NATCHEZ — Victor Smith has been hard at work, both with his boxing program and his upcoming charity event.

Smith, a Natchez resident who formed the Boxing Anger Away Daily youth boxing club, is set to run July 13 from Fat Mama’s Tamales to Performance Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Ferriday. He is asking businesses to pledge $5 per mile to help raise money for the Natchez Children’s Home.

Not wanting to make people think he runs across the bridge daily, Smith said he’s preparing on some lesser-traveled roads in the Broadmoor community, where he lives.

“I’m trying to stay away from the more-traveled roads so I can surprise people,” Smith said. “I’m trying to find places that are on an incline, because the bridge will be an incline, and I feel like it will be my biggest challenge.

“I’m trying to simulate the bridge without having to run my actual route. I don’t want to get on the bridge without being prepared, and I don’t want people seeing me run the bridge all the time and thinking it’s something I usually do.”

In addition to running the bridge, Smith said the heat would be his biggest obstacle, but he’s already made arrangements to help him fight through the heat.

“It’s hot right now, and we’re talking about July,” Smith said with a chuckle. “I have to make sure I stay hydrated. The bridge will be one of the more physical challenges, but as far as me personally, the heat will be the biggest thing. I’m going to have vehicles following me with water and all of that.”

When he’s not training to prepare for the run, Smith said he’s coaching seven people in his boxing program. He also said he would like to do a boxing exhibit at either the Natchez Convention Center or Natchez community center sometime in the future.

For more information, or to donate, Smith can be contacted at 601-334-5066.