Runners and walkers started gravitating toward Battlefield Inn Friday night to pick up race packets, register, or just meet old friends during the build-up to this morning’s Run Thru History.

About 750 people had registered for the race as of Friday night, RTH registration chairman Hays Latham said. That’s an increase of nearly 100 since early registration closed on Wednesday, and almost the same number as last year.

With nice weather forecast for this morning and one more round of registration scheduled for 7-8 a.m., Latham was expecting about 850 people to sign up for the 10-kilometer run, 5K walk and 1-mile fun run by the time the race starts at 8:30.

&#8220That’s great for Friday night. I’m thinking we’ll get another 100 tomorrow,” Latham said. &#8220The most we ever registered late was 250, so we hope to have about 850.”

Friday’s late registration had the atmosphere of a family reunion. Runners and walkers who had registered early came by to pick up their race packets, and many stayed a while to chat with friends and fellow racers.

&#8220I was just going to run in for two seconds and I’ve been here for a half-hour,” said Kristi Hall, who stopped by with her two young children, Gloria and Sam. &#8220Some of these people only run the Run Thru History, so it’s nice to see them. Even if people are running in the park, some are morning runners, some are evening runners and some are afternoon runners. So the Run Thru History is the only time everybody’s in the same place.”

RUN THRU HISTORY

Today, 8:30 a.m. Vicksburg National Military Park

Registration: $27; late registration is from 7 until 8 a.m. today at Battlefield Inn.