Marathon Details - Arkansas Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > AR > Booneville > Arkansas Marathon

Arkansas Marathon

Arkansas Marathon & Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K

Booneville, AR USA

October 12, 2024

http://www.arkansasmarathon.run

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2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

Out and back course going south on Highway 23. Starts downtown and finishes at October Daze Fall festival.

Contact Information

Name:	Philip Blankenship
Address:	97 East Main Booneville, Arkansas 72927
Phone Number:	479-849-5855
Fax Number:	479-675-0760
Email:	Email the organizers

Race Organizer

Thank you 2017 runners (10/16/17)

Philip Blankenship

We would like to thank all the runners who came out and ran the 49th Arkansas Marathon. It is the runners who make the event special. THANK YOU!

Runner Reviews (26)

Course 3.8

Organization 4.4

Spectators 2.7

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Number of comments: 26 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

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P. W. from AR (10/10/2021) "Low-Key Awesome" (about: 2021) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arkansas Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race was very well-organized and run by friendly staff and volunteers. The web site is easy to navigate and has all the key info. I never needed to contact the race director with any questions. Packet picket on race morning was easy breezy; it literally took 30 seconds. They started us on time just at daylight. I loved the low-key, uncrowded start, and the different distances started 10 minutes apart. The course was out and back on a two lane highway with small shoulders. There was a fair amount of traffic but lots of law enforcement and signage alerting drivers to runners on the road. Parts of the course were well-shaded, and parts were full sun, but there were plenty of aid stations - nearly every mile. I was impressed that they had 3 different flavors of Gatorade, and the volunteers were great about finding out what you needed as you approached and having it ready for you. The roving aid station vehicle was also a really nice touch! The hills were not as bad as I expected. They were long but not particularly steep. Views were not all that spectacular, but I don't mind rural routes. The finish line was in the middle of the October Daze festival downtown which added excitement. I was handed cold water and a cold towel along with a large, beautiful finisher's medal and an additional first place medal. They had pizza, beer, coffee, fruit, and chocolate milk for post-race refreshments and were offering rides to a nearby church to shower. This event had all the amenities of a big city race (and more personal touch) but without all the hassles.
J. S. from Fargo ND (12/31/2018) "Great marathon" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arkansas Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great small town marathon in a beautiful part of the country. It's a very beautiful, rugged, mountainous area. The race is no frills which add to its character. The people, food, hospitality, organization, volenteers and other runners are great. So is the course. There are some monster hills on it so be in shape. It's a road course which is marshalled but open to traffic so be alert to what you are doing at all times. Having Miss Arkansas at the finish was a pleasant surprise.
J. A. from Fort Smith, AR (10/18/2017) "Great Race & Bling! Plan to come back for 50th!" (about: 2017) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was a race with good course. I was concerned about traffic on Hwy, but felt course was well marked for motorist to be aware of runners. A little bit earlier start would help with heat and traffic. BLING! It was great! I plan to return for the 50th! People were friendly and encouraging. I am a speed walker and completed the half marathon.
C. G. from Fort Smith, AR / San Francisco, CA (10/16/2017) "Loved the course." (about: 2017) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Loved the course and race size. Bling was awesome! Might could have started a little earlier. It got pretty warm and the traffic picked up as the hours went on. 5k didn't seem to have a water stop. But after that they were spaced okay. I'm coming back next year!! I ran the 1/2 this year maybe full next.
S. B. from Fort Smith, Arkansas (10/16/2017) "Will definitely do this one next year!" (about: 2017) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It was a good route - out and back on Hwy 23. The only area I worried about was bridges that had limited area to cross but traffic waited for us to clear. Volunteers had been out and swept the bridges clear of debris! I would have liked a little more information in emails about packet pickup but still was able to locate everything easily. Most water stations were great with water, gatoraid and snacks. One even had water misters they were handing out! Only one water station was out of water but they did still have plenty of gatoraid. As far as spectators this is on a highway in the country and other than water stations and the start and turnarounds (these were very cheerful and encouraging!) there were no spectators. They had showers at the finish and a festival with food and drinks. The medals were AWESOME! Place medals were also nice. I look forward to running their 50th next year!
P. E. from Camden, Arkansas (10/16/2017) "Fantastic run, had a blast!" (about: 2017) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second half-marathon and loved the small town feel. The attention paid to the runners was personal and friendly. Loved the course, well marked and well staffed. The finish area had all the amenities one could ask for, along with cool finishing medals. Look forward to running it again and perhaps I will be ready for the full marathon next year.
R. F. from Arkansas (10/11/2016) "The 48th running of Arkansas marathon" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Arkansas Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 For a small race, in a small town, the Arkansas Marathon has great organization. The course changed this year. It's still an out & back, but it goes south on State 23 & back to downtown. The downtown start/finish area offer a good place to register and stay warm. And when you finish, there is a street festival going on, one block over - good food, cars, music & stuff. Great finisher medal and tie dyed shirt. I asked about aid stations and was told 5 (10 for out & back), but I'm sure there were 3 or 4 more. They had a competition for best aid station & were well staffed & supplied with sports drink, water and many snacks. The course was a two lane highway with small-medium sized shoulder. But the law enforcement officers did a tremendous job with their constant presence. There was very limited traffic for the first 3 hours, but it picked up a little around noon, but I never felt unsafe. I even had my own private police escort for the last 5 miles. After finishing and receiving my cool spinner medal, the race director put me in a golf cart and drove me 2 blocks to a church for a shower, giving me towel, soap, shampoo, and chocolate milk. Very nice. This a good course, with 4 hills (150-170') in the middle third of marathon. But one of the nice downhills, at mile 16 gave a GREAT view of Mt Magazine. Thanks Booneville.
C. D. from Greenwood Arkansas (10/10/2016) "Loved it" (about: 2016) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It was my first 5k and i loved it. Was a great one to start with.. Me and my husband and kids are all going to try to do it next year..
Sarah Moore from Bastrop, Texas (10/10/2016) "Beautiful with amazing volunteers" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arkansas Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course was challenging and beautiful. The volunteers, organizers and Law Enforcement were over the top with their hospitality. This race is a hidden treasure. Run it and enjoy everything.
K. H. from Arkansas (10/10/2011) "Small race, not enough water stops" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arkansas Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 ran the 2011 Arkansas Marathon at Booneville. Not nearly enough water stops,,,first one was at Mile 4,,next one was at Mile 8!! Should have started an hour earler. Race entry fee was high,,$60 pre-registered,,$90 day of. Only 29 runners, but it was chip-timed which was a waste. I saw that last year there weren't enough water stops. Also the awards were downtown, so u had to drive down there to get them. No finishers medal. At least there were showers afterward.