Nevada Day Classic takes a new turn

The annual Nevada Day Classic Run/Walk will return this year with a couple of changes, said organizer Tom Wion.

The most significant will be chip timing to more accurately and quickly record finish times.

"Too many people come across the line too quickly," said Wion, who organizes the run to benefit Special Olympics through the running clubs Sagebrush Stompers and Tahoe Mountain Milers. "We should have instant results. It's costing us a little bit, but I think it will be worth it."

The race also will begin earlier this year, with the 8K starting at 8 a.m. and the 2-mile run/walk following at 8:10 a.m.

"Hopefully we'll have an emcee from the Special Olympics, too," Wion said. "We've been working to produce a better event."

The course will change slightly, so that runners and walkers from both distances will enter Carson Street from 10th Street.

"There was some confusion in past years with 2-milers missing the turn," Wion said.

Getting the results faster, he said, will help the awards ceremony in the upstairs ballroom of the Carson Nugget run more smoothly. And starting the race earlier will give participants more time before the parade begins at 10 a.m.

"I want people to stick around for the raffle," Wion said. "Make it more of a party."

As in recent years, he's hoping more runners will dress up, shifting the focus to the costume contest rather than the actual race.

"We've definitely had a growing trend in people showing up in costumes," he said. "I'd be really excited if we could turn this into a full-on costume party. It's the perfect way to start out the Halloween weekend."