The 35th annual Run for the Roses 5K walk/run will be held this Saturday, April 14 in Prentiss.

The Run for the Roses 5K event is one of Mississippi’s premier road races produced by the Run for the Roses Committee and community participation.

Registration fee proceeds from the race will be used to support the college scholarship fund and community improvement projects.

The event attracts runners/walkers from across the states to Prentiss. Runners from Georgia and Louisiana are pre-registered, among others.

The 5-K Run/Walk will begin at 8 a.m. The one-mile walk/run will begin shortly after the conclusion of the 5-K (approximately 9 a.m.) and the quarter-mile preschool walk/run will follow (approximately 9:30 a.m.).

All participants are urged to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of event start time in order to check-in and pick up race t-shirts.

You must register to enter the runs and to be eligible to win an award. Individuals and five member teams may compete in the 5K run/walk.

Awards will be given to the overall winner, male and female, first Jefferson Davis County runners, male and female, Masters male and female, Grand Masters male and female, and top three finishers in each age group, male and female.

In the one-mile, awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age group (0-15) regardless of sex; and the top two finishers (16 and up) regardless of sex.

Ribbons will be given to finishers while supplies last and an award will be presented to the school with the most participants.

There will be a quarter-mile preschool run for children 6 years of age and under.

There will also be an Oldest Participant award.

The Overall Winner, male and female, will receive awards and $100 cash.

The Masters Winner, male and female, will receive awards and $50 cash.

T-shirts with race logo and sponsors will be presented to all participants registered prior to March 30.

To honor a long time tradition roses will be given to all female 5K finishers and bouquets for Overall, Masters and Grandmasters female winners.

There will be a $500 cash award given to the male and female who breaks the 5K course record of male 15:03 minutes and female 18:15 minutes. The female record was broken in 2016 by Tiffany Ann Dudly. Dudly broke the decades old record by finishing the race three seconds faster than the previous record holder with a time of 18:15. Dudly is from Starkville and said she decided she wanted to do a run in the southern portion of the state so she searched the internet and found Prentiss’ Run for the Roses.

The MS Track Club will time all run events and the best time wins each event.

All participants are eligible to win multiple awards.

Megan Brown of WJDR will provide music for the event.

Thirteen food and craft vendors have signed up to participate Saturday through Unity in the Community and will be located in the Longleaf Trace Park.

Vendors include: P & A Treats, Prentiss High Class of 1980, White’s Family, Scooter’s Shaved Ice Shack, A & K Creations, Boleware Concessions, Hookers Place, Eloquent Creations, Baylous Hair Bows & Homemade Crafts, Doughnut Shop, Double Ox Farms, Outreach Fellowship and Paparazzi Jewelry/Books.

Items for sale will include jewelry, wreaths, t-shirts, kid’s novelties, Easter baskets and food items. Metro Crime Stoppers will be in the park and there will also be a health screening booth checking blood pressure and sugar.

Other informational booths include: Mississippi State Extension, Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition, Five-County, roboties, Caring Hands and DJ Shuttle.

Come out to the Prentiss Longleaf Trace Park this Saturday, April 14, for the festivities. Whether you watch or participate in the runs Saturday morning, it will be a good place to meet your friends or bring your family for food, fun and entertainment.

For further information about the Run for the Roses events visit the website at www.runfortheroses5k.com or contact Missy Jones at 601-792-5741.