Run, ride bikes or wheelchairs at Toad Suck Daze
Toad Suck Daze 10k and 5K
Conway’s Toad Suck Daze Festival makes way for two racing events during its 36th year of celebration this weekend, starting with a Toad Suck Daze 10k and 5K run through downtown Saturday morning, leading into Tour de Toad, a charity bike race for riders of all levels later that evening.
The Toad Suck Daze 10K starts at Conway High School, 2300 Prince St., at 8 a.m., followed by a 5K run and walk at 8:15 a.m. There will be a wheelchair division during the 10K race, with helmets and racing chairs required. No regular wheelchairs will be allowed.
Following the 10K and 5K races, the Tadpole Trot for kids ages 4 to 12 begins at 10 a.m. in the school’s John McConnell Stadium. Boys and girls will run separately. Runners ages 4 to 8 will run a half lap. The 400-meter run will be for those ages 9 and 10. The 11 and 12 year old’s will run two laps.
Every child who participates will receive a ribbon and the top three overall male and female runners will receive trophies. A traveling trophy plus $200 will be given to the physical education program of the school with the highest participation. Conway Christian School was the 2016 winner.
Fee for the 10K, wheelchair event and 5K run/walk is $25. Cost is $10 for the Tadpole Trot. Registration ends midnight Friday.
Both 10K and 5K races will be timed to calculate the runner’s results. All runners must wear time chips. Any registration after 7:30 a.m. will not be timed.
On-site registration will be at the school’s fieldhouse from 6:30 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday. Online registration is available at toadsuckrun.com. Race day packet pickup will be available as well.
Runners can pick up their packets and time chips on Thursday at The Sporty Runner, 1016 Van Ronkle St, Conway, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Toad Suck Daze 5K and 10K were started by the Conway Kiwanis Club in 1982 in conjunction with the Toad Suck Daze Festival. First National Bank (now Regions Bank) started an 8K race a few years later. In 1986, the two races were merged. According to toadsuckrun.com, more than $330,000 has been contributed to local charities since the race began. Baptist Health Heart Institute Conway is presenting sponsor of this year’s run.
For more information check out the race’s website at toadsuckrun.com.
Tour de Toad
The 11th Tour de Toad & Iron Toad Charity Bike Ride begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Conway Municipal Airport, 3250 Sand Gap Road.
This ride offers three route options. There will be a 10-mile ride for the entire family, a mostly flat ride with one or two hills. The Intermediate 20-mile ride has more hills and climbs, and offers a greater challenge; and the 40-mile route is for advance riders wanting the challenge of hills and increasing intensity with each mile. It’s billed as a good precursor to the Big Dam Bridge 100 cycling tour. All races will start and end at the airport.
Parking is about a 10-15 minute walk from the starting line, riders should arrive early enough to unload, park and register by 11 a.m.
In advance, the fee for the 40-mile “Feels Like a Half-Century” ride is $45; the 20-mile ride costs $45; and registration for the 10-mile family ride is $25. All race prices will increase by $5 the day of race.
Day of race registration and packet pickup will begin at 10 a.m. Advance packet pickup will be 3 to 5 p.m. Friday at The Ride, 2100 Meadowlake Road, No. 2, in Conway. Riders younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Toad Suck Daze Festival offers many festivities, including live music, dance performances, exotic foods, carnival rides and hundreds of vendors. There are also affiliated softball and golf tournaments, car shows and stage performances. A visit from Peppa Pig is expected and Sunday there will be a visit from SpongeBob Square Pants.
No pets, strollers, skateboards, baby joggers or bicycles will be allowed. Only toads and service animals are permitted.
The Daze
In 1982, Conway introduced the state to an event focused on academic funding for students at Central Baptist College, Hendrix College, the University of Central Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. This event has flooded downtown Conway ever since.
Participants that complete one of the Toad Run races and one of the Tour de Toad routes will be met at the finish line with an Iron Toad medal, a custom Literacy Action award. Updates for the Tour de Toad race are available at facebook. com/TourdeToad.