25 Feb 2015 Chase Race and Paws to be held at Simon Park

The 10th annual Chase Race and Paws, held in memory of Chase Potter, will be held 8 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at Simon Park in Downtown Conway.

It includes the 2-mile RRCA state championship race and a 1-mile leashed Paws Race/Walk.

The event had its beginning March 11, 2006, to celebrate the brief life of Donald Lee Chase Potter. Chase’s parents, Don and Cheryl Potter, created the race to continue the legacy of their 13-year old son who loved animals and suffered from a traumatic brain injury.

Proceeds from the event have reached $103,000 since its beginning in 2006 and have been divided equally between the Friends of the Conway Animal Shelter and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

“This is the tenth anniversary of the Chase Race and volunteers are working hard to make the event a ‘10’ in every way. In addition to being the most unique race in the state of Arkansas, there are two new events this year – microchip dogs during the event and a pet parade of adoptable dogs,” said Don Potter, Chase Race founder and race director.

The entry fee is $20 for each race or $30 for both with pre-registration. Race day registration is $25 per event or $35 for both. Online race registration is open at http://www.chaserace.info/. Entry forms are also available at The Sporty Runner, 1016 Van Ronkle St. in Conway; Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center, 700 Salem Road in Conway; Rock City Running, 10300 N. Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock; and at Go! Running, 1819 N. Grant St. in Little Rock.

Free refreshments will be available and door prizes will be given away.

The 2-mile state championship race awards a $100 cash prize to any male or female who breaks the present course records. A complimentary 2015 entry form will be awarded to anyone who breaks an age group record. Each person who registers will receive a technical shirt. Female tees will have a “V” neck this year. 

Packet pickup is planned noon to 7 p.m. Friday, March 6, at The Sporty Runner, 1016 Van Ronkle St. On race day, packets can be picked up 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. at the park.

Both races start and finish at Simon Park, located at 850 Front St. The Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series championship two-mile race is for runners/walkers only, no pets or strollers. The one-mile fun or competitive event is for runners/walkers with leashed pets. Chip timing will be used in both events. Registered runners/walkers can participate in both events.

An awards ceremony will follow the races with 189 awards to be presented.

There will also be a pet costume contest and the Conway Animal Shelter will have pets available for adoption.

For more information, contact Don at [email protected] or 501.514.4370.