Gateway to the Delta draws dedicated runners for 10-miler

By John Howell
Batesville residents are encouraged to turn out to cheer runners through Saturday’s Batesville Rotary Gateway to the Delta 10-Miler and 5K races as they wind through city streets.
The 10-miler begins near the Square at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K race at 8:30 p.m. Both courses initially follow Highway 35 North with 10-milers following the highway almost to I-55 before turning south through the W. M. Harmon Industrial Complex and Lakewood before winding their way back to the finish line at the Square.
5K runners will follow a shorter route within the 10-mile course. Cool temperatures and sunny skies are forecast.
This year the number of 10-miler entrants has been limited to 300, Rotary spokesman Stephen Whatley said. At mid-week over 300 runners had entered the combined fields, and are expected to exceed the number of last year’s runners.
Runners may register and pick up race packets from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Batesville courthouse lobby.
Registration and packet pick-up will continue at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at the downtown gazebo until 7:45 a.m. when registration closes.
Post race activities are expected to begin at 8:50 a.m. with the 5K awards ceremony at 9:45 and the 10-mile awards ceremony starting around 10 a.m. The course closes at 10:30. a.m.
See map and route description, page A2.