Toads aren’t the only ones getting exercise during Conway’s Toad Suck Daze.
Yes, there will be toad races Saturday. But non-amphibians will also have opportunities for getting the heart and legs pumping.
And this year, athletes who really want to test their mettle will have a new goal: the Iron Toad medal.
People who complete the Toad Suck Daze Toad Run in the morning and the Tour de Toad bike ride in the afternoon will get a custom-made medal and, one would presume, bragging rights.
Sara Drew, development director for Literacy Action of Central Arkansas, sponsor of the Tour de Toad, explains that they’re hoping this new marriage helps the race and bike ride stand out in a sea of races.
Next year, they plan to add a swimming component to make it a stage race triathlon.
“There’s a whole lot of bike rides and races in Arkansas. We’re working our way toward making our event unique and stand out and making it the official triathlon of Arkansas,” Drew says.
The challenge begins at 8a.m. Saturday with the run.
The chip-timed race, presented by the Conway Kiwanis Club, has 5K and 10K options. The 10K is part of the Arkansas Grand Prix series. Both start and end at John Mc-Connell Stadium Fieldhouse at Conway High School West campus, 2300 Prince St., and both races have new courses.
“We’re trying to keep intersection crossings down,” race committee member Kevin Wish explains. “Hopefully it’s a safer course.”
After the adult races, children ages 4 to 12 can sprint through the Tadpole Trot, with separate races for girls, boys and different age groups. The overall winners for boys and girls will receive trophies and everyone else will get ribbons.
Registration through Friday is $25 for adults, $10 for children, plus additional fees.
Call (501) 306-9535 or visit toadsuckrun.com.
PAUSE AND THEN …
There will be a few hours to rest up for the second challenge: the annual Tour de Toad bike ride at 1 p.m. Saturday.
It’s not a ride that should scare people.
Drew says, “Our advertising is that it’s mostly smooth with a couple of rolling hills. However, I think it may be a little more hilly than that. I’ve heard people say [the advertising] makes it sound like you’re kind of coasting through, and you’re not.”
But “I don’t think it’s an intense ride by any means.”
There are two route options, 25 miles and 46 miles. Both begin and end at the high school’s fieldhouse where, after the ride, there will be music by radio station KLAL-FM, Alice 107.7, snacks and the presenting of Iron Toad medals.
In some years the tour has been held on Sunday mornings, but this year’s move to Saturday helps link it more closely to the footraces, and also should attract more participants. The switch means more traffic for riders to contend with, but the police department is compensating with more security along the route.
Drew says they’re also marking the route more this year, particularly for the 46-mile tour, “to keep courage and hope alive that you’re on the right track. You get into some areas that are unpopulated for a while.”
But with police and volunteers spread along the way and three aid stations, Drew says, “It’s going to be a clean, fun ride. No danger.”
As for the weather, Drew predicts it shouldn’t be too hot, even in the early afternoon. But it’s always a good idea to monitor weather.
“We get most of our signups the last 10 days because people are looking at that 10-day forecast,” she says. “Last year it snowed. You never know what’s going to happen in Arkansas.”
Registration is $35, $45 on Saturday.
The money raised goes to Literacy Action of Central Arkansas, which focuses on adult literacy through basic tutoring for people unable to read above a second-grade level, help for people learning English as a second language, as well as an intense reading program in conjunction with Pulaski Technical College.
Of course, reading while riding is not recommended.
Call (501) 372-7323 or visit facebook.com/tourdetoad or active.com.
GET MOVING
Want to get in shape but aren’t sure how to start? The General Physical Preparedness Everyman Series by GPPfit-NWA in Rogers is intended for people of all ages, not just for endorphin junkies for whom a 5K is like a walk around the block.
One forthcoming GPPfit-NWA-sponsored event is the duathlon (running and bike riding) at the Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life Youth Run, 5K Run/Walk on May 10 at Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers.
The 5K starts at 7 a.m., the duathlon starts at 8:10 and the Youth Run (one-half or one mile options) follows at 9:20. A Family Fun Zone will be open 8 to 11 a.m.
Registration for the 5K is $30 for adults and $25 for students up to 19 years old. Add $5 to the fee after May 7. The Youth Run is free for children in eighth grade and younger, $20 for parents ($25 on race day).
The duathlon is $55 with a T-shirt, $70 without, and there is no registration after May 7.
Call (479) 986-9960 or visit kendrickfincher.org.
PREP TIME
The Tour de Rock, CARTI’s intensive central Arkansas bike riding challenge, is just around the bend. With its route options of up to100 miles, some participants might want a little practice before June 7 rolls around.
CARTI is offering a series of training rides beginning Saturday of 30 to 40 miles. Another ride May 10 will go 40 to 50 miles; and May 17 the riders will do 50 to 60 miles.
All training rides start at 7 a.m. at Fike’s Bikes at the River Trail Station in North Little Rock.
While the routes for each ride will be up to the ride leaders, all will use parts of the official Tour de Rock route.
Not all riders are equal when it comes to pacing, so these training groups will set out with faster riders in front. Riders generally spread out and set their own paces after the first 15 minutes or so.
The training rides are free, but they’re only open to riders who have registered for the Tour de Rock. Tour registration is $45 before May 16, $50 after.
Call (501) 296-3406 or visit carti.com/events/tour-derock.
Readers can send tips about wellness-supporting active recreation opportunities to Jennifer Nixon at
ActiveStyle, Pages 26 on 04/28/2014