Earlier Start, Community Spirit, Greater Numbers Boost Popularity of Coach Hap Hudson 5K Run/Walk

Early in the morning of MC's Homecoming, Coach Hap Hudson will fire the starter's pistol, sending dozens of runners and walkers on their way through the brick streets of Clinton.

Throughout her service as race director for the Coach “Hap” Hudson 5K Run/Walk, one of the most highly anticipated events of Mississippi College’s Homecoming, Suzanne McDonough has thrived on the energy and excitement that Department of Kinesiology faculty and students, MC alumni and volunteers, and community partners bring to the contest each fall.

After 16 years, the professor of Kinesiology doesn’t plan to end her term anytime soon.

“We have so many family members and businesses associated with our student body that continue to give and attend our race each year,” McDonough said. “The Hap Hudson race has been a beloved event for the alumni, students, and the community. It is a great way to start the weekend.

“It gets everyone going, and we have a wonderful breakfast and mid-morning post-run snack to start the day for our participants and volunteers.”

The Kinesiology Department will continue to host the annual event, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. When Coach Hudson fires the starter’s pistol, participants will make their way from Cockroft Hall through the historic brick streets of downtown Clinton and surrounding neighborhoods before winding up on the Dr. James E. Parkman Track at Robinson-Hale Stadium. The top three men and women finishers will receive gift certificates.

Attendance at the race has grown so much that the starting time has been pushed back a half-hour to relieve parking and traffic congestion for the day’s remaining Homecoming activities. Increasing participation is a tribute to Coach Joel “Hap” Hudson, the legendary athletic trainer, coach, and member of the MC Athletics Hall of Fame who has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Kinesiology Department.

“The students have a blast being the main sponsor of this race,” McDonough said. “Many of them have had Coach Hudson’s athletic training class or know him or his family. His grandson, Grant, was a member of the MC soccer team and was one of the youngest participants we have had, making his first appearance in the race when he was only 6 years old.

“The Kinesiology Student Association serves as the main volunteers for the race-day registration tables, and the exercise physiology class is responsible for the directional arrows on the course. We have never had a person get lost on our course!”

Anyone is eligible to enter the race, which awards trophies for top finishers in age groups ranging from 9 and younger to 65 and older.

“What I most enjoy is the group effort we have with this event,” she said. “The anchor sponsors – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi, Entergy, C Spire, Jackson Pulmonary, and BJ Rodgers – have sponsored us from the beginning. The MC Athletic Department continues to support us by allowing us to finish the race on the football field track on the busiest day of the football season. The coaches of many of our teams give us ample swag to give away as door prizes and different teams have spots on the race course that they personally oversee on race day.”

Members of the Clinton Police Department and MC’s Campus Security also get into the act, leading the race and providing a trail vehicle to make sure all participants cross the finish line safely.

“The soccer team cheers on Mile One, the football team directs traffic at Maude Edith, and the baseball team helps at the most hectic intersection beside the tennis courts,” McDonough said. “Truly, our volunteers are a dream team!”

The “behind-the-scenes” work doesn’t end there. McDonough’s coworkers help distribute food and coffee and handle timing and race result announcements on race day. Mrs. Carol Garrett, the department’s office administrator offers critical organization and management of sponsors and registration.  MC’s Campus Dining provides water and snacks for volunteers and participants, as well as Chick-fil-A.  Woody Barnett, a former standout track athlete at MC and owner of Pirate Timing provides expert race timing and results.

“Each year, I think we won’t have a group of students or volunteers as wonderful as this year,” McDonough said. “And I am thankful to report we get better every year.”

Participants should arrive by 7 a.m. The race costs a minimum of $15, and proceeds go to student travel to regional and national conferences and a scholarship at Mississippi College established by Hudson and his wife, Johnnie Ruth. Registration is required.

To register for the Hap Hudson 5K, click here, or for more information, email McDonough at smcdonou@mc.edu.