Cat Reman Challenge 5K in Corinth Goes Virtual for Isaias

The Cat Reman Challenge 5K scheduled for Saturday morning in Corinth will not be held in person. Caterpillar’s Corinth remanufacturing operation announced that it is switching the race to a virtual event because of the wind and heavy rain Hurricane Isaias is expected to bring to Northeast Mississippi on Saturday.

“Due to the forecasted weather related to Hurricane Isaias, we have made the difficult decision to transition this Saturday’s Cat Reman Challenge 5K to a virtual event,” the company said on its We Are Caterpillar Mississippi Facebook page.

How the virtual Cat Reman Challenge 5K works

The in-person race had been planned for 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, starting and ending at Caterpillar’s Cardinal Drive facility in Corinth, followed by a kids’ one-mile fun run. Now runners and walkers can complete the 5K on their own time and route. According to Caterpillar’s announcement:

• Participants may complete their virtual 5K by Oct. 24
• Registered runners will be contacted by email about picking up shirts and medals and how to submit their times
• Prizes will still be awarded to the overall winner and in age-group categories based on submitted times
• Door prizes will be drawn from everyone who submits a time

Caterpillar is also asking participants to share photos of their finished runs in the comments on its Facebook post so the community can celebrate together.

Registration still open

It’s not too late to join. Registration remains open, and the race’s RunSignUp page lists the virtual 5K at $25, with online sign-up closing Oct. 17 at 11:59 p.m. The page says the in-person option has been “Transitioned to Virtual,” so new and existing registrants should use the virtual sign-up.

Proceeds benefit United Way

The race is organized by Cat Reman Mississippi’s ACTivate MS employee resource group, with all proceeds going to the United Way of Corinth & Alcorn County. The United Way supports a network of local partner agencies that serve families across the county.

In its own Facebook post Friday, the United Way said it was disappointed not to gather in person for the race, but thanked Caterpillar for keeping participants safe by moving it online.

The change comes just days after the United Way’s annual golf tournament, which raised more than $30,000 for the organization earlier this month.

Weekend weather

The National Weather Service has Alcorn, Prentiss and Tishomingo counties under a Flood Watch from 1 a.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday and a Wind Advisory from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, with 1 to 2.5 inches of rain and gusts up to 45 mph possible. Other outdoor event organizers across the area may also adjust plans, so check with them before heading out Saturday.

Related: Wind Advisory for Alcorn County as Isaias Moves In and Flood Watch Issued for Alcorn, Prentiss, Tishomingo Counties.

Source: We Are Caterpillar Mississippi (Facebook)