Spa Running Festival gives $20K to local organizations

The Spa Running Festival, presented by Window Mart, was able to award a total of $20,000 to three local organizations from its 2020 race proceeds despite COVID-19 restrictions, and organizers are already making plans for its 40th anniversary this year.

“Even with the circumstances created by the

COVID-19 global pandemic, the Spa Running Festival was proudly able to host a downsized racing festival continuing the annual tradition since

1981,” a news release said.

“The pandemic crisis caused a cancellation of the 13.1 half marathon race event and many changes were made to the starting and finishing line, however, the 10K and 5K races with limited rosters and COVID prevention methods in place (were) safely able to host a sold-out roster of runners,” it said.

The three local organizations benefiting from the 2020 race include the Adult and Teen Challenge of Arkansas, which received $9,000; the Friends of the Parks 501(c)3 organization with President Neg Skoog, which received $5,000; and the Arkansas Spa Pacers Buzz Wilson Scholarship Program, which received $6,000.

Teen Challenge of Arkansas is a nonprofit organization with the purpose “to Biblically educate men 18 and older with life-controlling problems.

This is accomplished through educational programs that are Biblically sound and highly structured,” the release said.

Executive Director Tim Culbreth and the students of Teen Challenge “have been very instrumental in providing race day logistics support to the race for many years, from setting up the finish line area, aide stations, marking the racecourses, course monitoring, cleanup and on-site registration,” the release said.

“If the Spa Running Festival were forced to fill these roles with volunteers in the areas they support for the races, it would be a very difficult task to fill,” the release said.

Friends of the Park is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and stewardship of Hot Springs area public parks. Individual and corporate partnerships are available for projects identified in the Hot Springs Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, which is a comprehensive guide for future park, recreation and open space development, it said.

Proceeds from the festival also fund numerous Buzz Wilson scholarships awarded to local high school seniors involved in the sport of running and or fitness and who exemplify the principles identified in the Spa Pacer’s mission statement.

The scholarship committee is chaired by Lorri Saracini with members Amy Johnson, Jason Gloria and Jason Armitage.

Students receive funding once proof of college enrollment is received so those funds are typically dispersed later in July and August, the release said.

“Since my involvement began in 2009, the Spa Racing Festival has awarded a grand total of $287,000 to these three organizations,” Cindy Baswell, the festival’s race director, said in the release.

“We are so thankful for our supporters and return registrants that helped us through a very difficult year, for events especially,” she said. “We are very pleased and thankful to be able to award these great organizations with this funding in the midst of a difficult year for everyone.”

This year’s Spa Running Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13, and registration will open this summer.

“We are very excited to be able to scale back up in 2021 and are planning a fantastic 40th anniversary,” Baswell said.

For updates or early-bird registration rates when the opening is announced, visit http://www.sparunningfestival.com.