The 22nd annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, but the tens of thousands of pink-clad people who are expected to participate will take over downtown Little Rock about sunup.
The starting line for this massive 5K footrace and parade -- with about 30,000 male and female participants, one of the largest pedestrian events in the nation -- is at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Arch Street. Once again, the course will cross over the Arkansas River into North Little Rock during its 3.1 miles, but as it did last year, instead of using the doomed Broadway Bridge, it will go over and back on the Main Street Bridge.
The finish line is at Third and Center streets. (Maps for the course and parking areas are at bit.ly/1hbvOOJ.)
A competitive 5K begins at 7:30 a.m., with timing and awards for its racers, who will gather at the front of the huge pack of participants. Another, larger 5K Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m., trailing after the elite racers on the same course they take. A 2K Walk begins at 8:20 on a separate route, and a Survivor Parade begins at 9:30 a.m.
The registration fee is $25 for the run/walks and $35 for the competitive race. Prices increase $10 on race day.
Registration and packet pickup are available through 2 p.m. Friday at Race Space in the former Pleasant Ridge Post Office, 11619 Pleasant Ridge Road, Little Rock. The little shop opens at 7:30 a.m. every day; it closes at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Race-day registration and packet pickup will also be available from 6 to 8 a.m. at Fourth and Arch streets.
The annual pre-race Pasta Party catered by Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the River Market pavilions downtown. Tickets are $25 and can be bought at the door or in advance at Race Space.
For more information, visit raceforthecure.org or call (501) 202-4399.
-- Conley Byrd III
FLATLANDER
The second annual Arkansas Delta Flatlander provides an opportunity for roadies and off-road cyclists to explore the Arkansas side of the Mississippi River.
Two bicycle tours are scheduled Saturday in West Memphis. The signature event, the Flatlander at 8:30 a.m., has three road routes, 20, 40 or 60 miles. A newly added 21-mile Levee Gravel Grinder ride begins at 1:30 p.m.
The Flatlander's course will start at the corner of East Broadway and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in West Memphis, which is the trailhead for the approach to the Harahan Bridge. A pedestrian passage over the bridge is under construction and is expected to be ready to carry cyclists and pedestrians from West Memphis to Memphis by late 2016.
The Flatlander will follow the western bank of the Mississippi River south and loop around Horseshoe Lake before heading back toward the finish. As the name implies, the course is flat. Part of the route overlaps the Mississippi River Trail, which includes 3,000 miles of bicycle pathways across the country.
The Gravel Grinder will go north atop the St. Francis Levee -- rough terrain -- and is designed for fat-tire bicycles. The route starts and finishes near the intersection of South Eighth Street and South Loop Drive in West Memphis.
The Flatlander Music Event will start at noon and continue until 6 p.m. with three bands performing. Food trucks will be 0n hand. The event will take place at Tom Sawyer RV Park, 1286 S. Eighth St. Admission is $5.
Registration for the rides is available online at arkansasdeltaflatlander.com or on-site beginning at 7:30 a.m. for the Flatlander and 12:30 p.m. for the Gravel Grinder. The fee for either ride is $35. Riders must be 18 years old or older.
For more information, visit arkansasdeltaflatlander.com or call (870) 732-7598.
-- Brice G. Ward
TRI THE LAKE
Triathlon season's almost over, but the Tri the Lake Triathlon still remains on the calendar for triathletes eager to compete one more time before they go to ground for winter. Newcomers ready to try out the multisport can take this chance to compete outside during one of Arkansas' most beautiful seasons and then rest on their laurels until spring.
The Tri the Lake Triathlon and Duathlon will take place at 7:30 a.m. Sunday along the shores of Greer's Ferry Lake in Heber Springs. The sprint triathlon includes a 500-yard swim in the lake, a 13-mile bike ride and a 3.4-mile run. The duathlon substitutes a 2-mile run for the swim but then completes the same bike and running courses used in the triathlon.
The swimming portion of the triathlon starts at Sandy Beach recreation area. The course layout will depend on the water level of the lake, so the official course will be announced on race day in the registration area at the beach. All swimmers will start and finish on Sandy Beach before transitioning to the bicycle leg.
Wet suits are permitted only if the water temperature is below 78 degrees.
The 13-mile bike course features newly paved roads that have a lot of fast, rolling hills. There is one significant climb and descent along the course. This hill rises just before the 5-mile mark.
With no aid stations along the course, riders are responsible for their own food and water. The out-and-back course ends back at Sandy Beach. After changing their shoes and stashing their bikes in the transition area, racers will commence the run.
The 3.4-mile running course is a loop that finishes back at the start. It also includes lots of rolling hills. Aid stations will be positioned at every mile.
The duathlon's first run takes off from the transition area and heads along the running course for 1 mile before returning to the start. Its other legs are just like the triathlon.
Post-race food and beverages will be served beginning at 9 a.m. with the award ceremony following at 10:45.
Registration is available online through dltevents.com through Saturday. On-site registration and packet pickup will be available from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the race site and from 6 to 7 a.m. on race day. Registration costs $75 for individuals and, in the triathlon, $131 for teams of three. Participants must be 12 years old or older.
For more information, visit dltevents.com.
-- Brice G. Ward
ActiveStyle on 10/05/2015