Texarkana Arkansas School District Hosts Roy Walker Relays

Annual track and field event honors beloved local coach

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Texarkana Arkansas School District is hosting the annual Roy 'Doc' Walker Relays track and field event on Thursday, February 26th at Razorback Stadium. The meet, originally called the Hog Relays, was renamed in 1981 to honor Coach Walker who devoted 35 years to coaching in the district, including leading Arkansas High School to three straight state championships from 1978-1980. Admission is $5, and the community is encouraged to come out and support the local athletes.

Why it matters

The Roy 'Doc' Walker Relays is a longstanding tradition in the Texarkana community that honors the legacy of a beloved local coach who helped develop countless young athletes over his 35-year career. The event continues to bring together schools from across the region to showcase their track and field talent.

The details

The Roy 'Doc' Walker Relays will feature field events starting at 3:30 pm, followed by the 3200-meter run at 3:45 pm and the remaining running events beginning at 5:15 pm. Participating schools include Arkansas High, Magnolia, Pine Bluff, Ashdown, Lafayette County, Mineral Springs, and Glenbrook High School. Coach Walker was known for instilling his 'Three D's' philosophy of Discipline, Dedication, and Desire in his athletes.

  • The Roy 'Doc' Walker Relays will take place on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
  • Field events are scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm, with the 3200-meter run at 3:45 pm and remaining running events starting at 5:15 pm.

The players

Roy 'Doc' Walker

A beloved coach who devoted 35 years to the Texarkana Arkansas School District, including 21 years at Booker T. Washington High School and 14 years at Arkansas High School. As head track coach, he led Arkansas High to three straight state championships from 1978-1980 and a state runner-up finish in 1981.

Razorback Stadium

The venue where the Roy 'Doc' Walker Relays will be held in Texarkana, Arkansas.

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The takeaway

The Roy 'Doc' Walker Relays is a cherished annual event that honors the legacy of a beloved local coach who made a profound impact on generations of student-athletes in Texarkana. The community's continued support of this track and field meet demonstrates the enduring importance of sports in bringing people together and celebrating shared values.