A forthcoming series of walk/run races in Central Arkansas is presented by members of the Black Community. Those races are:
Paint the Path Purple for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness 5K
Omega Prostate Cancer Awareness 5K
Stride for a Cure 5K
Arkansas Rasta Fest 5K & 10K
Each event—open to all fitness levels—raises awareness for an important cause while promoting the value of health and wellness.
PAINT THE PATH PURPLE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS 5K
This race takes place on Saturday, September 5, at 7 a.m. at Murray Park in Little Rock. In what is the inaugural year of the race, not only is there a 5K, but there’s also a 1-mile race for youth 12-and-under.
Stervin Smith, Sr., founder of the 501 SoleRunners walk/run group, established Paint the Path Purple to bring awareness to pancreatic cancer. He lost his father to pancreatic cancer in 2023. Therefore, the race honors Smith’s dad and all Arkansans who have passed away due to the disease. The event will feature signs along the race route recognizing some of those individuals.
“It was past time for the 501 SoleRunners to present a race — and we’re now doing it,” Smith said. “As active as we are in the community supporting races and other community events, it was way past due. It was on me to go ahead and present the race, especially to bring awareness to a disease that has impacted not only my family, but so many families in Arkansas.”
The race is sold out. However, volunteers and people willing to cheer on the racers are needed. Smith expects the race to be a fun kickoff to Labor Day weekend.
“I would love for people to come out and learn more about the disease and provide support for the race participants,” he said. “Paint the Path Purple is family-oriented, and we want everyone involved, no matter the age, to be intentional in addressing their mental health and physical health. We also want to promote the importance of people loving one another and supporting one another, especially when a family is dealing with something like pancreatic cancer.”
OMEGA PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS 5K
The 14th annual edition of this race will take place on Saturday, September 12, at 8 a.m. at Murray Park in Little Rock.
The race, presented by the Pi Omicron chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., highlights the impact of prostate cancer in the black community. Jay Hartman, chair of the event, is passionate about increasing the recognition, discussion, education, and promotion of yearly prostate cancer screenings.
According to Hartman, over 90% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer never demonstrate a symptom. Hosting the race is one way the Pi Omicron chapter emphasizes the importance of getting tested for the disease.
“Reports show that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States, accounting for about 11% of cancer-related deaths in men,” Hartman said.
“Our 5K Run/ Walk is a race for which all proceeds are donated in support of The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation (APCF) and also scholarships for high school students through Omega’s of Greater Little Rock Foundation,” he said. “Our donation to APCF is targeted to help support free screenings and distribution of information and material across Arkansas.”
Hartman, whose mother passed from breast cancer in 2011, said in 2025 the chapter raised $ 7,500 for APCF to assist with screening. They also donated over $12,000 in scholarships to college freshmen. They’re hoping to match or surpass those numbers this year.
“Everyone knows someone that has been impacted by some form of cancer,” Hartman said. “As a participant, donor, or volunteer, you can make a difference and support a worthy cause in honor of that individual. You don't have to cross the finish line to make an impact. We welcome donations and volunteers to help make this year's race a success.”
Registration is ongoing until 6:45 a.m. on the day of the race. For more information, visit www.omegas4pca.org.
STRIDE FOR A CURE 5K
The third annual Stride for a Cure 5K will take place in downtown Little Rock at 521 President Clinton Avenue on Saturday, October 3, at 8 a.m.
Established by Kim Leverett, PharmD., the race — which is for people of all ages and fitness levels — was created as a means to honor survivors, bring Central Arkansas’ walk/run community together, provide a sense of hope, promote the value of a health-conscious lifestyle, stress the importance of early detection, and cancer prevention.
Leverett, a breast cancer survivor, said that this race is extremely personal.
“I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in 2013 and went through chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation,” she said. “That experience changed my life and gave me an even greater appreciation for health, prevention, and the support of community. I wanted to turn one of the hardest seasons of my life into something that could bring hope to others. Stride For a Cure gives us an opportunity to honor survivors, remember loved ones we have lost, support those who are still fighting, and encourage people to be proactive about their health through education, movement, prevention, and early detection.
“Every year when I see survivors crossing the finish line, families walking together, volunteers serving, and people honoring loved ones they've lost, I'm reminded why this race exists,” Leverett said. “As someone who survived cancer, I never take those moments for granted.”
Leverett is also motivated to present the race professionally. As a pharmacist, Leverett has interacted with people from all walks of life who are dealing with illness and hoping for relief and answers to their questions. Currently, as owner of A Kick Above Fitness, she’s helping people take preventive measures to avoid chronic illnesses and cancers linked to obesity.
“Wellness isn't about perfection,” she said. “It's about helping people understand that the small, consistent choices they make each day can have a meaningful impact on their health and quality of life.”
Unfortunately, there are barriers that make it difficult for too many Black Arkansans to properly maintain or improve their health. Thus, Leverett and her race organizers are collaborating with a multitude of health organizations not only to support the event, but to raise awareness about cancer prevention, early detection, screenings, survivorship, and available resources.
“As a Black woman, breast cancer survivor, pharmacist, and fitness professional, I'm especially passionate about reaching communities that have historically experienced higher cancer mortality and lower screening rates,” she said. “Our goal is simple: to bring our community together, remove barriers to education, encourage healthier lifestyles, and remind people that every step we take toward prevention and early detection can save lives.”
Register for Stride for a Cure 5K: https://raceroster.com/events/2026/116058/stride-for-a-cure.
ARKANSAS RASTA FEST 5K & 10K
The sixth annual Arkansas Rasta Fest 5K & 10K is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at 8 a.m. at the North Little Rock Riverfront Park.
The event focuses on promoting mental health awareness.
“The goal is to remind people that they are never alone,” said Ebony Kelsey, founder and director of the race.
The event promotes healthy lifestyles while creating conversations about mental health. The race uses the positive spirit and vibrant colors inspired by Jamaican Rastafari culture to unite people from all walks of life.
Kelsey enters a state of bliss when pondering the growth of the race.
“Seeing the Rasta Run come to fruition each year – it's a dream come true,” she said. “After years of working with other races, creating my own event allows me to inspire, encourage, and celebrate people as they accomplish something they never thought was possible.”
For good reason, Kelsey passionately advocates for mental health awareness. It’s a situation that hits close to home as she’s intentional about addressing her own mental health. Kelsey aspires to spread a message of unwavering hope and no shame regarding mental health. Ultimately, that’s why she encourages walkers and runners to support the Rasta Run.
“It’s more than a race — it's a movement,” she said. “Every registration, sponsorship, donation, and volunteer helps us raise awareness for mental health, build stronger communities, and remind people that they are never alone.”
Register for the Rasta Fest at https://runsignup.com/Race/AR/NorthLittleRock/ARRASTARUN.