16TH ANNUAL RIVERFEST RUN TONIGHT

Whether or not to run in tonight's 16th Annual Kohlfeld Riverfest Run, appears to be a question of the weather.

"We have close to 200 entries, but we hope to have 300 by the time the race starts," said race organizer Joy Gilbert. "I think a lot of people are waiting to see what the weather will do."

Considering the unpredictable weather history of the event in recent years, enrolling late doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

Last year, heavy rains toward the end of the race left several slower runners drenched by the time they completed the 5.25-mile course. Before last year's race, sizzling temperatures had the competitors soaked in their own perspiration.

The unstable weather of this area certainly seems to have something to do with the shrinking event field. Two years ago, 347 runners competed. Last year, that number dropped to a little over 250.

So what will the weather hold for this year's event?

"We want a nice day and we think the rain will blow through," Gilbert said. "I don't even think we're going to get (rain tonight), I think we'll get it all (Thursday), but I'm not your weather man."

Tonight's competitive race starts at 7:30, with non-competitive walkers starting early at 7 p.m. Gilbert said a lot of families run in the event and then enjoy the rest of the Riverfest attractions.

Over 100 trophies will be awarded in several age groups for both men and women. All contestants receive a T-shirt and everyone that completes the course gets a commemorative ribbon.

Eight U.S. Savings Bonds, totaling $550, will be awarded to the top three men and women finishers in the 5.25-mile race. The top time for the male and female over 40-years-old will also win a savings bond.

Last year's winners Joe Dandridge and Amy Giblin are currently not registered to race, leaving the racing field wide open for a new winner to emerge.

"We don't have many entries I recognize, but we have some really competitive runners," Gilbert said. "Mike Manning from Poplar Bluff runs a 15-minute, 5 (kilometers) so he could very well be the front runner."

The 5.25-mile event begins and ends at the intersection of Broadway and N. Main in downtown Cape Girardeau. The runners will travel N. Main to Cape Rock Road and reverse their course at Cape Rock Park. Motorists should take note that N. Main will be closed for approximately 45 minutes during the race.

Put on by Cape Road Runners Club, the Riverfest Run has become the largest road run in Southeast Missouri.