Watermelon Festival 5K and Melon Mile

By Staff, 08/11/18 9:58 PM

HOPE- The Watermelon Festival 5K Race at the 42nd Annual Hope Watermelon Festival was off to a fast start Saturday morning, August 11. The Watermelon 5K has been established since 1978, and has been part of the Arkansas Road Runners Club of America since 1994.

Racers were here as early as six o’clock to get warmed up, and to meet with their teammates running along beside them. With the runners on the starting line waiting on the words; on your mark, get set, go from race director, Don Still. The first racers crossed the starting line at a little after 7:30 beginning the race. With family and friends cheered on their runners as they crossed the finish line. Water and a slice of ice cold watermelon were handed out to the runners for a refreshing treat after they race completed. After the 5K a melon mile run for the kids was held. The young racers were not timed they ran down and back to cross the finish line. Medals were given to all the runners as the crossed the finish line.