RUNable Race Review: Run Thru History

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A Running Glance:

Things I loved

• Beautiful route thru the Military Park
• Post race party with live music AND a beer truck!
• The age group awards are miniature civil war cannons – do I need to go on??

Less than loved

• Challenging course, but excellent training!

RUNable Review:

Price

$25 is a great price for a 10k, especially one that winds through six beautiful landscaped miles of the Vicksburg National Military Park.  Heck, $25 for a 5k through three scenic miles ain’t too shabby either.

T-shirt/Swag

2019 is the 40^th anniversary of the Run Thru History! (WOOHOO! Congrats RTH!) In honor of this feat, race organizers opted to bring back the original race logo design to don this year’s shirts and award trophies. As per usual, the shirt itself is long sleeved, and a soft and comfy lightweight material. They also included an additional item this year: a navy beanie that features the classic RTH logo. Sweet.

Medal/Awards

RTH is known in the local running community for its incorporation of the civil war cannon into the race award trophies: cool plaques that feature 3D cannons, simply referred to as “a cannon”. *Example used in a sentence: “My runner friend, Julie, registered as a walker this year so she could finally get a cannon!” (I kid, I kid. Congrats Jules! You. Are. Awesome.)

Expo/Finish Line

There is no expo associated with this race, but the finish line party is a fun one. Live music by The Chill and a self-serve beer truck make for an enjoyable post-race party! Hotdogs and Gatorade are also offered up to participants. President Grant and the First Lady are around for photo ops, and they also present the awards to those lucky enough to hear their name called to receive a cannon. (Along with harps and angels singing. Earning a cannon is a BIG DEAL, y’all.)

Volunteers

Packet pick up was smooth and there were multiple volunteers on course calling times and encouraging participants. Great organization, as always!

Course Scenery

This is one of my favorite races based on this category alone. There is just something about seeing the windy, twisty, hilly horizon dotted with national monuments and runners that gets this runner fired up! Such a beautiful place to run.

Course Difficulty: LEVEL 4

If you’re looking for a gorgeous view that includes running some of the toughest hills in the great state of Mississippi, here it is. #HillsOnHills #HillYeah

Aid Stations

I can only recall one water stop at around the half-way point, but there may have been another one I’m forgetting. I usually carry my own water for anything over a 5k distance.

Parking/Access

There is parking available at the hotel across the street from the Military Park, but this fills up pretty quick, forcing participants to park along the interstate off-ramp and roadside.

Race Management

This race benefits the Vicksburg YMCA and they always do a bang-up job managing. Last year, and this year as well, they’ve also chartered a bus and offered free tours of the Military Park to race participants immediately following awards, which a nice (and educational) little bonus. This was my 5^th time to finish RTH, and it is always a fun experience. I’m looking forward to 2020 and hope to see you there.