Race Set For Downtown Saturday

— The city’s Valentine’s 4K/8K race will start at 7 a.m. Saturday in downtown Bentonville to avoid construction at Lake Bella Vista.

The race originally was set to start at 9 a.m. at the lake. The race will start two hours earlier to avoid traffic problems associated with closing downtown streets for runners, said Parks and Recreation staff.

The race will start on the square and travel east on Northeast Second Street and north on Northeast J Street. The course will wind around the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Memorial Park.

The city will close Northeast J Street, Northeast Second Street, Northeast A Street and John DeShields Boulevard from about 6:45 to 8:45 a.m. City workers will put up barricades along the route and volunteers will redirect traffic.

The event is the first in the city’s race series that will culminate with the Bentonville Running Festival and half marathon April 6. Runners can sign up individually or as a couple. All participants will receive a T-shirt, and age category winners will be awarded medals.

Participants can register until noon today at the Downtown Activity Center, 215 S.W. A St. Packet pickup continues through 4:30 p.m. Friday.

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