Run the River Ultra Challenge and Relay hosted by the City of Petal offers runners a beautiful trek along the Leaf River under a canopy of hardwoods at Petal River Park.

Runners decide between individual runner or teams of 2, or 3-4 members run or walk on well-maintained trails for 6 hours. Individual runners will run as many laps as they wish within the 6 hour time limit. Relay teams can choose how they run each lap with their team with one runner at a time. The approximate 2.5 mile loop course includes wide meadow lanes and single-track trails where participants enjoy views of the river, lagoons, wetlands, palmetto fields, and train trestles.

Run the River is a family and friends tailgating style event and open to everyone looking for an adventure at any level. Teams/individuals compete by finishing as many loops as possible before the cutoff. Only one team member can be on course at a time, but teams can complete the loops at any pace, using any strategy they like. A full lap has to be completed in the 6 hour time limit to be counted. Each team/individual will have their own party/rest zone on-site. From here, team members and family can cheer for their runners as they pop out by the river and make the last stretch along the meadow to the finish/exchange. Run or walk one lap or as many as you can, test your limits, run your first ultra distance or a few miles. Divisions will include male and female for individuals. Teams can be all male, female or co-ed.

You don’t want to miss our second year of Run the River! So, grab a couple of friends and family and come party with us. Friends and family of runners are welcome to come enjoy the fun with you!

PRICING

The registration reflects the same price for each registered runner whether you are running as an individual or on a team. When joining a team, each individual runner will register under their team name and pay their race registration fee for themselves. See below for information on how to do relay registration.

PARKING, CAMPING SITE AND REFRESHMENTS

A map will be sent by email and posted on facebook race week to show parking and tailgating zones. There will be plenty of parking located near the zone site along the side drive way. The park will open at 6:00am race morning and each team will be allowed to have one car drop off gear at the site parking lot if needed from 6:00-7:00am and then move that car to the parking zones right beside the tailgate area. The start and end of the race will be in the same location as your tailgating site. There will be priority zone sights for our sponsor teams located near the race start that will be roped off. All other areas will be first come, first serve. The city allows you to drop off and set up tents the night before, if you wish. Just note that it is still a public site and no security is provided overnight. So, do so at your own risk.

You will be allowed to bring your own food and refreshments including alcohol, but we do ask to keep the area clean and be responsible. We recommend you bring food and drinks to place in your site for refueling. Thanks in part to our sponsors food and drinks will be provided at the loop start/race finish. There will be no on-course nutrition or aid stations due to the short loop. We recommend you bring a bottle to carry if you need hydration during the lap. Remember this is a trail run and there will be roots and uneven terrain. Please be aware of your surroundings/footing. We recommend high ankle socks.

TIMING

Run the River will be timed by Diva Timing. Individuals will wear a bib. Each team will have a baton that you will pass to the team mate in the exchange area. Only one runner is allowed on course at a time. Once they have crossed the timing mat after each lap, that member will hand off their baton to the next runner to start. Teams and individuals will win based on total number of laps completed before the cutoff. Only laps completed within 6 hours count. In the case of a tie, we will use lap times to determine winners for each division. We recommend you wear a timing device if you wish to know your splits.

SWAG, PACKET PICK UP

All entrants will receive a race sweatshirt and swag bag. Runners that sign up after October 22nd are not guaranteed a t-shirt.

Packet pick up date and location TBA.

REGISTRATION DETAILS FOR TEAMS

All registrants will pay the same fee for racing individual or teams. When signing up as a team, you will assign a team captain. That team captain will register first and set up your team name. Each team member whether 2-4 members, will each register themselves and pay their fee. You will find the team name your captain assigned your group and register under that team. It will automatically group your team together once all registrations are completed. If you have any issues with this, please email us and we can help fix your team in any way you need.

Course Map and Navigation

Stayed tuned to our Facebook page for regular updates on this and the course map! On race day signs and arrow markers will direct runners along the course. to have clear directions on turns. During race day if you are injured on course and need help, alert the next runner behind to tell course directors if no phone on hand, or call our emergency line at 601-912-2431 or 601-520-2962

Make sure to follow our Facebook Page at Run the River Ultra Challenge and Relay to get updated information as it comes out! We will try to have a course preview a few weeks before the challenge.