Jennings Osborne was known for his love of big Christmas light displays, and the Light Up the Night 5K honors his memory and his legacy with its fourth annual race through downtown Little Rock.
While this is a competitive 5K, participants are encouraged to think festively, particularly about clothing.
“The big theme is to have people come out dressed up in the Christmas theme in honor of Jennings,” race director Bill Torrey says.
The course takes runners right by the state Capitol, which will be aglow by the time the race is underway.
The 5K starts at 5 p.m. Saturday at the River Market. For those who are less ambitious or want to take their children and dogs along, the one-mile fun run/walk will begin at the same place.
Registration is $20 online through Thursday. On Friday, participants can register at Rock City Running, 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on site from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. Saturday. Late registration is $25.
For more information, call (501) 231-3730.
Fayetteville Half Marathon
What’s drawing serious runners from all across the country to Northwest Arkansas? The chance to run at one of the top outdoor track and field facilities in the nation.
The University of Arkansas’ John McDonnell Field, named for the legendary track and field coach, provides the finish line for the Fayetteville Half Marathon on Sunday.
“How cool is that?” organizer Bruce Dunn of All Sports Productions says. “Tracy Byrd, our race director, always says, ‘The only way you’re going to be able to run on this world-class facility is to sign up for this race.’”
For those to whom a half-marathon is a bit too daunting, there’s also a 5K and a one-mile fun run/walk.
Last year’s race drew more than 900 participants, and this year they’re expecting about 1,200 runners. Dunn says that thus far, people from 25 states have registered.
And the race has another connection to the university. All Sports partners with UA’s graduate-level sport management program in organizing the event. “The class works on the event all semester long,” Dunn says. “It’s a major part of their grade.”
The stadium will open at 6:30 a.m. Sunday for those who want to scope out the track and finish line before the races start or to take in the festive atmosphere. There are no big, planned activities, beyond the National Guard’s presentation of the colors and an “awesome” a cappella group singing the national anthem.
The half-marathon starts at 8 a.m. with the 5K starting at 8:20 and the fun run at 8:25. Half-marathoners will begin on Meadow Street and run south to loop Razorback Stadium before heading back to the track via a winding route that includes Scull Creek Trail. They finish with a lap on the track.
Registration is due in advance; there’s none on race day. People can register online or at the race expo, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at the Chancellor Hotel, 70 N. East Ave. in Fayetteville.
Registration for the half-marathon is $80 without a T-shirt, $90 with a cotton shirt and $95 for a technical or Ecodye shirt. The 5K costs $35, $40 or $45, and the fun run/walk for ages 6 and older costs $10, $15 or $20.
They’re also looking for volunteers, who will receive a race shirt and an invitation to the post-race volunteer appreciation party.
Any outdoor event in Arkansas, particularly at this time of year, is at the mercy of the weather.
However, Dunn insists, “I can’t control the weather but I always say we’re going to have great weather no matter what.”
For more information, call (479) 521-7766 or visit fayettevillehalf.com. Running for flapjacks
The Pine Bluff Court Appointed Special Advocates will boost the funds they need to support their women’s shelter at the annual Pine Bluff CASA Half Marathon on Saturday. The half-marathon starts at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8:15 a.m.
The half starts at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff stadium, 1200 University Drive; goes through the school’s campus, past Saracen Landing, through Regional Park and ends back in the stadium parking lot. And because this is Pine Bluff, you can expect the course to be flat as a pancake.
Speaking of pancakes, a pancake breakfast will be served at the finish line.
In addition to shiny medals, the winners will take home original glass works by James Hayes.
Registration is $55 for the half-marathon, $25 for the 5K and $70 for a family 5K package of up to four people.
Call (870) 540-4911 or visit casahalfmarathon.org.
Pups and elves
You may not see lights but you’ll hear bells at the Hot Springs Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis.
Instead of winding through the roads and avenues of Hot Springs, runners and walkers will cover the trails at Garvan Woodland Gardens, 540 Arkridge Road.
This is a chip-timed race and winners will receive prizes, but everyone who takes part gets a long-sleeve T-shirt and a goodie bag.
The 5K run and 1-mile walk start at 9 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot and go through the gardens and their elaborate displays of Christmas lights.
Organizer Angela Harris says the gardens’ 4 million lights will be turned on for the race, but it’s in the morning so “unless it’s foggy, we don’t see them.”
The race usually draws between 600 and 800 people, depending on the weather, and they all end up at the newly renovated pavilion for a post-race pizza party and awards. The whole affair is quite the spectacle, with runners, dogs and elaborate holiday costumes.
Harris says, “They take the whole costume contest thing to a whole other level.”
Also a spectacle? The Elf Race. After the grown-up race and walk, children 6 and younger get the chance to show how speedy they are as they chase a costumed elf (“If I can talk someone into putting on an elf costume,” Harris says) through the gardens.
“It’s a short [race] and they all get an award at the end. It’s really cute.”
Registration is $20 for walkers, $25 for runners.
Ice Dec. 7 cancelled Craig’s Jingle Bell 5K in Little Rock. Look for it to re-emerge on Groundhog Day 2014.
For more information, call (501) 664-4591 or visit arthritis.org/arkansas.
ActiveStyle, Pages 24 on 12/09/2013