MSCC Sets Greyhound 5K Fundraiser for October 4

Mid-South Community College, in collaboration with Southland Park Gaming and Racing and Start 2 Finish Event Management, will host the Third Annual Greyhound 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 4. Proceeds from the race will go toward scholarships for MSCC student-athletes.

The Greyhound 5K, which will start and finish on the Mid-South campus in West Memphis, is expected to attract hundreds of participants, from serious runners to families with strollers. The 2013 race drew more than 400 registrants from 31 cities and towns in Arkansas, Colorado, California, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Southland, which helped fund the start of MSCC’s intercollegiate athletic program with a 10-year, $250,000 pledge in 2010, is once again serving as title sponsor for the popular event.

“We are continuing our efforts to make the Greyhound 5K a premier event in the Mid-South, and the generous commitment from Southland has paved the way for a first-rate production,” said Diane Hampton, MSCC Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

“Our vision includes expanded distance options for runners and a possible connection with the Harahan Bridge project as we move forward. We see the Greyhound running event as something that will continue to generate positive energy in our region.”

In addition to Southland, other contributors to the event include Evolve Bank (Platinum sponsorship); Flash Market, Inc., Ford of West Memphis, and Steele-Guiltner

Tire Pros (Gold); Arkansas Distributing Company, Barton Powersports, Comfort Suites, Fenter Physical Therapy, First Community Bank, State Rep. Deborah Ferguson, and Steve’s Auto Body & Towing (Silver); and Acme Pest Management, CareerPro Drug Screening, Fogleman Firm, LLC, and Greenway Equipment Company.

The 3.1-mile walk-run features a flat/fast route that highlights MSCC’s north and south campuses and takes runners through the neighborhood west of the Meadowbrook Country Club.

The 5K will begin and end at the College’s $9 million Marion Berry Renewable Energy Center. MSCC is also hosting a “Pup Dash” for younger runners, and a kids’ play area will be available as well.

Post-race events will include free drinks, fruit, power bars, and other snacks, as well as booths by local vendors who will display products/services.

Registration fee for the 5K walk/run is $20 through Sunday, Sept. 28, and $25 Sept. 29 through the day of the race. The cost for the Pup Dash is $10. Online and mail-in registration options are available at http://greyhound5k.racesonline.com/register.

Mail-in registration forms must be postmarked by Sept. 28, 2014. Participants who select this option will need to fill out their information online, print the application, and send it in with their check. Online signup, which includes electronic payment options, closes at midnight on October 2.

All entrants will receive a Greyhound 5K T-shirt. Awards will be given in the following categories: Top 3 Male and Female Winners, Top Masters Male and Female, Top Grand Masters Male and Female, and Top 3 in age categories 9 & Under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, and 65+.

For people who want to support the scholarship effort but don’t want to walk or run, the College is offering a “Spirit Runner” registration which costs $15 and includes a race T-shirt.

Start 2 Finish, one of the premier health-oriented event management companies in the region, will manage and chip time the run. S2F will provide top-of-the-line technology including touch-screen kiosks so participants can look up their time at the end of the race, live video feed of the finish line activities, and flat-screen TV monitors scrolling up-to-the-minute race times to make the Greyhound 5K a first-class event.


Area businesses interested in joining the effort have the opportunity to become sponsors at various levels. For sponsorship/general information about the Greyhound 5K, call Kathy Bennett at (870) 733-6866 or email her at kbennett@midsouthcc.edu.