The Midnight Madness run, a 28-year racing tradition in Ames, will be held Thursday. Race officials predict the annual race will draw almost 2,000 runners this year.

Race director Roman Lynch said the race has not changed much since its start almost three decades ago, but he would like to see a few changes in the future.

“We would like to get some noted runners in Ames for this event, possibly even some world-class runners,” he said.

Lynch said about 600 people from Ames participate in the race. The rest are from out of town, and many travel from other states.

“We get a few runners from Tennessee and Washington, but a majority of the runners are from Minnesota,” he said.

There will be some changes in the race this year. Because of Main Street construction, the race will start on Fifth Street adjacent to City Hall and finish on the corner of Clark Avenue and Main Street.

This isn’t the first time race officials have tinkered with the start of the race.

Until 1990, the race was centered around the football stadium instead of the downtown area.

Kevin Bourke, assistant race director and Iowa State men’s cross country coach, said the Downtown Betterment Association asked race officials to move the race downtown to draw awareness to the downtown business district.

“The downtown area is a more convenient location for the race because the post-race party is near City Hall as well as race information,” Bourke said.

Race volunteer Felice Iasevoli, one of the 225 volunteers helping with the event, said the race brings out a wide variety of participants.

“This event is a really good time for people of all ages,” Iasevoli said. “We get some runners who are just out for fun and some who take the race pretty seriously.”

Iasevoli said some runners enjoy Midnight Madness so much, it’s the only race they participate in all year.

Entry fees are $17 until today, and $25 up to the day of the race. Fees include a shirt and an invitation to the post-race party. Registration for the race is at City Hall.

Midnight Madness events begin at 6:30 p.m. on July 10. There is a 10k bicycle ride at 6:30; a Captain’s Kid Run at 7:00; the 5k race at 7:30; and the 10k race at 8:30. Cash prizes will be awarded at 11:00 p.m. at the post-race party.