MEMS 5K to benefit program for homeless

CONLEY BYRD III

The MEMS 5K will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday in Little Rock’s Murray Park on Rebsamen Park Road.

Online registration is open until 11:59 p.m. Thursday for $25. (Online registration adds a $2.50 processing fee.)

There are no advance packet pickups. Race-day registration and packet pickup will begin at the starting line at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Race-day registration will end by 9:30.

The course is an out-andback over the Big Dam Bridge.

Racers will be chip-timed. Awards will be given three deep in the overall male and overall female categories as well as three deep by sex and age group. There will be a separate division for first responders (police, fire or emergency medical service) who compete in their uniforms. Fair warning, failure to return the timing chip will incur a $30 replacement fee.

Walkers and strollers are welcome. Organizers ask that those looking for a more leisurely pace line up at the back of the pack.

Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, and there will be a costume contest after the race is over.

Proceeds go to The Van, a nonprofit homeless outreach program. To learn more, visit theoneinc.org.

For registration and more information, visit runsignup. com and search for “MEMS 5K.”

Outback in the Ozarks

Registration for The Outback in the Ozarks run is open until Thursday for any runners who want to try to join an existing team. The 205-mile relay race will begin Friday at Lake Leatherwood City Park outside Eureka Springs and end Saturday at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park southwest of Fayetteville.

There are also two shorter options, with 65- and 125-mile relay races. The cost to run is $135 per person.

For more information, visit outbackintheozarks.com.