Cowboy boots and overalls aren't exactly typical running gear, and they certainly wouldn't lower a runner's race time, but they're encouraged for the Country Run, where time doesn't matter anyway.
This themed event comes from a new partnership between Corner Store and national Big Brothers Big Sisters. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas has been chosen as one of the chapters to host and benefit from the run. A percentage of the proceeds will be split between the national office and the central Arkansas program.
The boot-scooting starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at War Memorial Stadium and will wind its way through the surrounding park.
It's more of a fun run than a competition. After all, it's hard for a runner to determine his best time when he's having to dodge hay bales and cows. Yes, the run is supposed to include a series of "country-themed obstacles," which should include hay, corn stalks and inflatable farm animals.
Participants are also encouraged to dress up in country attire.
"They're trying to make it not just a normal run," explains Hannah Sligh, a marketer for the central Arkansas chapter. "It's something interesting you get to do as you run the 5K."
After the run, there will be a country carnival with a beer garden, carnival games, music, food and giveaways.
Registering early is encouraged, particularly since the first 500 can enter for free, thanks to a Coca-Cola sponsorship. (Geneva Lamm of Little Rock Parks and Recreation says those who have already signed up will get a refund.) After that, registration is $30, $75 for a family of four and free for children under 8, no matter how many sign up.
Call (501) 374-6661 or visit cornerstorerun.com.
Meet your medics
For the average citizen, a day that includes a run-in with employees of Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services wouldn't be classified as a good day.
But Saturday won't be an average day. It's the date for the inaugural MEMS 5K Run/Walk in Two Rivers Park, an event at which, race director Shannon Smithson explains, people can see their MEMS workers "on good terms."
MEMS is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and it thought a 5K run sounded like a perfect way to celebrate. Many MEMS employees are active runners and, Smithson notes, paramedics are a regular presence at footraces, providing standby medical services: "Why don't we put on one of our own?"
It will be a bit different for MEMS this time, taking on unfamiliar planning and supervision roles, but they're gearing up to give everyone a good, safe time.
"Even though we're new in doing it, we want to make it a good experience for everybody," Smithson says. "We're just trying to figure out a different way to serve our community as best we can."
The race will follow a USA Track & Field-certified course through Two Rivers Park, primarily along the bike path. While it will not be chip-timed, it will be electronically timed.
Awards will be given three-deep in age groups for men and women and, in honor of the organization's anniversary, there will be custom finisher medals for all.
It all starts at 5 p.m. and will include a Zumba warm-up, refreshments and door prizes for participants.
Organizers are working on providing free shuttle service to help alleviate a potential parking crunch because of the park's limited road space.
The registration fees ($25 in advance and $30 race day) will go to the September Fund, a scholarship program that provides one-time scholarships for first-year, college-bound children of police, fire and emergency medical services workers. The number of scholarships awarded is determined by the funds available.
Smithson says two MEMS employees' children received the scholarships in the last two years. "They were just so impressed that that scholarship's available, that we wanted to make sure that there's plenty out there for other kids like ours."
Call (501) 605-2654.
Strolling
People will hit the pavement at a more sedate pace for another good cause Saturday during the annual Walk to Cure Diabetes.
Presented by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the walk will start at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, follow the River Trail across the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge and then return to Dickey-Stephens for snacks and entertainment.
Check-in and pre-walk entertainment start at 7:30 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony at 8:15 and the official start at 9 a.m.
Registration is free, but fundraising is encouraged. Call (501) 217-0321 or visit greaterarkansas.jdrf.org.
In the pink
The Race for the Cure in downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock may get a lot of attention, but it's not the only breast cancer awareness run/walk around. The Western Arkansas Runners are hosting the third Paint Downtown Pink 5K Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 27.
The chip-timed race starts at the Glass Pavilion, 100 N. B St. in Fort Smith and winds through the "relatively flat" Belle Grove District.
Awards will be given three-deep in male and female age group categories.
Registration is $25 in advance, $15 for ages 9 and under, with packet pickup available from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the pavilion. Registration goes up to $30 and $20 on race day and will be accepted between 7 and 8 a.m.
Call (479) 650-0766 or (479) 474-5123 or visit facebook.com/PaintDowntownPinkFortSmith.
Rough it
Some city-loving ladies might really be outdoors girls at heart and one way to find out (with training wheels) is by participating in a Women's Outdoor Weekend.
Two Arkansas state parks are offering sessions in October featuring three-day, two-night camping adventures that include lessons in kayaking, backpacking, bird-watching, Dutch-oven cooking and other camping skills.
The weekend at Bull Shoals-White River State Park is scheduled for Oct. 3-5 and costs $125. Lake Catherine State Park near Hot Springs hosts its event Oct. 17-19 and registration is $85.
Reservations are required for both, and the deadline is Sept. 26.
Call (870) 445-3629 for Bull Shoals, (501) 844-4176 for Lake Catherine, or visit arkansasstateparks.com.
To share tips about wellness-supporting active recreation events, email Jennifer Nixon at
ActiveStyle on 09/15/2014