Vicksburg Catholic School is hosting the first ever Spooky Sprint 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run beginning at 8 a.m. Oct. 31 in historic downtown Vicksburg. The race will begin and end at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, which housed the former St. Francis Xavier Academy. The race will include a 5K run and walk as well as a one-mile fun run. A carnival for children will be after with games, music and food. Awards will be given out in every age category.

Raffle tickets for a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sport are being sold between now and race time and the drawing will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the conclusion of the race.

Tickets can be purchased at the St. Francis Xavier school office, Blackburn Chrysler Jeep Dodge, or from any VCS Family for $25 each or 5 for $100. The Spooky Sprint and Jeep raffle will replace the previous school fundraisers of the magazine renewal drive and annual pecan sale.

“This will be a great community event for Vicksburg. It will be a fun day for families and friends to enjoy our beautiful downtown and celebrate more than 155 years of Catholic education in Vicksburg,” said Ann Roberson, director of development and alumni affairs at Vicksburg Catholic School, and coordinator of the event. “The event is open to everyone and will be promoted state-wide through the Mississippi Track Club Calendar and SISU Timing Co.”

The platinum sponsor for the Spooky Sprint is Medical Associates of Vicksburg. For sponsorship opportunities, please visit: Spookysprint5k.webconnex.com/sponsor, or call Ann Roberson at 601-630-9762.

The online registration can be reached by visiting Spookysprint5k.webconnex.com/registration or mail-in registrations are available by downloading the form from Vicksburgcatholic.org/pages or visiting the St. Francis office.

Early registration runs through Sept. 1 and is $25 for the 5K, and $15 for the 1 mile Fun Run.

After Sept. 1, 5K registration will be $35 and $20 for the 1 mile fun run. T-shirts are guaranteed for all racers registered by Oct. 14.

“We also want to include as many alumni and family as we can, so we have added a virtual 5K to the registration,” said Roberson. Those that are interested but cannot be here on race day can sign up for $25 to run or walk a 5K on their own, and they will receive a t-shirt in the mail for participating.