St. Francis Gravel Classic March 2 and 3 at Mississippi River State Park

St. Francis Gravel Classic March 2 and 3 at Mississippi River State Park

Event includes 55, 25 and 12-mile Bike Rides & 25 and 12-mile Runs in St. Francis National Forest

From Pam Routh

pamrunsraces@gmail.com Mid-South cyclists and runners who are eager to bike or run the new Mississippi River State Park, 2955 Arkansas State Highway 44 near Marianna, Ark., have the perfect opportunity at the St. Francis Gravel Classic on March 2 and 3. The event consists of three separate bike rides of 55, 25 and 12 mile distances on Saturday and two separate runs of 25 and 12 miles on Sunday. Both events will be staged on gravel roads starting at the Mississippi River State Park and continue through the St. Francis National Forest. P.R. Event Management is producing the weekend events.

On Saturday, the 55-mile bike ride begins at 9 a.m. followed by the 25 and 12 mile rides which both begin at 10 a.m. The rides are all on gravel roads with the final five miles of each ride on paved road State Highway 44 to the post ride party and participant vehicles. Cyclists may ride any kind of bicycle as long as it has front and rear brakes and is not motorized. The first three male and female riders who finish in each distance will be awarded prizes from sponsors and park hosts. All bike participants will receive a custom- designed long sleeve T-shirt and be treated to a post-ride party with Jones BBQ, beans and slaw, Flat Hat beer, fruit and cookies. Early bike registration is $65 which increases to $70 on February 25.

On Sunday, the start time for runners in both the 25 and 12 mile events is 8 a.m. The course for both runs is on gravel road with the last five miles paved. The first three runners who finish in each distance will be awarded prizes from sponsors and the park hosts. All run participants will receive a custom-designed long sleeve T-shirt and be treated to a post-run party with chili, vegan chili, vegetable soup, Flat Hat American Ale, fruit and cookies. Early run registration is $65 which increases to $70 on February 25.

Event sponsors are: Peddler Bike Shop Memphis, Bikes Plus Memphis, Bike World Collierville, The Bikesmith Memphis, Outdoors, Inc., Flat Hat Beer, Jimmy Reed/Marx-Bensdorf Realtors, Memphis Health + Fitness magazine, Sonic Drive-In of Marianna and Blair Parker Design.

Register for all events at http://runsignup.com/Race/ AR/Marianna/StFrancisGra velClassic.com.

For additional information, go to pr-event management. net. P.R. Event Management produces fun and safe sports experiences that draw awareness, exposure and monetary support for the many charitable organizations with whom they partner. Founded in 2015 by principal owners Wyndell Robertson and Pam Routh, a husband-wife team with 30 years experience in managing sports events, P.R. Event Management organizes 5Ks, half marathons, triathlons, duathlons, cycling and adventure racing for clients across the Mid-South.

Folks from all over will be heading to Marianna in March for the Mississipppi River State Park’s St. Francis Gravel Classic.

Photo courtesy of Arkansas Parks & Tourism