Jockey Jog 5K to benefit ACH

The second annual Jockey Jog 5K, scheduled for Jan. 7 near Oaklawn Park, will offer a fun, seasonal way to raise funds for Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock.

The Jockey Jog is a 5K race and family walk/run organized by the Garland County Circle of Friends, the Garland County chapter of the all-volunteer organization that works to raise funds and awareness for the children's hospital.

The presenting sponsor for the event is the Irhie family. Charity Bennett, chairwoman of Jockey Jog and co-chairwoman of Garland County Circle of Friends, said the family is a huge supporter of ACH.

Bennett said Circle of Friends started the race after seeing how successful other chapters' races were, noting it was a chance to bring in new supporters who might not take part in the group's other events.

It chose the name Jockey Jog because it wanted the event to be associated with something considered unique to Hot Springs: live horse racing. Bennett said many trainers, owners and jockeys support ACH.

Preregistered runners can pick up their race packets at DeLuca's Pizzeria Napoletana, 407 Park Ave., from 5-9 p.m. Jan. 6, or all runners can get their packets from 9-10 a.m. the day of the race.

Registration for the race the day of begins at 9 a.m.

Jockey Jog is set to begin and end at the Dorothy and Staton's parking lot beside Rocky's Corner, 2608 Central Ave. Runners will follow a course from the lot out past the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail and back to the lot. Public restrooms and a water fountain are available at the Greenway Trail turn of the course.

Bennett said the organizers chose that route because it goes through the heart of Hot Springs and is in an area around Oaklawn Park.

This year's race will be held in honor of the late Daniel "Bryce" Briggs, who was recently a patient at Arkansas Children Hospital's burn center. Briggs, a Lake Hamilton graduate, was taken to the burn center after being severely burned during a gasoline fire earlier this month and later died. Briggs leaves a legacy of always putting others first, a news release for the event said.

Preregistration for the Adult 5K timed race jog is $35, or $40 on the day of the race. The fee for the adult 5K Family Walk/Run is $30, or free for children 12 years old and younger. The cost is $15 for children who want a race T-shirt.

Visit http://www.jockeyjog.com to preregister.

Any remaining race T-shirts can be purchased by spectators for $20 each.

The timed run will start at 10:30 a.m. The family run will start at 10:45 a.m.

The first-place finishers from each age division will receive a medal. The overall male and female winners will each receive a free Baggo game.

In addition to the run, there will be hot cocoa, games and activities, including a firehouse for children provided by the Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation.

Last year, 424,400 patients visited the hospital, including 10,935 from Garland County, the release said. Throughout the year, the 12 Circle of Friends chapters in Arkansas hope to raise a combined $800,000 for the hospital.

Local on 12/30/2016

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