06 May 2015 Toad Suck Daze Run draws more than 1,000

by Sonja J. Keith

More than 1,000 runners and walkers of all ages participated Saturday in the 32th annual Toad Suck Daze 5K/10K Run at John McConnell Stadium at Conway High School.

Proceeds from the race will benefit a variety of local non-profits – HAVEN (Help for Abuse Victims in Emergency Need), the Boys and Girls Club, Children’s Advocacy Alliance, the Conway Interfaith Clinic, CAPCA (Community Action Program for Central Arkansas), Junior Auxiliary of Conway, Braves Field and Conway High School (for track replacement).

Over the years, the race has raised more than $350,000 for local charities.

“Last Saturday was a beautiful day and the TSDR was probably the smoothest one ever,” said a race organizer Cliff Henry. “We want to thank those who participated, our volunteers and our sponsors for making this year’s run so successful.”

The event includes a 10K Run (the Arkansas 10K RRCA Championship Run), 5K Run, 5K Fun Walk and Tadpole Trot races.

Registrations for the 5K and 10K totaled 1,116, with 1,031 who completed the course. There were 218 who competed in the Tadpole Trot.

Brent Corbitt of Little Rock was the winner in the 10K, and Erika Setzler of Conway was the first female finisher. In the 5K, Markus Pearson of Conway won first place and Jackie Bacon of Searcy was the first female finisher.

St. Joseph Elementary had the greatest participation (based on percentage of enrollment) in the Tadpole Trot and will be presented with a traveling trophy and $200 for its physical education department.

The Conway Kiwanis Club is the main organizer of the event, which is supported by the Conway Running Club and Conway Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Major sponsors are TLC Pediatrics, AR Care, Academy Sports, Arkansas Eye Care Group, Conway Corporation, Kohl’s, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Nabholz Client Services, Regions, Smith Ford and The Sporty Runner.

501 LIFE and radio station Y107 are also sponsors.

For more information and a complete list of participants and their times, visit toadsuckrun.com. (See more photos in the July issue of 501 LIFE.)