Double Decker Spring Run 5k, 10k Registration Is Open

The Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce staff at Double Decker Spring Run 2015. Left to right is Rosie Vassallo, Allen Kurr, Pam Swain, Jon Maynard, and Julia Blackmon.

The 21^st annual Double Decker Spring Run 5k/10k will be held be on Saturday, April 23 for runners, walkers, parents and children.

“We encourage this to be fun for the whole family,” said Senior Vice President of Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, Pam Swain, who is in charge of the race each year. “It is truly a community event, and 55 percent of our racers come from right here in Lafayette County.  We love being a part of something that incorporates such a diverse part of our community.”

The 5k and 10k routes begin and end at the Oxford YMCA on 703 N. Lamar. Both routes go through the Square and campus. The specific times are as follows:

• 10k Run/Walk starts at 7:30 a.m.
• 5k Run/Walk starts at 7:45 a.m.
• Kids Fun Run 9 a.m.

“Our race has grown from just under 100 participants in our first year 21 years ago, to 1,352 last year and an expected 1,500 racers this year,” Swain said. “Last year our race participants represented 26 different states across the county and 47 of the 82 counties in the state of Mississippi.”

The race is hosted by Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce each year and is part of the 2016 Oxford Grand Prix race series. The race is a fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce, allowing them to continue to grow the organizations for members and the business community. The race is sponsored by Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi.

“When Double Decker [Arts Festival] began we felt like starting the day off with a healthy activity was a natural fit,” Swain said. “We promote health and wellness, and being the backbone behind Oxford’s largest race for 21 years shows our commitment to the health and well being of our community.”

The post race activity begins at 8:10 a.m. and includes music, food and drinks. All race results will be posted on monitors for participants to immediately view the results. The awards ceremony begins at 9:15 a.m.

“From the serious racers to friends that just like to walk together, and even the active kids who want to burn some energy before going into the festival, there is something for everyone,” Swain said.

Online registration for the race ends at midnight on April 21. Packet pickup and pre-race registration runs from April 21-22 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Oxford Activity Center. For more information and to register for the race visit doubledeckerspringrun.com.

Hannah Pickett is a intern for HottyToddy.com. She is a current student at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at Ole Miss. Hannah can be reached at hannah.pickett@me.com.