A special training program will get under way soon for those planning to participate in the 11th Annual Soaring Wings Half Marathon & 10K in Conway.

The Soaring Wings Half Marathon and 10K, planned Saturday, Oct. 20, benefits Soaring Wings Ranch, a Christian family home that provides security, love and hope to children who need a chance, through no fault of their own, for as long as they need it. 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.

Marla Watson and Amanda Castillo serve as co-race directors.

The Soaring Wings training program begins Saturday, Aug. 4. Individuals are encouraged to sign up for the training program online. The cost is only $15 and participants will receive a free tech training shirt.

There will be a local training group led by Amanda, a certified personal fitness instructor and certified running coach. “This year, we will have one training schedule that is appropriate for ALL levels,” said Amanda. “We will also have a wide variety of paces represented by our training leaders, including dedicated walker leaders, run/walk interval leaders as well as running leaders from a variety of paces, up to 8:00/mile. You will find a group to meet your training needs!”

The training program will meet at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center at 6 a.m. Saturdays beginning Aug. 4. The deadline to receive or order a training shirt is Wednesday, July 18.

For individuals who live out of town and cannot participate in the local training program, training schedules will be posted on the event website to complete on their own.

More than 20,000 have registered since 1997 for the event. The first half marathon in Conway soon became a must-do race for both local runners and those around the area. Since its inception, this event has allowed both walkers and runners to train harder, run farther and push their limits – all for a great cause.

Both events begin and end at the McGee Community Center in West Conway. The 10K starts at 6:45 a.m. and the half marathon at 7 a.m.

In addition, there is a Kids Run for Kids half marathon and fun runs. The Kids Run for Kids is a great opportunity to introduce children to the sport of running. It will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center. The events will begin in the south parking lot and continue on the Tucker Creek Trail.

The expo will also be held at Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center.

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