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The Loris Bog-Off Chicken Run 5K will start and finish on the festival grounds in downtown Loris this year, an attempt to better integrate the annual endurance race with the world鈥檚 one-and-only celebration of chicken bog on Saturday, Oct. 19.

鈥淲e moved it to the heart of Loris,鈥� said Madison Small of Horry County Parks and Recreation, which partnered with the Loris Chamber of Commerce to stage the race.

Small said the starting line and finish line for the road race will be on Meeting Street. It begins at 3535 Meeting St. outside of the old Padgett law office.

Runners will race through the vendors and by the main stage and past pots of simmering chicken bog on the 3.1 mile course. Then they'll traverse a business district, a wooded area and a residential neighborhood on their way back to the festival grounds.

Samantha Norris, the executive director of the chamber, said the Chicken Run has been part of the festival for three or four years, but was always held on the edge of town at Loris High School. She said the new location should increase participation, and Small said the county is preparing for 250 participants.

The starting gun sounds at 8:30 a.m. and the awards ceremony is slated for 9:30 a.m. on the main festival stage. Volunteers and water stations will be located along the route.

The race is timed, and is part of the annual five-event Horry County Race Series. But running isn鈥檛 actually required.

鈥淲alk, run, bike, push a stroller, however you want to do it,鈥� Small said.

The run costs $40 per entrant, and all finishers will receive a swag bag, a medal and a commemorative bowl of chicken bog, Small said.

County employees can enter for $25 and will receive four hours of paid time off.

Other medals will go to the overall male and female winners, and the top three finishers in each of eight age divisions in both male and female categories. The age groups are 9 and under, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-plus.

To register for the race go to .

Packets can be picked up at the blue race tent on the day of the race beginning at 7 a.m., or from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 at the Horry County Government and Justice Center atrium at 1301 Second Ave. in Conway.

Small said that a survey of runners who participate in the county-sponsored event reveal that 74% of participants run for personal health reasons.

Asked how you square that with an event that features a big bowl of high-calorie chicken bog for all participants, she said 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about balance.鈥�