Looking to hit the pavement this summer? Lucky for you, there are a few fun runs in and around central Arkansas, many of which donate proceeds to a great cause.
Here are our five picks for upcoming runs:
June
Cheetah Chase 5K in Little Rock: Join all the big cats and show your spots and stripes for the most fun race around. The Cheetah Chase 5K starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at the Little Rock Zoo, #1 Zoo Drive, Little Rock, and takes runners through War Memorial Park and ends back at the front entrance of the zoo. All participants get free zoo admission all day on the day of the race, a free zoo bag and a free race T-shirt. Participants are also encouraged to wear fun, family-friendly attire that is animal-themed. Prizes will be given for best “big cat” costume and best animal costume. New this year, in honor of the zoo’s new litter of tiger cubs, the zoo will be giving-out a special award for best tiger costume! Be on the look-out for other tiger-themed activities at this year’s race. Registration is $25 per individual for adults, $15 for children ages 12 and under and free for children under the age of 1. Strollers are permitted. Register here! Get more information here.
Go! Mile in North Little Rock: Enjoy one fast little race when Go! Running’s Go! Mile takes over the Burns Park Soccer Complex at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 14. The Go! Mile course is a one-mile loop within the Burns Park Soccer Complex, run entirely on park roads. This year, the Go! Mile is the RRCA National Championship for one mile and an Arkansas Grand Prix Championship race. The fun race will feature seven heats ranging from The First Mile and and Men’s and Women’s Races to the Windstream-sponsored Elite Race and the Mini-Mile for those 9 years old and under. Registration for all of the runs are $15, while the kid’s Mini-Mile is $5. Register and get more information here!
River City 5K in North Little Rock: Lace up your shoes for the 10th Annual River City Run/Walk 5K at Burns Park in North Little Rock. Starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 28, the run benefits River City Ministry’s work with the poor and homeless of Pulaski County. Registration varies among runners. Get more information and register here.
July
Firecracker Fast 5K in Little Rock: Before hitting the lake, grilling out and shooting off fireworks, take in a nice run on the Fourth of July in Little Rock at Fleet Feet’s annual Firecracker Fast 5K. Starting at 7:30 a.m. on University Avenue, the course will run through The Heights and Hillcrest before ending at War Memorial Stadium. See the course map here. Early registration is $25 and race day registration is $30. Register here!
Big Dam Bridge Twilight 5K in Little Rock: Get a late start with this run that makes it way over the Big Dam Bridge starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19. The popular run will begin at Murray Park in Little Rock and is $25 to enter. Register here!
Looking for more fun runs this summer? Click here for a list of runs around the state.