Opportunities
MacArthur Park 5K leads a weekend of racing options.
As an avid runner, I wish local races would get together and offer “challenge medals” for completing multiple events in the same day or weekend.
It is completely doable to participate in three of the following four races. I can’t offer a medal, but I’d love to hear from anyone who chooses to double or triple up.
MacArthur Park 5K
The MacArthur Park 5K begins at 7 p. m. Friday in front of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock.
Racers will be chip- timed, and awards will be given three- deep by sex and age group. ( Timing chips must be returned after the race.)
After the racers are off, a Dog Jog family fun run will begin at 7: 10 p. m. It will make a three- fourths of a mile lap through MacArthur Park. All dogs must be on a leash. Children under 5 can participate for free, and strollers are welcome.
Online registration for both runs is available until midnight Wednesday for $ 25 ( kids 5 to 12 will pay $ 15). Registration includes a T- shirt ( while supplies last) and entry into the Lawn Party, which includes food, music and adult and kid- friendly beverages.
Packet pickup and race- day registration will both be from 5 to 6: 45 p. m. Friday on the second floor of the MacArthur Military Museum. Race- day registration will cost $ 30.
All of the proceeds benefit MacArthur Park and its programs. For registration, go to macarthurparklr. com.
Peace, Love and Goodwill
This is the third year for Goodwill Industries of Arkansas to put on a race in Little Rock. Last year’s participants will recognize the 5K and 10K courses, but new this year is the addition of a half- marathon course.
The Peace Love Goodwill Half Marathon will begin at 7 a. m. Saturday in Little Rock’s Murray Park. The 10K will begin at 7: 30 and the 5K will start at 8.
Walkers are welcome in each distance, but there’s a cutoff time for all races: 10: 30 a. m. Half- marathoners who need longer than that to finish may continue, but support teams ( including water stations) will shut down.
The course is an out- and- back style, entirely on the River Trail. The half- marathon will cross over the Big Dam Bridge and the Two Rivers Bridge. The 10K crosses just the Two Rivers Bridge. The 5K crosses just the Big Dam Bridge.
For those unfamiliar with the Arkansas River Trail, other than the bridges, the course will be almost entirely flat. There will be five water stations, and half- marathoners will pass each station twice.
Online registration is available until 11: 30 p. m. Thursday. The halfmarathon costs $ 65; the 10K is $ 45, and the 5K is $ 35. Race- day registration will be available but will cost an extra $ 5. Children 10 and younger may run for free, if accompanied by a registered adult, but the kids won’t receive any of the race swag unless they register as a runner.
Packet pickup will be 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. Friday at Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, 109 Markham Park Drive, Little Rock. Race- day registration and packet pickup will take place in Murray Park from 6 to 7: 30 a. m.
Racers will be chip- timed. Awards will be given to the fastest male and female runners overall and in the masters category.
Organizers say they will have more than enough T- shirts even for last- minute registrations, and every finisher will receive a medal. The 5K and 10K distances share the same medal, but a larger half- marathon medal is available in honor of this inaugural event.
For registration and more information, go to goodwillar.org/ race.
Kidsource 5K Strides for Slides
Kidsource Therapy is focused on providing comprehensive pediatric speech, occupational, physical and developmental therapies. It will hold its fourth annual fundraising 5K at 8 a. m. Saturday at Two Rivers Park. There will also be a Tot- Trot Dash and Wheelchair Race.
Online registration is available until midnight tonight for $ 30 ( ages 6 to 12 will pay $ 20, 5 and younger may run for free with a registered adult). The Tot- Trot and Wheelchair Race cost $ 15.
Packet pickup will be 1 to 5 p. m. Friday at Kidsource Little Rock Clinic, 300 S. Rodney Parham Road.
Race- day registration and packet pickup will be available beginning at 7: 15 a. m. in Two Rivers Park in far western Little Rock.
This is a family- friendly event, and strollers and dogs are welcome. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Awards will be given to the top three male and female runners.
Not a runner but want to support this cause? Sign up as a spirit runner for $ 15.
For more information about Kidsource or to register for the race, go to kidsourcetherapy.com/events.
Race to Remember
The Race to Remember 5K starts at 6 p. m. Saturday at War Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Drive, Little Rock.
A pre- race party will begin at 4 and there will be a balloon release at 5: 30.
Online registration is available until 8 p. m. Friday. Registration will cost $ 35 or $ 45 depending on the type of event shirt selected ( cotton or Dri- Fit).
Packet pickup will be 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. Saturday at Mamie’s Poppy Plates headquarters, 5507 Ranch Drive, Suite 101, Little Rock.
Don’t want to run, but still want to participate in the pre- race party and release a balloon? An individual party pass costs $ 20 and a family pass ( four or more people) costs $ 50. Children under the age of 2 are free.
Mamie’s Poppy Plates is a donation-supported nonprofit whose mission is to provide tangible mementos at no cost to families who suffer stillbirth or infant death. For more information about Mamie’s, or to register for the race, go to mamiespoppyplates.com.
Please send tips for active recreation to cbyrd@arkansasonline.com