By John Howell
The countdown has begun with 36 days remaining before the Batesville Springfest Racing for Paw 5K on May 16.
Already over 130 participants of all ages have registered to walk run or both in the eighth annual Racing for Paws that is expected to draw upwards of 300 this year.
Racing for Paws is the third event of the 2016 calendar that has rapidly expanded to offer year-round opportunities in Panola County for runners.
In January, the recently organized Batesville Runners held a “Souper Bowl 5K” at Cypress Point on Sardis Lake with over 60 runners participating.
Last weekend, over 100 runners and walkers paced the streets of Sardis under sunshine and a brisk breeze for the Sardis Aprilfest 5K.
Following next month’s Sprinfest Racing for Paws will be the 26th annual Dragonfly Triathlon at Sardis Dam.
The triathlon offers a .5 mile swim, an 18-mile bike ride and a four-mile run. Already 37 triathletes have signed up for the challenging race, according to racesonline.com.
The Batesville Rotary Club has set its 2015 Gateway to the Delta 10-Miler and 5K for Saturday, November 7, Rotary spokesman Stephan Whatley said.
Last year’s Gateway to the Delta attracted a combined total of 350 participants with most registering for the 10-mile race.
Both the Dragonfly Triathlon and  the Gateway to the Delta are racesonline.com “spotlight” races.
The Batesville Jr. Auxiliary will announce later this year the date for its third annual Jingle Bell Rock and Run 5K
Like the Racing for Paws event in May, the Jingle Bell Rock and Run takes advantage of flat courses through Batesville neighborhoods, but the December 5K differs in that the evening run offers its course along holiday-lit streets and festive decorations.