DALTON, Ga. — Runners from around Dalton, across Georgia and from all over the country will take to the roads in the north end of Whitfield County on Saturday for the 29th annual Carpet Capital 10-Miler.

The event, put on by the Carpet Capital Running Club, is recognized by the Road Runners Club of America as the Georgia state championship race.

Registration is open online for the race at http://cc10m.com. Race day registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race takes off at 9 a.m. from Varnell Elementary School. The cost is $40 to run the 10-mile race. A two-mile race is also offered at a cost of $20.

Rick Little is a co-director of the race and has been involved with it for many years.

“I go back to the mid-’80s with the race. Originally it was put on by the BASF Corp., they were the primary sponsor. We had prize money and brought in top-notch runners for the race from around the country,” Little said. “This is the 29th year we’ve done the race. Over time, BASF did not have as big a presence in Dalton as in the past and the running club took the race over and has been continuous over that time. We’re trying to build the race back up this year. We had a change with the director, three of us took that on and wanted to continue the race. It’s also been a part of the Run and See Georgia Grand Prix series.”

Ricky Harrison and Janice Wycherley are the other co-directors.

“Runners are coming in from as far as Wisconsin and Illinois. There are more out-of-town runners than local runners,” Little said. “It’s a transition year for us. The race had gone down as far as participation the last several years. We got a later start on it this year but are working to build it back up. We’re offering finishing medals this year for the first time. Back in the day we gave out running gloves to all racers and we’re starting that back up this year.

“It’s a quality race, and it goes without saying, this is the 29th consecutive year doing this event so it has a good reputation around the state and the Southeast as a big event. All of us involved with putting the race on, we’ve done races for years. We’ve upgraded how we timed and managed the race.”

The race course is a USA Track & Field certified course that Little describes as having “rolling to moderate hills along the course that runs through the north part of the county.”

The 10-mile race begins out of Varnell Elementary School and goes along Highway 2 to Crow Road that passes in front of Coahulla Creek High School. The course continues along McGaughey Chapel Road, goes through a loop, then back on to McGaughey Chapel and down to Old Prater’s Mill Road. The course re-connects back on Highway 2 and finishes back at Varnell Elementary.

Little said some history may happen this weekend.

“We were contacted by a family from down around Atlanta that has two young children under the age of 10,” Little said. “They’re coming up here for the race with the intent of setting the world record for their particular ages.”

Even if the young runners don’t get a world record, they could get one of several race prizes. Awards for the 10-mile race will be given to overall, masters and grand masters winners. They will also be given to the top three male and female runners in 13 age groups. For the two-mile race, awards will be given to the top male and female overall winners, and the top 10 male and female finishers.

For more information on the race, contact Little at (706) 537-3314 or email rjharrison1968@gmail.com or jwych@optilink.us.