The name may change, but the race stays the same. Sort of.
What started in 1980 as the Diet Pepsi 10,000-meter run in downtown Little Rock became the Pepsi Challenge 10000, the Pepsi 10K, Bud Run 10K and now, finally, the Capital City Classic 10K.
Presented by the Little Rock Road Runners, the race is part of the Arkansas Grand Prix Series, for which it is the state 10K championship event. It starts at 8 a.m. Saturday - but it’s no longer downtown.
About 10 years ago, the race moved west to Two Rivers Park on County Farm Road near where the Arkansas and Little Maumelle rivers meet - a confluence whose geologic history makes it possible to have a hill-free course. The lack of hills usually translates to some pretty brisk race times, an incentive for competitive runners. Course records were set in 2009 by male overall Hillary Kogo (31:52) and female overall Leah Thorvilson (35:50).
As race director Bill Torrey says, “It’s as flat as can be. It’s all out there by the river area. Flat, scenic. It’s a nice run.”
Cap City Classic is a tradition for many people, a nostalgic race for those who have raced under its various incarnations and names for decades.
“A lot of people ran in the ’80s with Pepsi when it was downtown,” Torrey explains. “It was one of the largest races in the state with up to 3,000 people. I think a lot of people, it’s where they got their start.”
One downside to the Two Rivers Park location is the parking situation. Demand exceeds supply, and so a trolley will run to shuttle people from their cars to the registration points. It’s also possible to park in River Mountain Park by the Two Rivers Park Bridge and bike or stroll to the starting line - if you’re up for the extra 1.5 miles.
In addition to the race, there will be food and drinks and a sales guy from Newton Running Shoes will be on hand to let people try their products. (Torrey owns the Rock City Running store in west Little Rock.)
Registration is $20 in advance, $25 on race day. Money raised will, as Torrey says, “keep the club alive and well.”
For more information, call (501) 231-3730.
Tackling hills
There’s nothing simple or particularly flat about the 10th annual Rocket 5K Race. This year’s advertising slogan is “Yeah it’s tough … Get over it.”
“It’s a little hilly,” race coordinator Anne Carter admits.
The fundraising event for Little Rock Catholic High School for Boys wanders through the neighborhoods surrounding the school, a particularly hilly part of town. Runners will start at 8 a.m. April 12 at the school campus, 6300 Father Tribou St.
It’s not, Carter warns, a race to run if you’re looking to beat the clock.
“It is a hard course to run. It’s not, I would think, a race you would have your best timing on. If you’re trying to increase your time and you run 5Ks to beat your last time, this is probably not that race.”
What it is, though, is fun and a morning of exercise and family activities that extend even to four-legged, furry family members.
That would be in the 3K Walk With Zeke, which starts out a few minutes after the 5K. In this laid-back walk, participants are encouraged to bring their pets and take a stroll with Zeke, the school’s German shepherd mascot, who lives with Brother Richard Sanker, the guidance counselor.
As for children for whom the hills might be a bit too much of a challenge, there’s the Kids Dash for ages 12 and under. There will be a 100-meter dash for 1- to 4-year-olds and 300-meter dashes for children 5 to 8, 9 to 10 and 11 to 12 - all on the school’s shiny new track.
Every child will receive a medal and a T-shirt, with the top finishers in each age group getting a special medal.
The point of it all, Carter says, is to have a fun family event with something for everyone, regardless of age, ability and number of legs. “There’s a pace for everyone. We want to get the community involved and just have a fun family day.”
And while the course is admittedly difficult, it shouldn’t scare people off.
“You’ve got to challenge yourself,” Carter says. “It’s hilly. But it’s worth it. When you’re done, you’re like ‘I did it!’ It makes you that much stronger.”
Early packet pickup will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 11 at Go! Running, 1819 N. Grant St. Timing chips, however, won’t be available until race day, so runners need to plan to get to the school in time to collect their chips.
Parking will be available in the school’s lot and at the Plaza West building across the street.
Registration for the 5K and the walk are both $25 in advance, $30 on race day, $10 for the Kids Dash. All money raised goes to the Catholic High Foundation, which provides needs-based tuition assistance and supplements teachers’ salaries.
For more information, call (501) 664-4625 or visit rocketalumni.com. Taxing
Tax day is looming large on the horizon. What better to relieve the stress of 1040EZs, W-9s and 1099-INTs than with a good old 5K?
For the 12th year, the White River Roadrunners present their annual 1040 Tax Fun Run and Walk, 10:40 a.m. April 12, on a course that begins and ends at Eagle Mountain Elementary School, 600 Eagle Mountain Blvd., Batesville.
Awards will be given out to the top male and female runners and walkers in the various age divisions.
It’s important to remember all those little tax deductions (aka children), and the race organizers have opportunities for them to stretch their legs and work off their secondhand stress as well. Ambulatory children 3 and younger can run, toddle or stumble through the 25-yard Toddler Trot at 10:15 a.m., with T-shirts and medals for all. After the big race, the Kids Tax Deduction Run for ages 4 to 10 starts at 11:30. All those children will also receive a T-shirt and finishers medal.
Registration is available online until 10:40 a.m. April 11 with a cost of $10.40 (sensing a theme yet?). Failure to register before race day incurs a $4.20 penalty and means the participant may or may not receive a race T-shirt. Participation is free for tax deductions ages 10 and under.
For more information, call (870) 307-7663 or visit wrroadrunners. org/taxrun.htm.
ActiveStyle, Pages 24 on 03/31/2014