16 Oct 2019 Last opportunity to soar on Saturday in Conway

Posted at 3:59 PMh in Sports by
This year’s Soaring Wings 10K and half marathon will begin and end Saturday at the McGee Community Center in West Conway. Those living or traveling in the area are asked to keep in mind that some streets will be blocked to help ensure the safety of participants. Organizers are encouraging the community to come out and cheer for those along the race routes.

Organizers are making the final arrangements for the 12th Annual Soaring Wings Half Marathon & 10K scheduled Saturday in Conway.

This is the last year for the event.

Race directors Amanda Castillo and Marla Watson – and their team of about 300 volunteers – put on the event, which benefits Soaring Wings, a Christian home that provides security, love and hope to children in need. Soaring Wings currently has two homes for girls and one for boys, ages 6-18, as well as an infant and toddler home that serves children birth through 5 years.

Thousands have participated in the event over the years and the fundraiser has helped the ministry care for more than 300 kids.

“It has been a fantastic 12 years and we appreciate the wonderful support we have received from the running community, our faithful sponsors and our hard-working volunteers,” said Marla.

“Let’s make this year our best yet as we SOAR together one last time,” added Amanda.

EXPO

Festivities kick off with the Soaring Wings Expo planned 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center at 700 Salem Road. 

In addition, individuals can shop for the latest running gear with vendors. Local sponsors will also be on hand, including the Sporty Runner.

Packet pick up will be during the expo until 7 p.m., when the vendors close.

KIDS RUN FOR KIDS

Sponsored by TLC Pediatrics, Kids Run for Kids is planned 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center at 700 Salem Road. Registration is $10 and includes an event T-shirt, a finisher’s medal and a free Kona Ice.

The kids run is dedicated to young up-and-coming athletes who want to try out the sport of running or walking, improve their health and run for kids their age who live at Soaring Wings Ranch. There are two parts to Kids Run for Kids: the Kids Half Marathon and “Fun Runs” for kids of all ages.

RACE DAY

Packet pickup will begin at 5:30 and will close at 6:45 a.m. The 10K will start at 6:50 a.m. At 7:05 a.m., the half marathon will start in waves, beginning with wheelchairs. The awards ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the McGee Center. The course closes at 11 a.m. 

Additional sponsors are Incite Rehab, Reliance Healthcare, First Security Bank, Sporty Runner, The PI Company, Centennial Bank, BankcorpSouth, Conway Women’s Health Center, Mitchell Williams Law Firm and Dr. Robert J Parker, DDS.

For more information, visit swmarathon.com. 501 LIFE is the official media sponsor for the event.