Leading up to the Run Thru History, the weather report is always a hot topic.

This year’s will put a lot of runners and walkers at ease. Partly cloudy skies with cool temps in the morning will greet the nearly 850 runners and walkers for the 29th installment of the 10 kilometer run and 5K walk through the Vicksburg National Military Park.

The race is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 this morning at the main arch at the entrance to the park. The races will finish at the Battlefield Inn.

Registration is still available this morning from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. at the Battlefield Inn. RTH registration chairman Hays Latham said the prospects of good weather could mean a wealth of walk up runners and walkers. Late registration is $27 for the run and walk and $14 for the Blue Gray one-mile fun run for children.

“It makes it cooler if it’s raining. We (runners) love it. It’s just not as nice for the spectators,” Latham said.

As of Friday night, 345 people had registered for the 10K run, 426 for the 5K walk and 75 for the 1-miler, for a total of 846. The total number with today’s walk-ups is expected to be close to 1,000, Latham said. That’s up slightly from recent years.

“Maybe the weather’s been better, people have been able to train more. I’m not sure why there’s more this year,” Latham said.

Postrace entertainment by local band The Chill as well as an awards ceremony are planned for the parking lot of the Battlfield Inn after the race.

Runners again will pursue the course record set by Hector Ortiz, who finished the race with a time of 30 minutes, 35 seconds. Teresa Harmon holds the women’s record at 38:12.

In the walk, David Wilbanks holds the fastest men’s time with a 23:18 and Barbara Duplichain holds the women’s record at 25:39.

The course has not changed and the signature trophies featuring a mini cannon will be given to the winners.