05 Sep 2017 Local charities receive funds from Toad Suck Daze Run

Checks totaling $23,000 – proceeds from the annual Toad Suck Daze Run – were recently presented by the Conway Kiwanis Club to local non-profit organizations.

Runners and walkers of all ages participated in the 34rd annual Toad Suck Daze 5K/10K Run on May 6 at John McConnell Stadium at Conway High School.

Proceeds from the race benefited a variety of local non-profits – the Faulkner County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, the Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner County, the Conway School

District Athletic Department, Help for Abuse Victims in Emergency Need (HAVEN) and Miracle League Braves Field.

Over the years, the race has raised more than $410,000 for local charities.

The event includes a 10K Run, 5K Run, 5K Fun Walk and Tadpole Trot races. 

The school with the largest percentage of participants (based on enrollment) in the Tadpole Trot is presented with a traveling trophy each year and $200 for its physical education department. This year’s winner was Conway Christian School.

The Conway Kiwanis Club is the main organizer of the event, which is supported by the Conway Running Club and Conway Convention & Visitors Bureau and sanctioned by the Arkansas chapter of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA).

Major sponsors are Kohl’s, TLC Pediatrics, Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway, Arkansas Eye Care Group, Arvest, Conway Corporation, Nabholz Construction Services, Regions, Smith Ford and The Sporty Runner.

The Toad Suck 10K was started by the Conway Kiwanis Club in 1982 and held in conjunction with the Toad Suck Daze Festival. In 1984, First National Bank of Conway (now Regions) began a race in memory of a fellow employee, Randy Baker, who died of cancer. The Randy Baker 8K was conducted for two years, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. In 1986, the Conway Kiwanis Club approached Regions Bank, and the two races were combined. The Toad Suck Daze Run continues to be held in memory of Randy Baker, with proceeds benefiting non-profit agencies in the Faulkner County community.

For more information, visit toadsuckrun.com.