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ARK 5k Classic
- Runner/Walker:- Run 3.1 Miles
Race hosted by the Arkansas Running Klub.
2015 will be the 34rd running of the ARK 5K on Labor Day weekend.
Race History
The Arkansas Running Klub has held this 5K race in North Little Rock on Labor Day weekend dating back to 1982. In the early years, the race was known as the Twin City Bank (TCB) 5K and held in Burns Park. Martin Fulk and Diane Marshall won the inaugural running in 1982. Mike Clark set a then Burns Park course record in 1983, clocking a 15:15 finish. Diane Marshall won again in 1983 and 1984, setting the Burns Park female course record in '84 with a 17:55 time.
The TCB 5K joined the Grand Prix Series in 1983 - the second year of operation for both the race and the Series. After a change in sponsorship, the race was known as the Mercantile Bank 5K from 1996 to 1999. In 2000, the race course moved out of Burns Park to the North Little Rock Riverfront/Argenta area. The name was also changed that year to the ARK Fast 5K - reflecting the new course's flat topography. Minor tweaks in the course and name continued in the 00 decade as the race was subsequently known as the River Run 5K (2003), Riverfront 5K (2004-05, 2010) and the Clear Mountain 5K (2006-2009).
A source of stability amid the changes in name and course is the race's affiliation with the Arkansas Grand Prix Series. The ARK 5K has remained part of the Series (always on Labor Day weekend) every year since 1983. Along with the Spa 10K which also joined in 1983, the ARK 5K has the longest run of any race with the Grand Prix Series. The race has often served as an Arkansas State Championship event and was selected as the RRCA National Championship 5K in 1987.
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The course is an oval loop around Fun Land, the baseball fields and the tennis courts as well as the softball complex, finishing on Joe Poch Rd. near the intersection with Fun Land Drive
DIRECTIONS: From Little Rock, west on I-40 take exit 150 (Burns Park). Left at the stop sign, on Charles Boyer Dr. Right at the stop sign on to Military Dr. 2nd left at Fun Land Dr. Registration Dr Ratcliff pavilion next to the soft ball fields.
From Conway onI-40, Burns Park exit 150 on to Military Road. Turn left at the stop sign on to Military Road. Crossthe interstate. Take the second left on to Fun Land Drive. Dr. Radcliff Pavilion
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