There’s still one day to go until the 31st annual Run Thru History, but it seems as if the masses are already lining up under the arch in the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Almost 800 people had registered for the 10-kilometer run, 5-kilomter racewalk and 1-mile fun run through the Park as of Thursday, RTH committee member Dustin Blount said. That’s slighty fewer than last year — 858 people had signed up by the Thursday before the 2009 race — but with good weather forecast for Saturday the final tally is expected to be above the average of recent years.

“We’re a little under 800. Around 770-something. That’s still on pace for last year’s. We expect to have about 800. That would be on pace for just about every year since they started,” Blount said.

Runners and walkers can still register tonight and Saturday morning at Battlefield Inn. Registration will be open from 5 until 8 tonight, and from 7 to 8 a.m. Saturday. Race packets also can be picked up tonight, and Blount encouraged participants to get them early. The more packets organizers can give out ahead of time, the smoother the late registration process will run, Blount said.

“It makes things so much easier for them and us come race day,” he said.

Among the goodies in the race packet is one of this year’s new wrinkles, a computer timing chip. The chip, which features the logo of race sponsor Ameristar Casino, attaches to the shoes of runners and walkers. It records their time as they cross a mat located at the start and finish lines.

Blount reminded all runners and walkers to attach the chip to their shoes, however, or else their finish will not be recorded in the official results. Unlike some other races where the chips are used, they do not need to be returned at the conclusion of the race.

“We want to make sure everyone has the timing chip on their shoelace at the start. If they don’t show up with their chip they won’t get a time,” Blount said.

The Run Thru History begins at 8:30 a.m. with the 10K run, followed by the start of the 5K racewalk about five minutes later. The Blue/Gray 1-miler will start in front of Battlefield Inn at the conclusion of the other races.

Instead of a starter’s pistol, this year’s RTH will begin with a bigger bang.