NATCHEZ &045; When runners take to the streets of downtown Natchez on Saturday morning, they will be following a tradition that is a quarter of a century old.

The River City Classic 10K was born in 1979 by Wade Craig, owner of Sports Center. A few years later, Potter Garcia Management Group took it over, and Wayne Garcia and his business partner Sara Garcia have been running it &045; literally &045; in the 17 years since.

Early on, Taco Bell, owned by running enthusiasts David Paradise and Paul Byrne, came on board as corporate sponsor.

&uot;It’s just a good community event,&uot; Potter said. &uot;It’s totally non-profit.&uot;

Any profit collected, beyond what it takes to organize the race, is donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Potter said.

The race is directed by the Mississippi Track Club, which has helped get the word outside Natchez.

&uot;(The race) grew for many years,&uot; Potter said. &uot;We got on what they call the ‘grand prix’ circuit, which is a group of a dozen races put on by the Mississippi Track Club.&uot;

That exposure helped the race grow, although participation has leveled off in the past couple of years, Potter said.

While the sport attracts new participants each year, Potter said many people have continued to participate year after year.

In 1990, the event added a 5K walk to its list of activities. There is also a 1-mile fun run for children; all proceeds go directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

One thing that has helped attract new runners to the race &045; including runners from out of town &045; is a $250 cash prize to the person who can break the course record.

&uot;The past couple of years the male 10K winner has come just to break the course record,&uot; Potter said.

Yousri Elmejdoubl of Meridian won in 2001 and 2002. He came just short of beating the record the first time, but he set the record last year with a time of 30:55.

Dave McGovern of Mobile, Ala., a racewalker who won several years in a row, also came to try to break the record in the 5K.

But along with those who travel just to compete, there are also a number of Miss-Lou residents who run every year &045; win or lose.

Charlie Brown, Adams County administrator, has participated in the race for about 20 years. While he won’t be winding his way through the streets of downtown this year &045; &uot;I’m not in shape,&uot; he said &045; he does think the race is a great thing for runners &045; and for Natchez.

&uot;It’s wonderful,&uot; he said. &uot;We get a lot of outstanding out-of-town runners, and they get to see Natchez.&uot;