Warner Byrum, the “father of Vicksburg’s Run Thru History,” stands near the starting line. (The Vicksburg Post/MELANIE DUNCAN)

[03/01/01] For Chicago native Warner Byrum, each Run Thru History marks the coming of a new season.

“When you know the runners are here, then summer’s here,” said the 72-year-old founder of the event that draws more than 1,000 locals and others from across the Southeast each year. “The nicest thing is that it kind of kicks off the spring and our season here.”

As the first salesman for Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Byrum traveled all across the United States. After retiring in 1975 as vice president of sales, Byrum left the corporate world for something new.

“I love the South,” said Byrum, whose residence is in Sanibel, Fla. “The people and the lifestyle are so much different than in metropolitan Chicago.”

He and a partner bought four hotels three in Missouri and one in Vicksburg, a Ramada Inn before it became Battlefield Inn.

During his travels, Byrum had seen and read about the growing popularity of amateur runs in several cities. He thought the Vicksburg National Military Park with its roads winding through woods and monuments, would be a perfect site.

“It’s such a nice running trail with no traffic,” he said. “It really is a beautiful, very challenging run.”

The first Run Through History, in 1980, served as a kickoff for Vicksburg’s annual Spring Pilgrimage and involved about 400 participants. Byrum publicized the event in Sky, a monthly travel magazine published by Delta Airlines, and in Time magazine.

“You have to promote like the dickens,” he said.

During the past 22 years, the race has grown to nearly 1,000 participants each year. About 970 people are preregistered for Saturday’s race, and up to 1,200 are expected after late registration Friday and Saturday, treasurer Hays Latham said as he counted registration forms Wednesday night. He and about 40 committee members and volunteers gathered at Battlefield Inn, race headquarters, to stuff bags with key chains, drink huggies and other items donated by event sponsors, including Peyton Distributing Co., AmSouth Bank and River Region Health System. The race long ago became the largest event of the Mississippi Track Club and a core of volunteers puts it together every year.

“Vicksburg owes a lot to him (Byrum) and his foresight,” said Fred Peyton, owner of Peyton Distributing Co., one of the first sponsors of the event. “Without him, there probably wouldn’t be a race.”

Mack Varner, race director for the last 15 years, agreed. “I consider Warner to be the father of the Run Thru History. He’s as much in the promoting-Vicksburg mode today as he was 22 years ago.”

Byrum’s current project is dubbed the Battle For Vicksburg, an effort to blanket the South with 300 billboards directing travelers to the city and its various attractions. His consistent position is that Vicksburg has not tapped its potential for tourism.

The race consists of three events the 10-K (6.2 miles) run, the 5-K (3.1 miles) race walk and the Blue/Gray 1-Miler for 15 and younger. The 10-K and 5-K events involve participants of all ages and begin at the park’s Memorial Arch. The 1-Miler begins at Battlefield Inn. Awards and trophies are given to the top finishers.

Massage therapy will be provided by Mississippi Sports Massage Therapy before and after the race. Live entertainment and refreshments including beer, hot dogs and soft drinks will be featured at the post race party at Battlefield Inn.

Through the decades, the events have been held in all kinds of weather from sunshine and 70 degrees to sleet. Rain is expected Saturday, but temperatures will remain mild, with lows in the 40s and 50s and highs in the mid-60s.