MC Hosts Hap Hudson Homecoming Race
A 5K race named for Mississippi College Hall of Fame Coach Hap Hudson is set for Homecoming Weekend on Saturday Oct. 25.
The route begins at Cockroft Hall, winds through historic downtown Clinton, continues through city neighborhoods and finishes at the Robinson-Hale Stadium track on the MC campus.
MC's Department of Kinesiology is sponsoring the race that begins at 8 a.m.
Naming the race in Hudson's honor is quite fitting. Hudson, who earned a bachelor's degree from MC in 1959 and master's at the university in 1964, is a longtime fitness advocate. He's served his alma mater as assistant football coach, head athletic trainer and as a kinesiology instructor. With about 300 majors, the MC department is dedicated to training students to become leaders in the field of exercise, fitness, health and physical education.
Registration cost for the race is $5 prior to Oct. 25 and $20 for the day of the race. T-shirts will go to all who register by Oct. 15. Food and refreshments - from cookies to water to energy bars and fruit - will be available immediately after the run.
The winner gets the opportunity to eat lunch with the Mississippi College football team and serve as "honorary" coach as the Choctaws battle East Texas Baptist University at 6 p.m. that day.
Organizers say this is the first Hap Hudson Homecoming road race and hope to make it an annual event as thousands of alumni and parents return to the Baptist-affiliated school in Clinton.
Department Chairman Chris Washam recently ran the course and believes it will pose a few challenges. "It's got some hills in it. One of the nice things is it's shady," he said.
"It will be a great event. One of our main events is to increase awareness about physical activity," said the race director Suzanne McDonough, a kinesiology assistant professor.
Parents and others who don't want to run can walk. The race should take a little more than an hour.
A Clintonian in his 70s, Hudson is an avid golfer, and stays in terrific shape. He will be on hand to give out the awards.
For details, contact race director Suzanne McDonough at 601-925-7720 or 601-940-8186.
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