A competitive field is expected for the Taco Bell River City Classic to be run Saturday. The race starts on the Mississippi River Bluff beginning at 9 a.m.

&uot;We’ve got about the same number as last year,&uot; said race organizer Wayne Potter. &uot;We had about 300 participants last year. &uot;We’re looking for another competitive race. The weather has been nice and everybody has been able to get out to prepare for the run.&uot;

The day’s events consist of a 10K (6.2 miles) run, a 5K (3.1 miles) walk, both of which begin at 9 a.m. at Broadway and Main Streets.

The finish line for the race is located at the same spot.

A 1-mile run will be held following the completion of the 10K run.

The pre-registration fee for the 10K run and 5K walk is $15 per person, and $18 per person on race day.

Each participant in the 10K run and 5K walk will receive a T-shirt commemorating the event.

Trophies are awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in the various age divisions for men and women in both the 10K run and the 5K walk.

Potter said the entry fees supplement the contributions of the sponsors, Taco Bell, United Mississippi Bank, International Paper Company, Potter Garcia Management Group and Bluff City Striders Running Club, in covering the expenses associated with the event.

The entry fee for the 1-mile run is $3 per person.

All proceeds from the 1-mile fun run to be held after the regular race benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Mississippi Chapter.

Trophies from each event are awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in each age category.

Awards are also given in the 10K run and 5K walk for the first, second and third place overall finishers, both male and female, and first overall in the male and female masters and grand masters division.

All events are directed by the Mississippi Track Club.

A $250 cash prize for the course record is being offered in the 10K run and 5K walk for both male and female participants.

The male course record for the 10K run was set in 1992 at 32 minutes, 16 seconds by Joseph Curro of Vicksburg.

The female course record for the 10K run was set in 1999 at 38 minutes, 10 seconds by Petra Staskova of Mobile, Ala.

Staskova entered last year’s race with a friend from Mobile.

&uot;We have been trying to get ahold of Petra, but have not been able to so far,&uot; Porter said.

The male course record for the 5K walk was set in 1999 by Dave McGovern of Mobile, Ala., at a time of 21 minutes, 43 seconds.

&uot;Dave is expected to be back,&uot; Potter said.

The female course record for the 5K walk was set in 1997 by Barbara Duplichain, Richland at 25 minutes, 45 seconds.

Duplichain is a seven-time winner of this event.

The Taco Bell River City Classic has become a well known premier event in the running and walking circles of the Miss-Lou area and has been sanctioned by the Mississippi Track Club as a Grand Prix event.

At the conclusion of the race, the trophies in all events will be awarded and free hot dogs and beverages will be served.

Insurance regulations prohibit baby strollers, earphones/headsets, dogs, bicycles, skaters and rollerblades in the race.

Information and registration brochures are available at the offices of Potter Garcia Management Group, on Highland Boulevard; The Sports Center on Martin Luther King; and United Mississippi Bank downtown.

Spectators are encouraged to join in the festivities.

Contact Chris McCary at 601-446-6090 or e-mail her at cmccary@shanapetroleum.com for additional information.

Roads will be monitored by the Natchez Police Department and volunteers during the race.