Opportunities

Run on a golf course, then watch the kids show you how it’s done.

Still spry at 75, Cammack Village isn’t sleeping in this Labor Day morning. Its third annual Cammack Village 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. — yes, today.

Online registration has closed, but inperson registration for this competitive, chip-timed footrace is open from 7:30 to about 8:15 a.m. for $35, says race director Cody Kees.

The 3.1-mile course is certified to USA Track and Field standards. The staging area is near City Hall and the pool.

Packets will include racing bib, timing chip and a T-shirt. Kees says all finishers will get medals, snacks, cold beer (where appropriate) and pool admission. Age group winners will win prizes.

A one-mile Family and Pup Fun Run will follow the 3.1-mile race at 10 a.m.; as the name suggests, dogs are welcome. The cost is $35 — for the whole family, Kees says. Packet pickup will be open until 9:30 for the fun run.

It’s also the 75th anniversary of Cammack Village, “so we have a band, hot dogs and food trucks starting at around 11,” he adds.

The festival lasts until about 1 p.m. at City Hall. Besides the food and music, expect a raffle and the Cammack and Cheese cook-off contest, seeking the best macaroni and cheese in town … er, village.

Drop off donations of school supplies for a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Minuteman XC

The Minuteman Cross Country 5K returns Saturday to Western Hills Park in Little Rock. It starts at 7:30 a.m.

Note that Western Hills used to be a golf course. Imagine running on a golf course with no fear of being knocked out by a hook or a slice.

This 3.1-mile footrace is the only cross country event on this year’s Arkansas Grand Prix schedule and it’s a championship event to boot — which means there will be more than the typical first-, second- and third-place awards in the most populous age divisions, a situation that favors those whose nemesis is always just a second or two ahead.

It also means some of the state’s most dedicated and/or fastest road racers will attend. On the other hand, they will not be racing on roads. Could grassy terrain give an edge to someone else for a change? Hmm. It happens to horses.

The Little Rock Roadrunners Club hosts this 5K, and will fire up the grill to provide hot dogs and hamburgers.

But wait — there’s more. The 5K is an open event, open to anyone. But it is followed at 8:15 by a cross country meet for high school and junior high school teams.

“This is a great event to watch high school runners compete,” race director Bill Torrey says. “It is an exciting event if you just want to watch a cross country event” and not do the running yourself.

Or do your own running, then sit down with that burger and watch the youngsters fly.

Online registration is available through links at arkrrca.com and arkansasrunner.com until 11:59 p.m. Thursday for $25 (plus a $2.50 website fee).

Or save $2.50 and print the form off arkansasrunner.com. Hand it over on race day or during packet pickup at Rock City Running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. The shop is at 10300 Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock (and it will have forms).

Race-day registration ($30) starts at 6:30 a.m.

School teams register for the Minuteman XC Invitational on a different website — ar.milesplit.com. There is no race-day registration for schools.

Arkansas National Guard members will direct parking, which will be available in the park and a quarter-mile away at Western Hills Methodist Church and Western Hills Elementary School. Fairways Drive will be reserved for school buses.

More information is at arkrrca.com. Torrey will answer questions not answered there at (501) 231-3730 or bjtorrey@sbcglobal.net.

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