The Saline County Striders running club was established in 1981 and is a member of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). The RRCA is the national association of not-for-profit running clubs dedicated to the promotion of running as a competitive sport and healthful exercise.

The Striders bi-monthly newsletter The Saline Strider focuses on club members and activities as well as on health and wellness.

The Striders have been presenting three competitive races per year in Benton, including the Arkansas 20K, the Arkansas Runner 2 Mile Race, and the Sunset 6-12-24 hour Challenge at Sunset Lake in Benton.   Race details can be found by clicking on "Races" at the top of the page, or by clicking on the name of the race above.   Near the bottom of each race information page is a link to online registration.

MEMBERSHIP: The membership fee is $15 per year.  The membership year runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.  Individuals who join during the year have their membership dues pro-rated based on when they join.  Memberships include all family members in the same household.  We use RunSignUp.com to manage our memberships.  If you have a RunSignUp account, you can log in and join or renew on the RunSignUp  Strider Page.   If you do not have an account,  you can create one and then join or renew.   You can also join or renew by mail using the printed Membership form.   Membership includes the bi-monthly Saline Strider newsletter along with the Weekly Strider email. More details about membership and dues can be found by clicking the Join SCS link.

We welcome runners and walkers of all abilities.

MEETINGS & FUN RUNS: The Striders normally meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.  Most of our meetings are pot-luck held at the Farm Bureau Insurance office on Hwy. 5 (Old Hot Springs Hwy.) in Benton.  We occasionally meet elsewhere. Members are notified of the meeting location several days in advance by e-mail and also normally on the Strider Facebook page.

The Striders have weekly Saturday morning fun runs and a weekly evening fun run. Details are announced on our Strider Facebook page. There are also twice-weekly informal fun runs at Hurricane Lake Estates on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 5:00 a.m.  Some start at 4:45. Park by the gatehouse.   Participation varies with the season and the weather.   Other activities will be promoted by e-mail and/or Facebook.  Check with the club officers shown below if you have questions.

SPONSORSHIP: Interested in becoming a sponsor?  You can download the sponsor packet or send us an e-mail for more information.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:  During recent years the club has been able, thanks to our sponsors and those who have participated in our races, to provide over $25,000 in donations to a variety of community organizations in Saline County, including the Saline County Boys and Girls Club,  the Saline County Humane Society animal shelter,  the Benton High School Jr. ROTC Program, the Saline County Barracudas swim team and the Bryant Youth Triathlon.  The club has also been a sponsor of various fundraising races in Saline County, including races put on by the Civitan organization, the Saline Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Benton Panther Foundation, the Saline Crossing organization, and the Birch Tree Communities.