First Soaring Wings Half-Marathon to take place in Oct.

Combining his love for running and service, a local do-gooder hopes others will follow his lead literally by racing in the first Soaring Wings Half-Marathon.

The event will take place Oct. 25 in Conway, with proceeds going to benefit the Soaring Wings Christian Home and Ranch, a 195-acre ministry located in the Holland community. The ranch provides a home to abused and neglected children ages 6 to 17.

Dustin Speer, the race's volunteer chairperson, said he developed the idea after realizing there were few options for long-distance running in central Arkansas.

"There aren't any longer distance races in Conway at all, so a half-marathon was the first thing that came to mind," he said. "That way, we won't be competing with anyone else."

A runner himself, Speer said the race was a productive way to get people interested in the ranch while raising money at the same time.

"I've gone to church with Andrew Wilson, the founder of Soaring Wings, for awhile, and I have friends who work at the ranch. We were looking for ways to help make an impact."

Speer said the ranch doesn't accept federal or state help, and operates solely off private donations.

"The money raised will go to the general operating fund," he said, adding that the ministry remains debt-free.

The race course will begin and end at the McGee Center. An interactive course map is available on the Web site, www.swhalf.com.

"The course will be open for four hours to allow all of our runners and walkers to finish," Speer said.

Those interested can attend Saturday's cookout behind Central Baptist Church on Dave Ward Drive.

"Attendees will hear more about the race, their training programs, meet their group leaders and hear about Soaring Wings Ranch," he said.

Registration began July 1.

"We expect 200 to 300 participants, and with mail-in registrants, we currently have over 60." Speer said.

Though pleased with the community's response, Speer said little advertising has been put into the half-marathon other than e-mail and mailings.

"We did get a few fliers and race packets out at the Toad Suck race and the Women Can Run 5K, but we haven't done a lot other than word-of-mouth," he said.

Financial support came from Vestcom, the Little Rock-based company where Speer works as a project developer. Other local sponsors include Incite Rehab, First State Bank, Regions Insurance, Rock Pond Solutions and Advanced Physical Therapy.

Speer said he is also looking for additional corporate sponsors.

"We believe other people will help."

Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center decided to pitch in, providing a free training program for interested participants.

Amanda Polk, head of marketing and corporate relations at the fitness center, said sessions will begin at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, with following sessions at 6 p.m. each Tuesday and 8 a.m. each Saturday.

"We currently have 64 registered participants, with 48 from Conway," she said.

Registrants in the training program will have the opportunity to benefit from free educational seminars, Polk said, adding that they will take place 15 minutes prior to the sessions.

"Dieticians will come speak on nutrition and the benefits of strength training," she said.

The sessions will be tailored to each individual's ability, with one for walkers, beginner, intermediate and advanced runners.

"They vary in length and tempo," Polk said. "There are specific coaches for each level."

While the money will benefit children, the actual race is limited to people ages 14 or older.

"It's for liability. Doctors say it can be detrimental for people younger than that age, so it's a safety issue," Speer said.

However, youth can still participate, as there will be a 1-mile kids' race.

Past fundraisers have also been athletically based. A golf marathon was held earlier this year at the Centennial Valley Golf Course in Conway, in which individuals raised money based on how many holes they made, Speer said.

Mandy Beardon, executive administrator at the ranch, said she didn't believe any other fundraisers were planned for the year.

"We do hope to start contributing for a scholarship funds so that the children who finish the program have support available for them," Speer said. "Or if they want any job training, financial support will available."

(Staff writer Jerrica Ryan can be reached at jerrica.ryan@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1266. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit.)