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Hap Hudson will shoot the starter gun and greet scores of friends at the Mississippi College race named in his honor.
A 1959 MC alumnus, Hudson remains a beloved figure in MC Choctaws Country. The 9th annual Hap Hudson Homecoming 5K Run/Walk on October 15 is a fitting salute to the beloved MC coach, teacher and longtime Clinton resident.
While Hudson experienced knee replacement surgery, the 80-year-old Biloxi, Mississippi native gets around quite well. He estimates he takes 5,000 to 10,000 steps daily. His total includes workouts at the Baptist Healthplex three times a week, pushing the lawnmower, and walking. He continues to teach an athletic training class for the MC Department of Kinesiology.
Hap always looks forward to the race in his hometown. “I get to see lots of people, including a few of the old athletes.” Typically about a dozen of his family members participate, too. Two of his grandchildren, Tito Zambrano, 11, and Isabella Zambrano, 13, travel all the way from Plano, Texas to take part.
Sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology, the Homecoming race is more than a fun event that draws participants along a winding path through the MC campus. Whether they run or walk, people get to see Olde Towne Clinton businesses and nearby neighborhoods along the route.
The race helps the MC department support the Hap Hudson Endowed Kinesiology Award. So far, there have been four scholarships awarded to kinesiology students. Awards of $300 each help them attend academic conferences.
While Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt of Jamaica won’t be coming to the 2016 MC Homecoming race, the event always attracts people who step up the pace in running shoes.
The 2014 race in Clinton attracted 151 participants. With nice weather, organizers hope to see a better turnout this fall.
The Hap Hudson road race is a nice fit with Mississippi College strengthening its wellness programs. Wellness grants from the Mississippi Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation helped make that possible. The funds supported construction of a running/walking track near the MC soccer fields along with other key initiatives.
The October 15 race starts at Cockroft Hall that Saturday at 8 a.m. It will cost $20 to sign up. The price climbs to $25 on race day with registration to start at 6:30 a.m. T-shirts will go to pre-registered participants. Bagels, fruit and food items from Chick-fil-A will be available at the venue.
For years, the event has been a huge deal for Hudson, his wife, Johnnie Ruth (a 1959 MC grad) and the couple’s many fans. The same holds true for MC Kinesiology Department faculty, staff and students.
“It is one of the highlights of my academic year,” says race director Suzanne McDonough, an MC kinesiology professor. “I enjoy honoring Coach Hudson because he is such a wonderful example of how this university can impact the lives of so many people through one person.”
From volunteers to runners, people connected to the Hap Hudson race every fall are in for a treat, added McDonough, a Kosciusko native. “It’s a fun time of year for everyone involved.”
Veteran runner Michael Wright gets pumped just thinking about the event. “The reason the Hap Hudson race is so fun is because it’s a big family reunion,” says the assistant Mississippi College admissions director. “Each of the runners usually has a tie to MC. It’s a blast to see all the familiar faces and catch up on their lives.”
Medals will be presented to the top three finishers in age group categories.
For more information, contact Suzanne McDonough at 601-940-8186, by email at smcdonou@mc.edu or Debbie Gehris at 601-925-3348. The department’s new Twitter account is another place to find out more about the Hap Hudson race: https://twitter.com/MC_Kinesiology
Photo: Coach Hap Hudson with kinesiology professor Suzanne McDonough (left) and student Mary Ann McCarty (right) at last year’s race.
