Cow Paddy Run

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

• Event Date: 2026-05-16
• Location: Gulley Park, Fayetteville, AR
• Race Options: There’s a 5K for adults and older kids and a 1K Fun Run for the little ones.
• Tradition: The name is just part of the tradition of this race, which has played a big part in developing Fayetteville’s pro-fitness, pro-fun culture over the years!

💡 Mission and Support

• Focus: The Cow Paddy Run produced by The Spark Foundation focuses on helping students and families build habits for an active, healthy lifestyle.
• Pay-Your-Age Program: We offer a “pay-your-age” program for runners 5-12 and proceeds directly support physical education in local schools.
• Accessibility: All runners get a chip time, participant shirt, and finisher’s medal.
• Atmosphere: We do not offer overall or age group awards for these events, but rather focus on the love of running by creating a fun, family-friendly atmosphere!

📍 Course Maps

• 5K Course: 5K Strava Map — The course uses the paved loop around Gulley Park and the grass loop by Apple Seeds. Parents are encouraged to run with your child!
• 1K Course: 1K Strava Map — Parents are encouraged to run with your child! The course uses the paved loop around the gazebo and the grass loop by Apple Seeds.
• Safety Measures: We will have directional signs and volunteers at turns, roads soft closed to traffic, a bike lead and sweep, and an aid station at the halfway point.
• Review: Please review the course with your child and run with them if you are able.

🏆 School Participation Prize

• Eligible Schools: Both elementary AND middle schools in Fayetteville are eligible for the annual participation prize!
• Participation Prize: 1st Place — $2,000: 2nd Place — $1,000: 3rd Place — $500
• Mighty Moovers Award: A $500 participation award for schools with fewer than 350 students for the most participants among eligible schools.
• Engagement: Make sure your students, teachers, parents, alumni, friends and family all select YOUR SCHOOL to be in the running for highest Cow Paddy Run participation.

📧 Scholarships and Registration

• Accessibility: Race fees can be prohibitive, so we offer scholarships to make running accessible to everyone.
• Contact: For details, please email director@:mysparkfoundation.org.
• T-Shirt Guarantee: To guarantee a race T-shirt (short-sleeved cotton with winning design), you must register and select a size no later than April 10th, 2025.
• Extra Shirts: We will have some extra shirts available on race day, but please register before April 13th, 2026, to ensure your T-shirt in your desired size.

❤️ Community Impact

• Proceeds: All proceeds benefit The Spark Foundation, a Northwest Arkansas-based nonprofit focused on creating a positive impact in the community.
• Goal: We aim to provide increased access to health and fitness education and opportunities.
• Join Us: Thank you for joining us in helping people of all ages, paces, and abilities build the habits for a healthy, active lifestyle.
• More Information: More information about The Spark Foundation, its programs and other races can be found at www.mysparkfoundation.org.

🔗 More Details

• Registration Link: Register for the Cow Paddy Run