When a bike course is nicknamed "The Jasper Disaster," you know you're in for a challenge.
Fifty-eight miles long, this "disaster" starts at the Brandon Burlsworth Youth Center, 202 S. Spring St., Harrison, and includes three big climbs (total elevation gain of 5,500 feet, including a 15 percent grade) and two "thrilling descents."
The Tour de Hills Race & Tour event website leaves no room for speculation: "Gravity Always Wins. You've Been Warned."
This is the 10th year for the Tour de Hills, scheduled for Saturday at Harrison, with competitive riders taking off on their epic journey along the Disaster course at 10 a.m.
Tackling the Jasper Disaster while also trying to outpace other competitive cyclists may be just too much for some riders to take on, so for those who want the challenge without the competition, the Jasper Disaster is also available as a route option on the tour portion of the Tour de Hills.
The tour has shorter options as well: the 26-mile Orange Loop Ride ("a light challenge and a good workout") and the 15-mile Prairie View Ride (a "leisurely and scenic ride" that's appropriate for novices).
Registration for the race is $45, $40 for juniors. The tour is $35, $25 for ages 17 and under.
Call (870) 741-2346 or visit tourdehills.com.
65 roses
There's another pedal-pumping challenge for bike riders on Saturday as Searcy plays host to the Tour of 65 Roses.
The name 65 Roses is actually a trademark of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. An alternate name for an awful disorder, "65 Roses" is easier for children to pronounce.
The tour has four length options: 8, 35, 50 and 65 miles, all starting at Spring Park, 401 S. Main St., Searcy, at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
Registration for the three longer rides is $45. The relatively easy 8-mile fun ride is $15. All proceeds will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Call (501) 305-3915 or visit the65rosestour.com.
Big screen
Everyone gets to be an athletic star, complete with their flushed, exultant face flashed all over a Jumbotron in the CHI St. Vincent Family 5K Run/Walk, 8 a.m. Saturday.
This is the fifth year for the footrace, which starts outside War Memorial Stadium/AT&T Field, winds through War Memorial Golf Course, passes through the CHI St. Vincent campus, then follows Markham Street and loops around back to finish inside the stadium, where those photos will appear on the Jumbotron.
The run isn't part of the Arkansas Grand Prix circuit and the course is not certified, but the event will be chip-timed and race director Tim Osterholm says runners should feel confident in their distance. "We measure it, and it is a 5K," he said. "That's important to us to make sure it's measured accurately."
It's also important to them to get started on time, so participants shouldn't be late. Because the course includes the golf course, volunteers and organizers need everyone to move through early enough so the space will be clear for Saturday morning golfers.
The awards ceremony will take place on the stadium field with awards three deep for age groups and overall categories.
Those who want to come out with families in tow will find plenty to keep young ones entertained. Children will be welcome to play on the field, and they'll have face painting and other activities for kids.
Registration in advance is $25, $15 for children ages 10 and under. On race day, registration is $30.
The proceeds benefit CHI St. Vincent Nursing Excellence, funding scholarships and nursing education.
Call (501) 552-2380 or visit chistvincent.com/5k.
Purple rain
Children get another chance to run around on a big field when Little Rock Catholic High School for Boys presents its Rocket 5K, 8 a.m. April 25.
This is the 11th year for the run and walk, and this year promises to be the most colorful one yet.
"We have added what we're calling Rocket Rain," explains Dawn Berry, special events coordinator for the Catholic High School Foundation. "It's like the Color Run where it's a purple-and-gold powder."
Getting doused in Catholic High colors is optional but runners and walkers who choose to show their school spirit (literally) on their sleeves should be sure to wear white to get the full purple-and-gold effect. The Rocket Rain will fall on two sections of the walking and running courses.
The 5K and 3K courses, which start and end at the school's campus, 6300 Father Tribou St., wind through the neighborhoods around the school and include a few hills. There's a reason the race's tag line is "Yeah, it's tough. Get over it!"
"I've heard it is a challenge if you're actually running like you want to win the race," Berry says.
The 3K walk is for people who want to go a little slower -- or prefer a shorter route. Also, children 10 and younger can test their speed with the Rocket Dash: Held on the school's track, the 100-meter dash is for ages 1-4 and the 300-meter for ages 5-10. All finishers will receive a medallion, but they will not run through purple rain.
For the adults, the awards will be given for men and women by age groups.
The whole family is welcome for the Rocket 5K and that includes family members covered in fur. Leashed dogs are invited to "Walk With Zeke," the school's canine mascot, or to run or walk the 5K with their owners. (Brother Richard Sanker's German shepherd Zeke is 12 years old.)
Runners planning to take their pets should be aware that pet-less runners will get to be at the front of the line when the race starts.
While all the running is going on, the football field will be a children's fun zone with games, an inflatable slide, obstacle course and fairy tale characters.
Registration is $25 until April 23, then $30. The dash is $10. Proceeds will benefit Catholic High School Foundation, providing need-based scholarships and supplementing teacher salaries.
Call (501) 664-4625 or visit rocketalumni.com/race.
ActiveStyle on 04/13/2015