This Saturday, an estimated 1,500 runners will gather at Flat Branch Park to participate in the Roots ‘N’ Blues ‘N’ BBQ Half Marathon and 10K race.

Runners in the 10K compete for the $1,000 prize, and everyone else will be running toward the tasty barbecue and Miller 64 at the finish line. If pulled pork sandwiches aren’t the main draw, all participants should come to enjoy the live rhythm and blues tunes along the way.

“The course is very nice, and we expect that people are going to do well,” says Patrick Hanson, coordinator of the race from Ready Set Results. “Since there is prize money offered, elite athletes from across the state are coming in, as well as some regionally.”

The race will begin at Flat Branch Park. Runners will fly through campus and around the downtown Columbia area before crossing the finish line back at the park. The half marathon will commence at 7 a.m., and the 10K begins at 7:30 a.m. About 1,300 eager beavers have signed up so far.

If you are just now realizing that you have the ability and stamina to run 13.5 miles, it isn’t too late to sign up for the race.

“Just come on down before the race, and we’ll have entry forms there,” Hanson says.

Festival coordinator Jessica Brown is excited about the changes that have been made to the race this year.

“We’ve been listening to the fans, so little things, like more water stations, will be available,” Brown says. “It’s always really fun. There’s music along the course — they run through the festival downtown and even get free shirts and sandwiches at the end. It’s definitely a lighthearted, fun event.”

This is the fourth year running (pun intended) of the half marathon and 10K for the festival. Proceeds will go to the Blues in the Schools program, which allows children at Grant Elementary and West Elementary to learn about the history and origin of blues music. After a week of instruction, the kids perform in front of a live audience at the festival. This gift of music will stay with the kids long after the festival ends.

Paul Gandy, a student at Greenville College in Greenville, Ill., is looking forward to coming out to Columbia to compete this weekend. He’s no stranger to the running world, since this is his fourth half-marathon, and he’s only 20. He even has another one coming up in November.

He started training for this particular race two months ago with an online training program from Runner’s World contributor Hal Higdon.

“I mainly started training just to stay in shape,” Gandy says. “The workouts varied throughout the week, and the longest run was usually on the weekend. I ran 10 miles this past weekend.”

Paul’s biggest influence for the race is his father.

“He runs marathons and competes in triathlons,” Gandy says. “It really inspires me to stay in shape and be healthy.”

Although Gandy says he’s feeling somewhat nervous about the race, he’s definitely excited and wants to go out and do his best. Plus, free coleslaw and brats make the fight to the finish line a bit more appealing.

“I’m not exactly fast, but I want to beat my last time and do really well,” Gandy says. “I’m also really excited to get off my campus for the weekend.”

Welcome to CoMo, Gandy. And to all those running Saturday: keep calm and dash toward the brisket.