NATCHEZ &045; Kay Ketchings knew her cup would run over when Natchez Community Hospital assumed sponsorship of the 26th annual River City Classic.

However, the hospital’s director of marketing, who is serving her first tour of duty as the race’s director, was got offguard by the buzz preregistration has created.

At Ketchings’ last count, the 120 runners for the 10-K, 55 walkers for the 5-K and 175 which will participate in the 1-mile run, extends well beyond the total that competed in the events last year.

&uot;We’ve already pre-registered more runners than participated last year. I’m kind of nervous. What have I created?&uot; Ketchings joked. &uot;We’re really excited about it.&uot;

Those still yet to enter any of the three events can do so at 7:30 a.m. today near the start/finish line at the corner of Main Street and Broadway.

As opposed to last year’s rain-mired edition, forecasts should stay sunny and moderately warm as the competitors get on their way at 9 a.m.

&uot;If it’s anything like today, it’ll be perfect,&uot; Ketchings said.

Both the 10-K and 5-K will take off simultaneously, with the 1-mile run to follow. Neither of last year’s overall winners, Alan Gerstle and Amy Simonetta &045; who set a course record by three seconds despite the rain &045; are confirmed.

With the same holding true for Meridian’s Yousri Elemejdoubl, the men’s repeat winner in 2001 and 2002, whose 2002’s time of 30:55 still stands as the event’s top mark.

Despite those noticeable absences, the race will still feature some of Louisiana and Mississippi’s top runners, as it kicks of the Mississippi Track Club’s Grand Prix circuit.

&uot;You have to participated to gain points,&uot; Ketchings said. &uot;We’re getting runners all over Mississippi and Louisiana. This one of only a few 10-K events the (Mississippi) Track Club sponsors.&uot;

Between 60 and 70 volunteers, marked in black long-sleeved T-shirts, will be stationed throughout the course, which weaves the competitors through downtown Natchez, by antebellum estates and townhouses and back to the finish line at the foot of Main Street.

While the scenic route is sure to be breathtaking to visitors, Ketchings said one reason the race has grown so much in popularity concerns the folks behind the scenes.

&uot;The Mississippi Track Club will tell you that runners come back for a course that is well-marked, good traffic control and organization,&uot; said Ketchings, who took over the reins from Wayne Potter and Sarah Garcia. &uot;There’s a lot of chances for winners, which is one of the more popular thing.&uot;

Along with volunteers, a pair of water stations will be along the course for the 10-K and one for the 5-K.

Natchez police will be on the scene for traffic control.

Natchez Community plans to donate $500 to the physical education program of the area school that gets the most 12-and-under runners signed up for the 1-mile run.

Through Friday, that was McLaurin Elementary.

&uot;I think that may be one of the areas that gets overlooked,&uot; Ketchings said. &uot;They’ve got between 75 and 100 kids alone from McLaurin signed up.&uot;