Although the trail has been groomed for the race and repaired from a matter involving a Jeep last month, rain expected tonightand Friday could make for a sloppy run, Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon said this morning.

The 8,000 meter race begins at the Lake Park off Oakwood Avenue Saturday at 8 a.m.

Lori Medlin, president and CEO of the Halifax Convention and Visitors Bureau said said close to 400 runners have registered for the race. “We've got volunteers all along the way and great awards. They look like medals from the Olympics.”

Medlin said the Hilton Garden Inn is the host hotel for the event. “They've sold the rooms they wanted to sell.”

The parks and recreation department, Medlin said, has been behind the bulk of the planning for the event. “We're so lucky to have our Parks and Recreation Department at the ready.”

Roanoke Rapids police and its Citizens on Patrol unit will control traffic on River Road and Roanoke Avenue where the runners will cross. The Roanoke Rapids Fire Department will serve as first responders.

Friends of the Canal will receive $1,500 from race proceeds, and the city will receive the same amount for upkeep of the trail. “It's mostly grading and improving the surface to the trail.”

KapStone helped the city with trail repairs from the Jeep damages, reworking top layers of the trail and assisting with grading work. “The city really appreciates the community involvement from KapStone. They assisted us in a timely manner to have it repaired for the race,” Simeon said.

With the recent spate of winter weather, including snow earlier this week, and the prediction of two days of rain, the trail is expected to be soggy, Simeon said. “Some runners enjoy the challenge of a muddy course.”