It’s back to the bridge for this year’s Over the River Run.

The annual fall 5K race, walk and 1K fun run had to be competed on a revamped course along Iowa Blvd. after the old Mississippi River Bridge was ruled out because of repair work.

Ameristar public relations director Bess Averett said the bridge is ready and the race will be run on Saturday, starting at 8 a.m.

“We’re excited about bringing this race back on Ameristar property and going across the river. We’ve partnered with River Region Health Systems to bring the 20th anniversary race back to the river,” Averett said.

Race directors Michael McMillin, Jana Webb, Kelly Jeffers and Alan Karel are glad the race is back in its original location

Over the River Run

Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5-mile run, 5-mile race walk. 1-mile fun run.

Cost: $25

Packet pickup scheduled for Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. at River Region West Campus.

“It’s not every day you can run across the third largest river in the world,” McMillin said.

“It’s a great experience for the runners because you can’t beat the view,” Averett said. “Last year the bridge was under construction so we had to go with a new course. But with this being the 20th aniversary, it was important to come back to the bridge,” Webb said. “Our numbers were down from the previous year because of the relocation. In 2006, we had 600 participants and raised $5,000 for the United Way. Last year, we had 300 to 400 participants at the Iowa Blvd. location. Thanks to our sponsors, we were still able to make a $5,000 donation.”

All proceeds from this year’s race will again go to the United Way of West Central Mississippi.

The race will begin at Navy Circle.

“The runners start here at the center and then go across the bridge to the town of Delta, which is the two-mile mark,” Webb said. “It’s a pretty flat run, which is different from last year. There were a lot more hills on the Iowa course.”