The 31st annual Run for the Roses 5K walk/run will be held Saturday, April 12th in Prentiss.

The Run for the Roses 5K event is one of Mississippi’s premier road races produced by the Jefferson Davis County Chamber Partnership 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.

The 5-K Run/Walk will begin at 8:00 a.m. The 1-Mile walk/run will begin shortly after finish of the 5-K (approximately 8:30 a.m.) and the ¼-Mile preschool walk/run will begin as soon as the 1-Mile is finished (approximately 9:00 a.m.).

All participants are urged to arrive at least thirty minutes ahead of event start time in order to check in and pick up your T-shirts. You must register to enter the runs. Individuals and five member teams may compete in the 5K Run/Walk.

Awards will be given to the overall winner- male and female, top 3 finishers in each age group, top two finishers in each age group-regardless of sex. Ribbons will be given to finishers and an award will be presented to the school with the most participants. There will be a ¼ mile preschool run for children 6 years of age and under. There will also be an Oldest Participant award. Overall Winner – male and female will receive award and $100 cash. Masters Winner – male and female will receive awards and $50 cash. Best JDC Runner, male and female, will receive awards. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards will be given in each age division.

T-shirts with race logo will be presented to all preregistered participants. To honor a long time tradition roses will be given to all female 5K finishers and bouquets for Overall, Masters and Grandmasters female winners. All participants must be registered in the event to win an award.

There will be a $500 cash award given to the male and female who break the 5K course record of male 15:03 minutes and female 18:18 minutes.

The MS Track Club will time all run events and the best time wins each event. All participants are eligible to win multiple awards.

An Arts & Crafts Market will be on the Long Leaf Gateway Park grounds with a good variety of quality handmade crafts and food including pottery, hair bows, glass art, pine straw basket art, photography and many more creations by local artisans.  A variety of food booths will have cuisine to quench anyone’s hunger.

Skylar Laine of Brandon, MS will perform in the park after all runs have concluded. Laine was a contestant on the 11th season of the American Idol and finished in fifth place in the competition.

An Antique Car Show will be held at the Prentiss Farmer’s Market across main street from the Long Leaf Park. Car enthusiasts will get plenty of eye candy there and get to talk shop with the owners about their prized automobiles.

Come out to the Prentiss Gateway Park April 12th for the festivities. Enjoy good food while you enjoy quality music. 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 Tracy Waits at 601-792-2195.