It has been a wild six weeks for Annette Kirklin.

If you go

Over the River Run

Saturday, 8 a.m.

at Old River Bridge

Click here for a registration form

Raceday registration: Saturday, 6:30-7:30 a.m.

Race packets can be picked up from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation auditorium at Crawford and Cherry Streets. Runners and walkers can also register at that time.

Ever since her organization took control of the Over the River Run, the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation’s executive director has been busy lining up sponsors and volunteers, securing permits and spreading the word about its new project.

All of the hard work is paying off. The 21st annual Over the River Run will go on Saturday morning. Kirklin said this morning 441 people had registered for the 5-mile run and racewalk across the Old Mississippi River Bridge. Another 130 people had offered their help as volunteers.

A total of 411 people participated in the run and walk last year.

“It has been crazy in a good way. There’s so many people that help the foundation that that has helped out a lot. People have thanked us for not letting something happen to it,” Kirklin said. “It does your heart good. The community has really come together with it. There’s a lot of people that are helping, that are also participating in the race. They want to help before and after they run.”

The SCHF took control of the Over the River Run in late August, after River Region Health System ended its longtime sponsorship. That left little time for the SCHF to organize the small army of volunteers, find sponsors and secure permits that are essential to a successful race.

It has come together nicely, though. Kirklin said roughly $17,000 in sponsorships have been secured. Ameristar Casino, a longtime sponsor of the race, will host an after-party in the old Delta Point parking lot on Washington Street. The Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Good Samaritan Physical Therapy and Velocity Sports Performance, and Central Mississippi Medical Center are the race’s other main sponsors. Central Mississippi Medical Center, in conjunction with Medical Associates of Vicksburg, donated $5,000.

“We feel blessed to sponsor the run this year and show our support for the Vicksburg and surrounding communities,” said Glen Silverman, CEO of Central Mississippi Medical Center. “Residents are beginning to realize they have another choice for healthcare just 30 minutes down the road and can access that healthcare through our partners, Medical Associates of Vicksburg. The run is a great opportunity for us to give back to those who support us. We look forward to serving the Vicksburg and surrounding areas in the future.”

Runners from a half-dozen states have registered. Advertising in Greenville, Monroe and Jackson has spread the word throughout the state and drawn more runners. Runners and walkers can register up until Saturday morning.

Raceday registration will be open from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Mississippi Welcome Center on Washington Street. Runners and walkers can also register on Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the SCHF auditorium on the corner of Crawford and Cherry Street.

Those who have pre-registered can pick up their race packets at the same time Friday.

The registration fee is $30.

“What I’ve been told from people that have worked it in the past is, we’re ahead of the game from years past,” Kirklin said. “It’s looking like it’s going to be a really successful race.”

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Contact Ernest Bowker at ebowker@vicksburgpost.com