The Run Thru History is hitting the big three-oh.

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The RTH, the largest road race in Mississippi, returns to the Vicksburg National Military Park on Saturday for its 30th installment. The 10-kilometer run and 5-kilometer race walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the arch near the park’s entrance and wind around the north and south loops. The race ends at Battlefield Inn, and will be followed by the children’s Blue-Gray 1-Miler.

As of this morning, 549 people had signed up for the three races, slightly ahead of last year’s pace, said RTH registration chairman Hays Latham.

“This year is the latest it can be. People get a little more spring fever and think about coming out to do it,” Latham said.

 A total of 760 people actually participated in the 2008 RTH; 695 patricipated in 2007, 689 in 2006, and 715 in 2005. It’s not uncommon for registered runners and walkers to stay home on raceday because of weather or changes in plans. With a few more days to receive mail-in registrations, and a good weather forecast for Saturday, that should help raceday registration. Latham expected to exceed the 700-runner barrier again.

Early registration ends Wednesday, but runners and walkers can still register Friday from 5-8 p.m., or from 7-8 a.m. Saturday, at Battlefield Inn. The raceday registration fee is $27, with $2 from the fee going to the Vicksburg Military Park for battlefield restoration and maintenance. The entry fee for the 1-mile fun run is $14.

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Contact Ernest Bowker at ebowker@vicksburgpost.com.