For the first time, an annual tradition will be held entirely inside Vicksburg’s most known park.

The 37th Annual Run Thru History will begin Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Vicksburg National Military Park. There will be a 10-kilometer run at 8 a.m., a 5K race walk at 8:05 a.m., and the Blue/Gray one-miler at 9:30 a.m. with all courses beginning and ending inside the park.

Previously, the final half-mile of the course traveled down the I-20 Frontage Road.

“You talk about great views, oh my gosh it’s beautiful,” race director Phillip Doiron said.

The course for the 10K run will wind through the north loop of the Park, while the 5K run will now be the three-mile loop south of Clay Street. Previously, both courses had covered the north loop.

“It’s going to bring a whole new view and experience for the walkers,” Doiron said.

The new routes were created because the awards ceremony has been relocated from its longtime home at Battlefield Inn to the Hampton Inn and Suites, across Clay Street from the Military Park’s entrance. To keep runners from crossing the busy road, in the name of both safety and traffic control, the new courses were established. All routes start and finish near the VNMP Visitor Center.

“The biggest change you are going to notice is that this year we are running what we call the extended north loop that will take us past the Illinois Monument,” Doiron said of the 10K.

Doiron said more than 600 racers have registered for the annual event, and the final number is expected to be between 800 and 900.

The weather is forecast to be sunny Saturday with a projected high of 71. He called it perfect running or walking weather that should help boost late registrations on race day.

Runners and walkers can register from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, or until 7:30 a.m. Saturday, at the Hampton Inn and Suites or in the VNMP parking lot. Those who have already registered can pick up their race packets at those times.

The entry fee for the 10K and 5K is $30. There is no charge for the 1-mile fun run, which is geared toward children and families.

The first 100 children to sign up for the one miler get a shirt and all will get a finisher medal.

“We expect a great crowd,” Doiron said.

The awards ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. outside the Hampton Inn with the band The Chill as entertainment. The Y’s Mens Club will serve their “world famous hot dogs” along with other refreshments after the race, Doiron said.

Money raised from the event goes to help fund a teen conference the YMCA is sending a few teenagers to this summer.