Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich will be firing the starting gun to launch his first Mayor’s Cup Run on Saturday, an event that is expected to attract about 300 runners to downtown Biloxi for its 32nd annual presentation.
“It’s one of our larger races,” says longtime Gulf Coast Running Club director Leonard Vergunst, who oversees more than two dozen races a year. “People know it’s always the second week in November, and they plan for it. Plus, we’re expecting it to be a little cooler, with the temperatures in the 40s, which is perfect for running.”
Spectators also are welcome to view the event from the steps of City Hall, where the race begins and ends. The day begins with a one-mile run at 9 a.m., and the 5K at 9:30 a.m.
Vergunst also expects to see a number of high school runners in the 5K. “A lot of high school kids have been running every weekend throughout the fall,” he said, “and their cross-country season is just ended, I’m expecting a large turnout.”
In addition to the 5K, the Mayor’s Cup also has a one-mile run or walk. Said Vergunst: “Generally the one-mile race is for children, but we encourage adults to participate as well. They can pay one fee and participate in both races, and run for state age awards.”
Incidentally, the Mayor’s Cup is not the only outdoor event in downtown Biloxi Saturday. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s takes place Saturday on the Town Green, with registration at at 9 a.m. and opening ceremony at 9:45 a.m. The three-mile walk will begin at 10 a.m.
See Mayor’s Cup registration and route info
See info on Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Mickey Bradley dinner at the Gruich Center
Hundreds of Biloxians will be on hand this evening at the Dr. Frank G. Gruich Sr. Community Center to honor Mickey Bradley during the Biloxi Bay Chamber’s “Biloxian Made Good” honoree.
The sold-out affairs begins at 6 p.m. at the Howard Avenue center. (A Bmail earlier today mistakenly said the dinner would be at the IP Casino Resort Spa.)
Bradley is a PGA Tour rules authority who has officiated at nine Masters, the British Open, the U.S Open and other top tournaments. He retired two years ago after 25 years on the Tour, but the PGA persuaded him to continue as an independent contractor and consultant.
He was inducted the Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Gulf States Section Hall of Fame in 2014, and this evening as part of the presentations, Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich will declared today “Mickey Bradley Day” in Biloxi.
Mickey and the gator He’s dealt with a Tiger, a Great White Shark, a Golden Bear, and even a Walrus, but a three-legged gator at the 2013 Zurich Classic in New Orleans had Mickey Bradley backing up.
See Mickey vs. Tripod
