Despite an unnaturally warm season, the eighth annual Chill in the Hills is set for Jan. 16, 2016, and this year, race organizers are asking for additional crowd participation.

Race committee member Lisa Martin said they’re trying something new this year, allowing those who live along the downtown route to purchase signs marking the route.

“It’s kind of a complex route, so it’s nice to have it marked, so you can know where you’re running,” she said. “We’re going to distribute these signs that are size of a political sign, and for $10 the race committee will come put it in your yard.”

The race committee will put the signs up the Sunday of race week and take them down after the race. All proceeds from this part of the fundraiser as well as the actual race will be donated to Grace Christian Counseling.

“This is a race that goes through the neighborhoods in Vicksburg, so what we’d like for the neighborhoods to do is to really get out and cheer the runners on,” she said. “We really want to stress that we want people to be out their in their front yards. Have your coffee, have your bloody Mary, and get out there and cheer the race participants on.”

The race goes through Glenwood Circle, down Drummond Street, Cherry Street and First East Street. Martin said that will provide many with opportunities to cheer on the runners. Race director Walter Frazier said those who are interested in a 5K race but still want to participate have an opportunity to do so due to the relay option.

“Runners can sign up as a relay team, with each runner running half of the 10K route,” he said. “We’ll have a transition place where they can hand off from one to the other.”

Frazier said the committee is working hard to increase the atmosphere at the post-race party, and there will be a band at this year’s event.

“Our dream would be to create kind of a festival environment,” he said. “Given that it’s Martin Luther King weekend and that afternoon there’s a parade, there’s opportunity to make this a big event.”

Frazier said the traditional handcrafted chili bowl awards will be given out after the race.

The race will begin at 8:30 a.m., and it includes a 10K race, 5K walk, 1-mile fun run for children. The race begins and ends on Belmont Street near the entrance of Martin’s at Midtown.

To register online, visit www.active.com and search Chill in the Hills. Registration is $30.

The race is a part of the Vicksburg competitive race circuit, Vicksburg SLAM!.

For more information or to volunteer to help with the race, contact Grace Christian Counseling Center by calling 601-636-5703.