The Spa 10K/5K has been a Hot Springs tradition since Frank White was governor of Arkansas.
Trying to bring visitors to the Spa City in the slow fall season, business leaders were asked to come up with a special event to spike the local economy. One of the state's signature road races was launched in 1982, when the Spa 10k started at Oaklawn Park and ended downtown.
A few years later, the course moved to Spencer Corner's and finished at Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa. Then in 2002, the present 10K course was adopted with start and finish lines at Hot Springs Convention Center, looping through downtown, up and over West Mountain and through the Quapaw/Prospect Historic District.
In time came a running club, the Spa Pacers, formed primarily to coordinate the 10k race, which has its 33rd running Saturday, Nov. 22.
Cindy Baswell, senior vice president and administration manager at Simmons Bank, is in her first year as race director after several years on the Spa 10K committee.
"The race has really grown in participation the last few years," she said. "Last year, we set a record with 1,300 runners and walkers participating in the two races, and I anticipate that many or more this year. We also encourage walkers in the 5K race and last year had more than 300. It's great to see people engaged in exercising and wanting to be healthy."
Race packets may be obtained from 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at the Arlington, where a welcome reception follows, and 6 a.m.-7:30 a.m. on race day in the Bank of Ozarks (formerly Summit) Arena lobby. The Spa 10k starts at 8 a.m., the course closing at 9:30 a.m.
Trying to promote competition among business, schools, church groups and health clubs, team registration is offered this year. A team captain registers at lesat 10 players, who get $5 off the regular $25 entry fee. Online registration at www.spa10k.com is encouraged.
Immediately after the 10K race is the Spa Squirt 1K for ages 2-10, starting in front of Embassy Suites. All children receive a participation medal, and the top three finishers per age division are awarded. Kellie Glisson is race director and can be reached for more information at 501-545-6110 or by email at [email protected].
Awards ceremonies follow inside Hot Springs Convention Center.
Murphy USA is marathon sponsor for the fifth year, Baswell said. Half-marathon sponsors, she said, are Visit Hot Springs, Allen Tillery Auto, The Sentinel-Record, Rev'd Up Ink, Coco Beverage Co./Michelob Ultra and Bleu Monkey Grill. Other sponsors are Entergy, LifeNet, Relyance Bank, Mid-South Engineering, CHI St. Vincent, Family Care Chiropractic Center, Dick's Sporting Goods, Sam's Club, Simmons Bank, Bennett's Plumbing, RJN Group, Merrill Lynch, Adrianne Kahn, Road ID, and Clif Bar & Co.
Proceeds benefit two non-profit organizations, Teen Challenge of Arkansas and Friends of the Parks, "we are proud to support," said Baswell.
From Sept. 16-Nov. 20, a free training clinic meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:45 p.m. at Transportation Depot. Groups for beginner and intermediate 5K and 10K runners and 5K walkers are scheduled. The clinic is free but requires online registration at macserts.sites.runsignup.com. Tammy Black is Pace for the Race clinic leader and can be reached at 501-545-0334 or by email at [email protected]
"Plans are well under way for this year's race," Baswell said. "Online registration is open, we are close to finishing the design for the long-sleeve technical shirt, and the committee will be working on fine-tuning all of the details so the runners and walkers experience a great race and all of our out-of-town visitors enjoy their time while in Hot Springs."
For questions or race information, go online at www.spa10k.com or contact Baswell at 501-276-8870 or by email at [email protected].
Sports on 08/20/2014