When running outdoors in the cold January weather, it's a good idea to wear layers. Granted, those layers don't usually include yards of pink tulle, but when the Western Arkansas Ballet decides to host a 5K fundraiser, tutus are a natural fit.
This is the first year for the Tutu 5K and, yes, tutus are recommended. They are not, director Glenda Wise promises, required. But those who run in skirts are more likely to have more fun, and they'll be in the running for a special prize.
"We will, of course, have an award for the best tutu."
The race starts at 8 a.m. Saturday at Ben Geren Park, 7200 Zero St., Fort Smith.
Runners who take their 5Ks too seriously to pound the pavement in frilly dance wear shouldn't worry. The race isn't all fluff, although tutus may inspire more artistic souls to add some grand jetes or chasses to their sprinting.
"We want this to be a fun race and a race that serious runners can do as well," Wise says.
The race will be chip-timed, and awards will be distributed three deep, to males and females in age divisions. All participants will receive a custom medal and hot chocolate.
Registration costs $25 ($35 on race day).
Proceeds will benefit Western Arkansas Ballet, a nonprofit dance studio designed to encourage community appreciation and involvement in the arts through dance education, training and performance. It provides free dance instruction to summer programs and child care groups and is involved with Girl Scouts of America.
"This is a great race to start your new year off right and stick to those resolutions," Wise says. "What else could be more fun than running in a tutu in January?"
Call (479) 785-0152 or (918) 839-4785 or visit tuturun.eventbrite.com.
Slow and steady
So often the new year begins with what seem like simple goals: To get in shape. To burn off those extra pounds acquired from Christmas cookies. And Thanksgiving pie. And Halloween candy.
But people get frustrated.
"Too often people start out with great intentions to work out, but they try to do too much, too quickly and they burn out," says Seth Boone, an interpreter at Cane Creek State Park near Star City.
This year, the park is jumping into the post-holiday fitness game with its new Couch to Stardaze 5K program, which, Boone says, "is essentially a plan to build up confidence in yourself through short, 30-minute trainings three days a week."
Over eight weeks, Boone will lead participants through sessions designed to get the body slowly used to exercise -- rather than a crash course that can leave new exercisers overwhelmed and sore.
At 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. Sundays beginning this Friday, participants will set out for a new challenge in the park, each time going a little farther, doing something a little different. They will start out on the road, eventually progressing to a grass field and then to a trail.
Boone will act as coordinator and coach to keep people moving. "No, I will not yell," he promises. "But I will say, 'Come on, you can do this.'"
The park has more than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails and hosts the Stardaze 5K every spring (April 18 this year), making it a great location for this type of training. There's plenty of room to walk, run and jog, and the terrain is varied enough that participants are less likely to get bored.
They'll also get a bit of a heads-up on the Stardaze 5K course, which will be different this year.
Of course, while the program functions as a way to help people get in shape in a safe, sustainable way, it's also a good introduction to the park itself.
"That is absolutely the end goal of this run ... for people to be able to a) realize there is this great park out there to enjoy, b) for guests to realize that there is a lot of the park they likely have yet to explore, c) for guests to realize that we promote health at Cane Creek State Park."
Participation is free. Sturdy shoes and water are recommended.
Call (870) 628-4714 or visit arkansasstateparks.com.
Readers can send tips about wellness-supporting active recreation opportunities to Jennifer Nixon at
jnixon@arkansasonline.com
ActiveStyle on 01/05/2015