RUSSELL, Ky. — Runners whose ages span eight decades are set to participate in the 37th annual Run By The River on Saturday.

When the starting gun sounds at 8:30 a.m. In front of the Russell Fire Station, runners from the three surrounding states and California will fill the streets of Russell and Worthington in Kentucky’s oldest continually operating road races.

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of East Greenup County, nearly 100 runners whose ages range from 10 to 81 have pre-registered for the races and an equal number are expected to register the morning of the race.

Run By The River features both 5K and 10K competitive road races, along with special competition for groups, wheelchairs, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, and moms and dads pushing their babies in strollers.

There are also non-competitive categories for walkers.

“Runners consider our race to be one of the best running events in the tri-state. We have a beautiful course along the Ohio River that is flat and fast and runners get a top quality tech shirt in their goody bag,” Gearhart said.

Trophies are awarded to the top finishers, both male and female, on both the 5K and 10K races, and to the winners and runners-up in the various group categories.

Medals are given to the top three runners in each of 16 age groups, starting at 9 a.m. and under and running to 80 and over.

Medals are also given to all participants eight and under. Walkers will get times, but no awards.

On race day, registration tables open at 7 a.m. In the parking lot next to LifeSong Church (the old Russell Central School building). The entry fee is $20 for those 14 and under and $25 for all others.

The race course starts by the fire station and ends at LifeSong’s parking lot, and and travels along Riverside Drive underneath the Ironton-Russell Bridge, then along the River Road through Worthington and back. A turnaround point is on the River Road for 5K runners.

Russell and Worthington police are in charge of traffic control and the Greenup County Emergency Medical Service will be on stand-by.

“Support for this year’s race has been tremendous,” Gearhart said, noting there are 24 sponsoring businesses, plus others who are providing race supplies.

Money raised by Run By The River is used for numerous Kiwanis civic projects, including sponsorship of Key Clubs at Russell and Raceland-Worthington High Schools, a Builders Club at Russell Middle School and Wurtland Middle School, a Terrific Kids program at Wurtland Elementary, distribution of food baskets at Thanksgiving, scholarships to Key Club seniors at the two high schools, Shop with a Cop, the summer reading program and an annual contribution to each of the county’s three school resource centers.