Plans are in the works for the inaugural Arkansas Duck Derby.

The hunt will support men’s health programs at Conway Regional Health System, with proceeds used for the Lodging Assistance and Guest House program for patient families who live out of town and need short-term lodging.

The inaugural Arkansas Duck Derby is a one-day hunt planned in January 2019. Each team, which will have four hunters, will compete for an elaborate grand prize that can be equally divided among the team as well as the landowner who donates property for the hunt. Organizers have secured private land in and around Conway and continue to pursue participation from others who are interested in hosting a hunt the day of the derby.

“Nothing pulls guys together like a great hunt and this also is an opportunity for us to focus on men taking care of their health, a topic that men rarely discuss,” said Thad Hardin, M.D., a family practice physician at Conway Regional and one of the derby organizers. “We are fortunate to provide comprehensive men’s health services to our community, but they do us no good if men don’t take a proactive role in taking care of themselves. So, our goals are two-fold with this event.”

Hardin joins fellow physicians Andrew Cole, M.D., and Lew McColgan, M.D., in planning the derby, in addition to executive leaders from Nabholz Construction, Conway Corporation, the University of Central Arkansas, First Security Bank, Trinity Development, JSI Partners, American Safeguard Insurance, Crain Automotive, C2 Powersports & DeBoard Electronics and Simmons Bank.

Team registration will be announced at a later date, and sponsorships are still available.

For more information, contact Marla Hambuchen at [email protected].