The 15th Annual Chase Race and Paws is planned Saturday, March 7, at Simon Park in Downtown Conway.

Don Potter, event creator and director, has turned over the reins of the annual event to Compass Academy, a private, non-profit school for children with developmental disabilities or difficulty adjusting to a public school setting.

“Though we are taking over the race, the mission and reason the race was founded will remain the same and we will continue to give back to our community as Chase Race always has,” said Courtney Williams, director of Compass Academy.

Chase Race and Paws began March 11, 2006, as an event to celebrate the brief life of Donald Lee Chase Potter, 1991-2005. Chase’s parents, Don and Cheryl Potter, searched for a way to perpetually continue the legacy of their 13-year old son who loved animals and suffered from a traumatic brain injury. His parents, both runners, focused on a running event that could be partnered with pets.

The event includes a 2-mile USTAF-certified course and AR Grand Prix Championship race, a 1 mile race for kids and a 1 mile walk/run PAWS race with a leashed pet. 

On-site registration is at 6:30 a.m. on race day, with the 2-mile start at 8 a.m. There will be disposable bib chip timing with S/F mats for the 2-mile and 1-mile. 

To ensure a goody bag and event T-shirt, pre-register at compassacademyconway.org or runsignup.com.

All participants will receive a medal. Trophies will be awarded to the top five finishers in each age category for both male and female for the 2-mile, the first 15 finishers for PAWS and the first five male and female walkers. 

A family discount and youth entry rates are available. 

There will be vendors, food and family fun. 

“This year’s proceeds will go to Compass Academy and AR Animal Alliance,” said Williams. “Each year our students will do research and present a debate as to which nonprofit animal rescue organization we will give back to.”

For more information, call 501.581.1070 or email [email protected].