'Chase Race' on Saturday

The Eighth Annual Chase Race and Paws will be held 8 a.m. Saturday, March 9, starting and finishing at its new location in Simon Park in Downtown Conway.

The 2-mile state championship race awards a $100 cash prize to any male or female who breaks the present course records. A complimentary 2014 entry form will be awarded to anyone who breaks an age group record. Each person who registers will receive a red technical shirt.  

Online race registration is open at chaserace.info. Entry forms are also available at The Sporty Runner, 1016 Van Ronkle St. in Conway, and at Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center, 700 Salem Road or download from chaserace.info.

Chase Race and Paws’ event includes:

  • A quality and competitive Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series championship two-mile race. This race is for runners/walkers only, no pets or strollers. The first three overall male/female walkers will be recognized this year for the first time.
  • A separate one-mile fun or competitive event for pets leashed to their human.
  • “Paws” Pageant (best costume contest) for all pets.
  • Conway Animal Shelter will have pets available for adoption.
  • Jumping Castle.
  • ZaZa’s Pizza, hot dogs and other refreshments for all attendees.

Chip timing will also be used. Registered runners/walkers can participate in both events at a reduced entry fee.

Chase Race and Paws promotes and raises funds for non-adopted pets and research for adolescents with traumatic brain injury. All proceeds from the event benefit Friends of the Conway Animal Shelter and Arkansas Children’s Hospital for brain trauma research.

Grand Champion sponsors are Best Buy and Crain Team-Buick and GMC. Best of Show sponsors are GM, In Memory of Bob Hilton by Murrell Hilton, Smith Ford/Mercury, Team Parsley-Elizabeth and Michelle, The Sporty Runner, Tim Tyler Surveying & Mapping, Radiology Associates, Brad Banister Family Dental, Conway Urology, KOHL’s and ZaZa’s.  

Chase Race and Paws had its beginning 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 traumatic brain injury. His parents, both runners, focused on a running event that could be partnered with pets. The Chase Race provides comfort to that perpetual legacy and has continued now for eight years.