Some of us are still eating Thanksgiving leftovers, but it's already time for jingle bell Christmas-theme runs. 'Tis the season of seriously wondering what happened to the last calendar year.
Time to think about New Year's resolutions that I probably won't get around to accomplishing.
Little Rock Jingle Bell Run 5K
The 25th annual Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Clinton Presidential Center Park, 1200 President Clinton Ave. in Little Rock.
The Joe Cook Memorial 1-Mile Walk will follow at 11:10 a.m. Kids ages 6 and under can participate in a short run at 10:30 a.m. with the Arkansas Travelers mascots for $10.
Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes, and there will be a contest starting at 10:30 a.m. for best costume, silliest hat and even for best dog costume.
Leashed dogs and strollers are welcome in the 5K and 1-mile walk.
Awards for the fastest 5K runners and the best fundraisers will be presented at noon.
Online registration is available until 3 p.m. Friday. The 5K is $35 and the 1-mile walk is $30. Participants also have the option of registering to jingle in their jammies (as a virtual runner) for $20. Entry fees include an event T-shirt, while supplies last.
Packet pickup will be available from 9 a.m to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at the Arthritis Foundation, 10 Corporate Hill Drive, Suite 220 in Little Rock. Timing chips for the 5K will not be available until race day. Race-day registration and packet pickup will be near the start from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.
In Northwest Arkansas, the Jingle Bell Run NWA will happen at 10 a.m. Dec. 10 at Lake Fayetteville Park, 1153 Lake Fayetteville Nature Trail in Springdale.
Details about this event are available on the same website -- jbr.org. Click on the Arkansas map.
White River Christmas Half Marathon and Relay
The White River Christmas Half Marathon and Relay will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at Fellowship Bible Church of Batesville in the Landers Theater, 322 East Main St.
Online registration is available until 4 p.m. Friday for $30 per runner, which includes long-sleeve event T-shirts for the first 75 registrants. The half marathon course may be split between two runners with an exchange point at the halfway point near the White River bridge.
Packet pickup will be available 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Landers Theater. Race-day registration and late packet pickup will be available from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, also at the Landers Theater.
Awards will go three deep to the fastest males and females, and also three deep by sex and age group. The top three relay teams will also be honored.
All fees will benefit families in need at Christmas, chosen through the Northcentral Arkansas Development Council. Additional race-day donations will be accepted.
For registration and more information, visit wrroadrunners.org/whiteriverchristmashalf.htm.
Arkansas Grand Prix
2016 isn't over yet, but it is never too early to start looking ahead for savings.
Registration fees are always lower on the first day of registration than the last. Many races that don't take place until March or April have already been accepting registrations.
For instance, The Little Rock Marathon weekend will be March 4 and 5, and its first price increase occurred at the end of October. The next increase happens Dec. 31.
In the spirit of looking forward, the Arkansas chapter of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) has announced the 2017 Arkansas Grand Prix race lineup. Grand Prix is a year-long series of road and cross-country races administered by the Arkansas chapter with the goal of highlighting the best footraces across the state.
To enter the Grand Prix, a runner must first belong to one of the Arkansas RRCA running clubs, located throughout the state. The clubs also compete against one another in the team competition.
Runners and clubs accumulate points based on finishing order in each race. Awards are given to top runners and teams at an annual awards ceremony after the conclusion of the series.
The 2017 Grand Prix lineup (races in boldface type are championship events offering extra awards): Jan. 22, One Hour Track Run, Pottsville; Feb. 4, River Trail 15K, North Little Rock; Feb. 11, Valentine's Day 5K, Russellville; Feb. 19, Run the Line Half Marathon, Texarkana; March 11, Chase Race 2 Mile, Conway; March 18, Spring Fling 5K, Cabot; April 1, Capital City Classic 10K, Little Rock; May 6, Toad Suck 10K, Conway; June 10, Arkansas Runner 2 Mile, Benton; June 17, Go! Mile, Little Rock; Aug. 5, White River 4 Mile Classic, Batesville; Aug. 12, Watermelon 5K, Hope; Sept. 2, ARK 5K Classic, North Little Rock; Sept. 9, Minuteman Cross Country 5K, Little Rock; Sept. 16, Arkansas 20K, Benton; Sept. 30, Paint Downtown Pink 5K, Fort Smith; Oct. 14, Breakaway 10K, Searcy; Nov. 4, Midsouth Marathon, Wynne; Nov. 18, Spa 10K, Hot Springs; Dec. 9, CASA Half Marathon, Pine Bluff.
Obviously, the faster runners have an advantage in the Grand Prix scoring system (see the details in all their complicated glory on the website), but there is a special category for anyone who finishes all 20 races. Those who are able to trudge to the finish line in all 20 races will be rewarded and acknowledged as an Ironman (or Ironwoman) at the awards banquet.
See arkrrca.com.
Please send tips for active recreation to
cbyrd@arkansasonline.com
ActiveStyle on 11/28/2016