08 Aug 2012 'Biggest and best yet' Toad Suck Run

by Sonja J. Keith

With a record number of participants, it came as no surprise that this year’s Toad Suck Daze 5K/10K Run raised a record amount for local charities.

The Conway Kiwanis Club and Regions Bank are the main organizers of the event, which is also supported by the Conway Convention & Visitors Bureau.

At Wednesday’s Conway Kiwanis Club meeting, checks totaling $30,250 were presented to eight organizations – the Faulkner County Boys and Girls Club, Faulkner County Day School, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, City of Hope Outreach, Community Connections, Junior Auxiliary of Conway, the American Red Cross and HAVEN (Help for Abuse Victims in Emergency Need).

Over the years, the race has raised $302,175 for local charities.

Run committee chairman Cliff Henry described this year’s event as the “biggest and best yet” and announced that 1,848 registered for the 29th annual event, which was held at John McConnell Stadium at Conway High School.

The Tadpole Trot attracted nearly 300 participants.

For the third year in a row, Conway Christian School had the largest percentage of participants (based on enrollment) in the Tadpole Trot. The school won $200 for its physical education department. CCS representative Spencer Hawks accepted the cash prize at the meeting.

Other sponsors of the event include Kohls, Academy Sports, The Sporty Runner, Regions Bank, Reliance Healthcare, Smith Ford, Jason Rapert for Senate, Linda Tyler for Senate, Arkansas Eye Care Group, Bruce Hendricks Construction, Central Baptist College, AAA Insurance – Joe Pruett Agency, Jay Bernard State Farm Insurance, Patterson Eye Care, Denver Prince Family Rentals, Banister Family Dental, Nabholz Construction Services and Conway Urology.

The run is held in memory of Randy Baker.

For more information, contact Kevin Wish, race committee member, at Regions Bank (501.450.4786) or visit toadsuckrun.com.