12 Apr 2017 Kids Run Arkansas April 21

Young people throughout Central Arkansas are making plans to participate in the Ninth Annual Kids Run Arkansas, presented by Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center.

Groovy Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is again the title sponsor for the event, planned at 6 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Laurel Park in Conway.

More than 1,000 kids and their parents from Faulkner and surrounding counties are expected to participate.

The event offers fun for the entire family, including face painting, games and more, leading up to the 1-mile and 3-mile run/walk.

Kids Run Arkansas is open to kids of all ages and parents. There is no chip timing as Kids Run Arkansas strives to promote fun and fitness in youth and family.

Each year, the schools with the highest percentage of participation are awarded scholarships for their physical education programs. In 2016, $9,000 in scholarships were awarded.

Terri Odom, the physical education teacher at Julia Lee Moore Elementary School in Conway, decided to use the scholarship money to provide students with recess equipment. “I had the grade level teachers to provide me a wish list and then I took suggestions from some of the older students,” she said. “Teachers and kids were so excited to get some things to keep them active at recess!”

For more information or to download a registration form, visit conwayregional.org/classesprograms.