RUSSELL, Ky. — Runners from throughout the Tri-State will head to Russell this weekend for the 38th annual East Greenup Kiwanis Club Run By The River.

Pre-registrations were nearing the 100 mark late last week, according to race director Tim Gearhart, with participants coming from as far away as Jackson, Ohio and Maysville, Ky. “So far we have runners representing 8 decades, with ages ranging from 16 to 82,” he said..

Run By The River is a 5K and 10K competitive race with divisions for men and women runners and walkers. It is considered Kentucky’s oldest continually operating road race. The races start at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Russell fire station.

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of East Greenup County, the run is expected to attract more than 200 to Russell.

Trophies are awarded to the winners and runnersup of both the mens and womens divisions in both the 5K and 10K races. Trophies are also awarded in several special competitions within the 5K race. The special events are among fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, parents who push strollers, wheelchair participants and among groups in civic and faith-based organizations.

There are also non-competitive categories for walkers.

“Runners consider our race to be one of the best running events in the tri-state,” Gearhart said.

“We have a beautiful course along the Ohio River that is flat and fast and runners get a top quality tech shirt for participating.”

Medals are awarded to the top 3 finishers in each of 16 age groups that start at 9 and under and end at 80 and over. “We are one of only a few races that recognize runners in the youngest age group and the older runners,” Gearhart said. In addition, all runners 9 and under receive a participation medal if they are not a winner in their age group. Walkers get times, but no awards.

Registration tables open at 7 a.m. in the parking lot next to LifeSong Church (the old Russell Central School building).. The entry fee is $20 for those 14 and under and $25 for all others.

The race course starts by the fire station and ends at LifeSong’s parking lot, and travels along Riverside Drive underneath the Ironton-Russell Bridge, then along the River Road through Worthington and back. A turnaround point is on the River Road for 5K runners.

Russell and Worthington police are in charge of traffic control and the Greenup County Emergency Medical Service will be on stand-by.

“Support for this year’s race has been tremendous,” Gearhart said, noting there are 24 sponsoring businesses, plus others who are providing race supplies.

Money raised by Run By The River is used for numerous Kiwanis civic projects, including sponsorship of Key Clubs at Russell and Raceland-Worthington High Schools, a Builders Club at Russell Middle School, distribution of food baskets at Thanksgiving, scholarships to Key Club seniors at the two high schools, Shop with a Cop, the summer reading program and an annual contribution to each of the county’s three school resource centers.