Monday, September 21, 2015

Registration Continues for ‘Runnin’ Dogs & Cookin’ Cats’ Events at ASU Mid-South

Registration continues for the Greyhound 5K run/walk, catfish cooking competition, Spirit Cheer
Contest, and WIFFLE® Ball Classic scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, at Arkansas State University Mid-South. Runners and catfish cookers will vie for more than $1,500 in prize money at the event.

“Runnin’ Dogs & Cookin’ Cats” (catfish) features the traditional 5K (now in its fourth year), Pup Dash, and Kids’ Zone inflatables as well as a catfish cooking contest, cheering competition, live music by local bands, arts and crafts, Cornhole skills challenge, and food/concessions. All of the fun and games will be held on ASU Mid-South’s North Campus at 2000 West Broadway in West Memphis.

Money generated from the day’s events will go toward athletic scholarships for ASU Mid-South Greyhound basketball players. Since the inception of the 5K in 2012, the college has raised more than $38,000 to give area athletes an opportunity to compete against teams from Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Missouri.

Southland Park Gaming and Racing returns as the presenting sponsor of the 5K for the fourth year, and Flash Market is a platinum-level sponsor. Gold sponsors include Crittenden County Chiropractic Clinic, Evolve Bank & Trust, Forrest City Medical Center, LSI Staffing, Steele-Guiltner Tire Pros, and Tier 1 Group.

For the fourth consecutive year, Start 2 Finish, one of the premier health-oriented event
management companies in the region, will coordinate the Greyhound 5K. The event features a
flat/fast track around, through and near the campus. Registration fee for the event is $25 through
Oct. 2, and $30 on race day (Oct. 3). Registration is available at http://greyhound5k.racesonline.com/register.

ASU Mid-South and Crittenden County high school students qualify for a discounted rate
of $15.

 The top three overall male and female finishers will take home cash awards ($250 for first, $100 for second, and $50 for third), and all participants will receive custom-designed Tshirts.

Runners and walkers who complete the course will receive finisher medals.

The Pup Dash returns for 2015, and youngsters of all ages will compete in this just-forfun 400-meter event. All paid participants will receive a T-shirt and an award. The race fee is $10.

For people who want to support the scholarship effort but don’t want to walk or run, the college is offering “Spirit Runner” registrations which include a custom-designed T-shirt. The fee is $15.

The Catfish Cooking Competition, sponsored by CenterPoint Energy Arkansas (presenting sponsor) and Southland Park, is open to all teams interested in showcasing their skills at preparing the classic Southern delicacy. The top catfish frying teams in the region will battle for bragging rights and cash prizes while competing in a variety of specialty categories.

The entry fee is $100 and includes 12 pounds of boneless catfish fillets and participation in the People’s Choice event and two categories – Fried Catfish and Anything Catfish.

Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded for the best Fried Catfish and Best Anything Catfish -- $250 for first place, $150 for second place, and $100 for third place.

Additional competition categories (a $10 fee for each) include Catfish Tacos, Hushpuppies, Catfish Appetizer, and Anything Fried (mushrooms, pickles, Twinkies, and donuts, to name a few possibilities).

Entry deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 29. Contact Elizabeth Williams, ASU Mid-South Director of Development, at (870) 733-6764 or ecwilliams@midsouthcc.edu for additional information and/or an application form.

The Kids’ Zone features an inflatables “park” that is free and open to all youngsters interested in having some bouncing fun.

Adults interested in some friendly competition are encouraged to register for WIFFLE® Ball or Cornhole games. Teams will pitch, and try to hit, perforated plastic balls for fun and athletic supremacy, and Cornhole enthusiasts will toss bean bags – well, actually corn bags – toward the target in hopes of compiling the best score in this popular backyard activity.

Cheerleading teams of various ages (8 and up) will develop customized cheers for the ASU-Mid-South Greyhounds and will perform them for judges and spectators. The winning teams will have the opportunity to present their routines during Greyhound basketball games this fall. The entry fee is $25 per team.

For folks who like live, free music, the Oct. 3 event will feature local bands, including The Players, an energetic and versatile group spanning a wide range of music styles and genres. The four-piece band has played everything from storybook weddings and corporate events to festivals and concerts.
When popular local bands are not on stage, KWEM Radio music will fill the air.

Additional event sponsors include APAC, Arkansas Distributing, Barton PowerSports, Barton’s of West Memphis, Brian’s Heating & Air, Crittenden Publishing/Evening Times, DanMar Propane, Fenter Physical Therapy, Fidelity National Bank, First Community Bank of Eastern Arkansas, Ritter Disposables, Steve’s Auto Body, The Landers Firm PLC, The Works Health & Fitness, West Memphis Fence Company, and Willowbend at Marion.

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