BY ALAINA VALKOFF
amvalkof@go.olemiss.edu

The Double Decker Spring Run will take place Saturday to benefit the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.

Pam Swain, vice president of the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, said they started this race the same year as the Double Decker festival as a physical and healthy lifestyle challenge.

“We wanted to add another element to draw participants,” Swain said. “We have a 5k starting at 7:45 a.m. and 10k run starting at 7:30 a.m., as well as a one-mile kids’ fun run beginning at 9 a.m.

Because of this, we have a lot of participants from all age groups.”

While many people participate in the run to promote healthy lifestyle choices, others are simply looking for a way to spruce up the festival.

Daniel Shaffer, race director for the Start2Finish event management company, said that the Double Decker run is an important extension of the Double Decker festival because it allows families to wake up, get a run in, grab something to eat and enjoy the weather.

“(The run has) an absolutely beautiful course right when everything is starting to bloom for spring and summer,” Swain said. “It’s a great time to get out when things are warming up and (is a) great opportunity to be a part of something that runs through the most beautiful town in Mississippi, or even in the South.”

Registration for the run is open until 7:15 a.m. on the day of the race. The 10k run begins at Mid-Town Shopping Center at 7:30 a.m. and ends on North Lamar. The 5k run begins at 7:45 a.m. and also starts and finishes on North Lamar.