Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Sept. 11, 2025 – The Purple Ribbon Project (PRP) will be hosting the 2025 Northeast Arkansas Rescue 5K Rescue Run, benefiting multiple animal rescues, in early October at Craighead Forest Park.
Race director and Purple Ribbon Project cofounder Jill Cravens said this is the first time the PRP has held this event, which will raise funds for the care and well-being of homeless pets in Northeast Arkansas. The event benefits the Arkansas Pet Savers (TAPS), Biscuit’s Legacy, and Northeast Arkansans for Animals (NAFA).
“I’ve been in animal rescue my whole life,” she said. “I’m interested in helping out the smaller groups that do a lot of the work and don’t get a lot of recognition.”
Jeaney Maxwell, a foster and volunteer for TAPS, said all three rescues have been working with Cravens to put this event together, and all benefits from this event will be split between them.
“We’re working together and it’s been a really good time meeting a lot of other people who are in the same business of saving animals. It’s interesting to see what our focuses are,” she said, noting that Biscuit’s Legacy focuses on animal cruelty; TAPS focuses on rescuing animals from euthanasia; and NAFA focuses on low-cost veterinary clinics. “So, it’s interesting… We all do the same thing, but we all focus on a different aspect of that.”
Pets are welcome at the Rescue Run; however, dogs and cats must be friendly and, on a leash, or in a pet stroller. Leashes over six feet in length and retractable leashes are prohibited.
The registration fee is $35 each ($39.44 with fees) and includes a Rescue Run T-shirt. The deadline for registering is Monday, Sept. 22. To register, click here.
Rain or shine, the run will be on Saturday, Oct. 4, with check-in beginning at 8 a.m. The race will start at 9 a.m. with the awards presentation at 10 a.m. While this event is free for spectators, donations are appreciated, Cravens said.
While participants can pick up the race packets at the event, Cravens encouraged racers to pick up their packets early. Early pick-up will be on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Red Wolf Convention Center.
Cravens said the race is open to walkers as well; however, awards will only be given to the top three male and female runners in each age group. The groups are: 18 years and under, 19-30 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, and 60 plus years.
The run will feature several other family-friendly activities, such as a small dog race for dogs under 15 inches tall and 15 pounds, various booths, an awards ceremony, and more.
“We need at least 100 participants, that’s what I want to shoot for, but we do have a lot of great sponsors and people have been very generous,” she said
Sponsors and updates can be found on the NEA 5K Rescue Run Facebook page.
