A DRY RUN: RIVERFEST RUN RETURNS TO ITS OLD ROUTE TODAY

It's always wise to have plenty of water on hand at a running event.

But when 14th Annual Riverfest Run gets under way this evening at 7:30, race organizers will be happy less liquids will be on hand than last year, when flood waters forced a detour in the traditional route to Cape Rock Park.

"We're back to our traditional course, and the heat arrived right on queue," said race director Kevin Leathers.

While the Mississippi is above flood stage, it won't affect the 5.25-mile race, which begins at the corner of Main and Broadway, follows Main to Cape Rock Road to Cape Rock Park and returns along the same route.

Last year's route fittingly found its midway point at the water plant, where the runners reversed their field.

Today, heat will be more of a hindrance than water with temperatures predicted to top out around 90.

Two-hundred and fifty runners are already registered for the two events, the 5.25-mile run, and the One-Mile Fun Run. Leathers expects another 100 participants to enter in the 5:30-7 p.m. pre-race registration period.

Defending male champion Joe Dandridge is among those already registered. Dandridge, a former all-OVC runner at Southeast Missouri State University and current graduate assistant coach with the Indians, placed second in 1994 before winning by nearly a minute last year with a time of 28:12.

No word has been received from defending women's champion Amy Roll of Evansville, Ind. Jacqueline Toy of Cape Girardeau finished runnerup the last two years, but is expected to miss today's race due to injury.

"I think it will be a very competitive field," said Leathers. "I think the age groups will be very competitive. Some of the top runners from Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois will be here."

Leathers said the River To River Runners Club from Carbondale, Ill., enrolled the Riverfest Run on its grand-slam circuit, which should increase the attendance from that region. Runners from the club will be attempting to pick up points on their circuit competition.

The male and female overall winner for the 5.25 mile race will receive $100 savings bonds. Runnerups will be awarded $75 bonds and third will take home $50. Masters division winners will receive $75.

Age brackets from the race will range from 5-and-under to 60-and-over.

"There will be competitive runners to people that this is the one event they do every year," said Leathers. "It's become a family tradition."

Race day registration is $12.

An awards presentation will be held at 9 p.m. on the Boatmen's Bank parking lot.

Kohlfeld Distributing, Boatmen's Banks and Primestar are sponsoring the event. The Cape Girardeau Road Runners Club is hosting the event.