ARK 5K Classic - North Little Rock, Arkansas - Running

The ARK 5K Classic is a Running race in North Little Rock, Arkansas consisting of a 5K.

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). In 2010, the race moved back to Burns Park under the name ARK 5K Classic. Leah Thorvilson ran 17:32 that year to beat the old Burns Park course record. For one running of the race in 2013 the race started on Willow Street next to Dickey-Stephens Park and made use of Riverfront Drive and the Arkansas River Trail. 2014 saw a return to Burns Park and the Fun Land Loop Course. In 2015 the race changed locations once again. Still in Burns Park, the race took place on the flat roads of the Soccer Complex and the Arkansas River Trail. In 2016, the race moves to the Northshore/Cook's Landing area of the River Trail with a start and finish at Crystal Hill Elementary School.

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.