[9/06/01]As the calendar turns to September, there is another Vicksburg tradition that appears just as surely as high school football a large turnout for the Over the River Run, the Saturday morning jaunt over the old Mississippi River bridge.

Organizers are expecting nearly 1,000 in this year’s race, its 14th edition, which begins at 8 a.m.

Susan Ulery, marketing coordinator for sponsor River Region, said a record number of team registrations have helped push this year’s number of pre-registered racers to well over 600.

Ulery said 29 teams have registered for the 5K run and walk a total of 140 people up from 24 teams last year. One team and “between 30 and 40” people have registered this week, she said.

“We’re expecting at least 1,000,” Ulery said. “We have a lot more corporate teams than last year, so that should bring the number up.”

Individual racers can continue to register through Friday by calling Ulery at 631-2712. Raceday registration begins at 7 a.m. in the upper Ameristar parking lot, but the registration fee jumps from $15 to $20.

Pre-registered racers can pick up their race packets in advance at The Athlete’s Foot in Pemberton Square Mall until 9 p.m. Friday, or at check-in Saturday morning.

All proceeds from the race will benefit local charities, Ulery said. Haven House, Children’s Shelter and Area 10 Special Olympics are this year’s beneficiaries.