To help Pulaski County's poor and homeless, sometimes all it takes is lacing up a pair of running shoes.
Now in its 10th year, the River City Run/Walk 5K encourages people to get out walking, running or otherwise moving through North Little Rock's Burns Park while also raising money and awareness for River City Ministry. The faith-based nonprofit operates a food pantry, health clinics, a clothing bus and shelters for the poor and homeless, and all proceeds from the race go directly into the programs.
The race begins promptly at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, and the course goes through Burns Park on a loop from Tournament Drive to Soccer Avenue, a route entirely contained within the soccer complex, making it very easy to get in and out.
"It is a really flat course so it runs really fast," promises race coordinator Marci Rhodes.
Participants don't have to run. It's possible to register as a walker or a wheelchair participant. Of course, those who register as walkers have to walk. No running. No jogging. No loping.
There are many award categories for this chip-timed, family friendly race, based on age, sex and ability.
"We give lots of prizes," Rhodes says. "The chances are really good in our race that you'll leave with some award."
For most, that will be dog tag awards. But the most coveted are the 20 or so bobble-head trophies that go to the overall and age-division winners.
Registration in advance is $25, $12.50 for children under 18. For those who register in advance, packet pickup will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Rock City Running, 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock.
On race day, registration costs $30 and will be available from 6 to 7 a.m.
Call (501) 786-7811 or visit rivercityministry.org.
Beat the clock
Forget about hordes of bicycle riders pedaling furiously shoulder-to-shoulder and wheel-to-wheel. Sunday, some of the best and fastest riders around will zoom along a central Arkansas highway in a spaced-out stream facing a merciless competitor: the steady, unbending tick of the clock.
The Arkansas State Time Trial Championships, sponsored by Central Arkansas Velo (CARVE), is a solo race in which cyclists can definitively prove just how fast they are.
As organizer Ian Hope explains, "A time trial is a test of mental strength as much as physical strength. It's you against the clock. You're not allowed to draft, to ride behind another rider. You have to be out there on your own, riding as fast as you possibly can."
Participants are given individual start times, in this case 30 seconds apart starting at 7 a.m. When their time comes, they set off from the starting point near the intersection of Arkansas 391 and U.S. 70 off the Interstate 40 Galloway Exit. They then travel along U.S. 70, 12 1/2 miles out, 12 1/2 miles back to finish where they started.
It's the same course for everyone, and the person with the shortest lap time is the winner.
With staggered start times, riders are on their own. They may spot other riders along the way, but it's not about pacing oneself against a fellow competitor. It's a solitary endeavor that appeals to many bicycle racers.
"They like that isolated feeling, that solo effort, nobody else around them," Hope says. "That's how they perform best. It's just the challenge of it."
The race is broken down into age and ability categories, with medals going to the top three finishers in each division. To win medals, riders must be Arkansas residents and must have an annual license from USA Cycling.
There's also an open division called the Merckx Division (named for famed Belgian rider Eddie Merckx) with different requirements and a cash payout.
While there are qualification requirements in order to win, taking part in the time trial is open to everyone.
"Anybody that wants to try the course can come out and ride it," Hope says, adding that there will be riders as young as 10 or 12 and still others well into their 60s.
He also points out that they have riders come in from Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas for this trial.
"In the world of time trialing, this is an ideal course for people who want to see how fast they can go over a determined amount of time and distance. It's just flat. Straight out, straight back. No hills. No climbing. No turns, really. You just put your head down and pedal as fast as you can."
Registration is $20 through Saturday, and Hope stresses there will be no onsite registration.
Call (501) 658-5536 or visit usacycling.org and search "Events" for Arkansas.
Brave the elements
Getting outside and back to nature sounds nice, but it can be a daunting prospect, particularly for city folks who've never spent a night in the great outdoors -- or who haven't slept in a tent since childhood family campouts.
One way to ease into it with some professional help is at the Cossatot River Weekend Adventures. Saturday and Sunday, park interpreter Shelley Flannery will lead an overnight campout in the Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area near Wickes.
This is the first year the park has offered group adventures, so they're testing the waters, so to speak.
The adventures can include a mixture of all sorts of outdoor activities such as kayaking, backpacking, hiking, fishing, Dutch oven outdoor cooking, snorkeling -- although the adventures for this particular weekend will depend on the weather.
For instance, the Cossatot River is notorious for its challenging white-water areas (Cossatot comes from a French term that means "skull crusher"), particularly when the water is high. Ideal conditions for this adventure will be a little more sedate, so if the water levels are too high or dangerous, the kayaking will be called off.
Prior knowledge of outdoor skills is not required since Flannery will be with participants as a guide. But participants should be reasonably active and physically capable of kayaking and other outdoor activities.
Registration is $95 per person and the deadline is Wednesday. The fee includes the food, programs and kayak and tent rental.
Call (870) 385-2201 or look at the park's pages at arkansasstateparks.com.
Event organizers can email Jennifer Nixon at
ActiveStyle on 06/23/2014