The rain and warm temperatures that had plagued Vicksburg throughout the week were long gone Saturday morning leaving clear blue skies and temperatures in the 60s to greet racers in the 39th annual Run Thru History.

The annual race is hosted by the Junius Ward Johnson Memorial YMCA and includes a 5K walk and a 10K run as well as a 1-mile fun run for kids through Vicksburg National Military Park.

This year, more than 750 participants took part in the three races.

“I think it does more for the community,” YMCA executive director Phillip Doiron said. “It is really beyond the Y. It is something Vicksburg has embraced for 39 years. It has become an event more than a race. With all the extra historical activities going on, the band, the atmosphere, it is just perfect for the town.”

This year, along with the three races, the event included a performance by the band The Chill, free bus tours through the park for participants and their families and multiple living history actors explaining portions of the park’s history.

“Last year, we had some living history actors out here, but this year we really wanted to build on that foundation we laid last year and build on that and keep it going into the future and make this a bigger event than just the race,” VNMP chief of interpretation Scott Babinowich said. “A weekend where people are coming here for the race, but also using it as an opportunity to learn more about the park.”

The living history actors included soldiers from both sides, a couple in period dress and a surgeon who discussed Civil War era medical practices.

Lisa Kubiak was one of the many participants who ran the 10K and then took time to explore the living history and learn more about the park.

“I like it because since it is a military park and there is a lot of history here, it is nice to have people here who are going to go over the history and they are in a character,” she said. “They go over what their character would have done. I have been spending a lot of time here at the surgery place and he’s been going over surgery techniques and different medicines used.”

Doiron said they have continued to work to make the day more of an event than just a race in order to set themselves apart and continue to be an important part of Vicksburg’s calendar.

“When we started this race in 1980, a 10K race was unusual,” he said.

“In 2018, they are every weekend. You had to set yourself apart. We are already in the most beautiful location to run in the state of Mississippi, so why not take advantage of the history that is here and make it a part of the race. Instead of saying you are running through it, you are experiencing it.

“Perfect weather. Great turnout. We couldn’t ask for more.”