Some of the 381 10K runners participating in the 23rd annual Run Thru History are shoulder to shoulder in the first stretch of the race through the Vicksburg National Military Park Saturday.(The Vicksburg Post/C TODD MORGAN)

[03/03/02]At 9 a.m. Saturday, Vincent Bonelli had his drink and a bag of popcorn. He stood on the Battlefield Inn parking lot, watching friends and family complete the 23rd annual Run Thru History.

The 87-year-old watched them throughout the morning he had three daughters, two nieces, and his wife, Dorothy Bonelli, in the race.

“I’ve been doing this for some years,” he said.

His wife has, too. But six months ago, a fall left Dorothy Bonelli, 82, with fractures in her back and ribs. At first, she couldn’t walk at all.

“After all her injuries, we’re glad she’s here,” said her daughter, Carol Bonelli of Vicksburg, a physical therapist After the accident, Carol Bonelli said, she would take her mother out to walk “a few feet at a time.”

Dorothy Bonelli made a remarkable comeback, and her family said they were glad to have her walk the race with them. “She was a little slower this year,” Carol Bonelli said. “But she finished.”

“She’s a pretty lady, too,” Vincent Bonelli said of his wife of more than 50 years.

Dorothy Bonelli said she felt “wonderful” after her walk. “I’m glad to be able to make it,” she said.

Dorothy Bonelli said that over the years, the Run Thru History has become a family tradition.

“It definitely was not the money,” said Kelly Guider Finch, who came from Casper, Wyo., to participate. “A great family brought me here.” Finch flies back to Wyoming Monday.

She said her sister, Gail Guider Boland, heard Finch was walking and drove from Tupelo Saturday morning to participate.

After the race, the family joined the rest of the participants, eating food and listening to local band The Chill play live music.

“I’m all built up to have a good time the rest of the day,” Vincent Bonelli said.

Kristin Baylot, 15, brought friend Miyuki Nakagawa, 17, to the race. Nakagawa is an exchange student from Shiga, Japan.

“My dad ran it for 23 years,” Baylot said. Nakagawa said she came “for exercise.”

“We had a great turnout,” said Mack Varner, race director. “I was out there, busting my guts.”

Joseph Curro, four-time winner of the 10K run, said this year’s competition was outstanding. “These guys could run anywhere,” Curro said.

Curro finished second this year.

“The competition at the high level was outstanding,” Varner said.

Race officials said the turnout was good, and they credited the unexpected dryness. “There were more than we expected,” said Hays Latham, “because it wasn’t raining when they woke up.”

“The temperature was delightful,” Finch said.

Early-morning drizzle dried off, and the overcast sky kept temperatures in the 40s as 800 runners and walkers completed the Run Thru History.

Roughly 1,100 had registered.

“The people who didn’t come missed a great morning,” said Tricia Guider Sadler, a sister to Finch and Boland and a niece of Dorothy Bonelli.

Mike Warwick and family were not going to let weather deter them they drove from Marshall, Texas, to participate.

“It was real good,” said Warwick who has come to the Run Thru History for seven years.

Warwick’s 14-year-old son, Michael, and 8-year-old daughter, Amanda, participated in the children’s one-mile fun run.

When asked how the race went, Michael Warwick shrugged. “He’s a golfer, trying to get his legs in shape,” his father explained.

“Hays Latham said this was the hardest 10K in the area, and he’s right,” Mike Warwick said.

Mike Warwick said his family would be in Vicksburg for the rest of the weekend.

“We’ll shop a little bit and eat out,” he said.

The Run Thru History began in 1980. It includes a 10K run, a 5K walk and a one-mile fun run for youth.