22 Apr 2018 2018 Chase Race ‘best ever’

Posted at 5:36 PMh in Sports by

Sonja Keith photos

Organizers are describing this year’s Chase Race and Paws in Downtown Conway the best event to date.

Jenna Frintz and Layla. (See gallery below)

“The 2018 Chase Race & Paws was the best ever race event,” said Don Potter, Chase Race founder and race director.

The event was started in 2006 in memory of the unexpected loss of Potter’s 13-year-old son, Chase. “The event still honors and memorializes his short life of running and his love of dogs.”

Proceeds from the 13th annual event, held March 10, raised money for HAVEN (Help for Abuse Victims in Emergency Need) and Friends of the Conway Animal Shelter. Chase Race and Paws promotes and raises funds for non-adopted pets and funding for a residential group home for adolescent females who have come into foster care through no fault of their own. Organizers believe that every dog deserves a life and every child deserves a home.

“The first race had 105 participants and was able to give $4,000 back to the community,” said Potter. “This year’s event had 629 participants and was able to give $25,000 back to the community.”

The event has raised $154,000 since its beginning. 

“The race started out with an atmosphere of reverence and respect for Chase without a lot of noise, pictures, awards and refreshments,” said Potter. “But now, 13 years later, the race still commemorates Chase’s short life, but has turned into one of the more popular and unique events in the state of Arkansas.”

This year’s race had 70 sponsors, a record number. “I believe it is a record number for any race in the state of Arkansas.”

For more information, visit chaserace.info.

“We had the best weather, the best of everything this year. The race loves the city of Conway, the race loves Arkansas and its people for making a tragic event turn into a life celebration of a 13-year-old boy who is still missed every day. Thank you to the Chase Race board and all of the volunteers who make this event happen each year.”

Levi GIlbert
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