Back at the 5k @ the LPGA for Another Great Year

One of the events we look forward to every year

There are certain events we look forward to every year, and the 5k @ the LPGA is definitely one of them.

Brock Entertainment has the privilege of being the DJ and emcee for this event every year. It has become one of those mornings we genuinely enjoy because the energy starts building before the race ever begins.

People are arriving, stretching, finding their friends and getting ready to run. Our job is to help bring all of that together with the right music, clear announcements and plenty of energy from the starting line through the final finish.

Celebrating 20 years in Northwest Arkansas

This year was especially memorable because the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Northwest Arkansas.

The 5K has not been part of all 20 of those years, so we are not claiming we have been DJing the race for two decades. But every year the 5K happens, we are proud to be there helping create the experience.

That distinction matters, but so does the larger milestone. Twenty years is a major accomplishment for an event that has become such an important part of this community.

A new home for this year's race

For the first time, the race was held at Walmart's new Home Office Campus in Bentonville.

The new campus was a great setting for the event. It gave runners, volunteers, organizers and supporters an opportunity to experience the campus while kicking off Championship Week together.

Even though the surroundings were new, the energy that makes this event special was still there. Our role stayed the same. Keep everyone informed, play music that gets people moving, recognize the important moments and help the entire event flow smoothly.

More than playing music

People sometimes think DJing a race is just building an upbeat playlist and turning up the volume. The music matters, but there is much more happening behind the scenes.

As the emcee, you have to communicate instructions clearly, work with the event organizers, recognize sponsors and partners, make announcements at the right time and keep people engaged without getting in the way of the event itself.

You also have to read the crowd. That skill matters at a race just as much as it does at a wedding, school dance, corporate event or charity gala. You have to know when people need information, when they need encouragement and when it is time to let the music take over.

Every finish deserves a celebration

The starting area always has its own kind of excitement. People are ready, focused and waiting for the countdown. The finish line is different. That is where you see the accomplishment.

Some runners are chasing a personal record. Others are completing their first 5K. Some are running with family or friends, and others are simply there to be part of something positive happening in the community.

Every person crossing that finish line deserves to feel like they accomplished something. We work hard to keep the energy going throughout the entire event so the first runner and the final runner receive the same encouragement and celebration.

Proud to be invited back

Weddings are a major part of what we do, but Brock Entertainment has never been only a wedding DJ company. We work with schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, community events, races and private celebrations throughout Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding region.

Being asked to return to an event year after year means a lot to us. It tells us that we are doing more than bringing speakers and playing music. We are becoming a trusted part of the event and helping create an atmosphere people want to experience again.

Congratulations to the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G on 20 years in Northwest Arkansas. We were proud to return for another 5k @ the LPGA and help bring the event to Walmart's new Home Office Campus for the first time.

Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, runners and everyone else who brought the energy this year. We were glad to be part of it again, and we are already looking forward to next year.