishers in each age group will be available immediately after the race. Complete Vicksburg Run Thru History race results are posted on the results page of this web site on race day and published in the The Vicksburg Post and Vicksburg Daily News.