Arkansas Marathon & Arkansas 20K

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Course

(see bottom for links to maps and entry form)

The Arkansas Marathon & Arkansas 20K start in front of the Benton High School Cook Field House on Border Street.  The course then follows Sevier Street through downtown Benton, past the historic Saline County Courthouse, through residential areas, across the Sevier Street bridge over Interstate 30, and through additional residential areas.  After turning right on Hwy. 229 (Old Hwy. 67) and crossing the Saline River Bridge, the course continues out Hwy. 229 to Interstate 30.  The  course turns right before reaching the I-30 underpass and follows the westbound access road to the turnaround approximately 3/10 mile past Mountain View Road.  

Runners return by the same route and finish in front of Cook Field House. 

Although not officially certified, the marathon course consists of two out-and-back trips on the certified 20K course plus an additional 1.366 miles to be added on the second lap to reach the marathon length.     

All turns are marked with large signs with arrows.  Turns the first and last 5 miles are also staffed by cadets from the Benton High School ROTC program.   

The marathon is a very small, low key race that offers a hilly, challenging out and back course. 

The 20K, as a Arkansas Grand Prix Series race will attract a larger number of runners than in recent years and will be very competitive in many age groups.  The course will, however, remain open to slower runners and walkers. 

Temperatures can range from the mid-50s to mid- 80s.  Humidity can sometimes be high. 

The 20K is an excellent test/training run for a fall marathon while the Arkansas Marathon is excellent preparation for a fast late fall marathon as well as a challenging race in its own right .  

  General Information/Starting Time

Both races will start at 7:33am.   

Cutoff time for an official marathon finish will be 1:00pm. 

Cutoff time for the 20K finish will be 10:30am.

Traffic control for the marathon will be limited after approximately 12:00 noon.

Early marathon  starts are allowable with approval of the Race Director.  However, we cannot guarantee traffic control or that the aid stations will be open prior to the official starting time. 

Packet Pickup/Race Day Registration

6:15am to 7:15am race day

Benton High School Cook Field House, Border Street

There is no earlier packet pick-up available because the race HQ at Benton High School

is not available until race day morning. 

20K Results posted at:  www.ArkRRCA.com

Marathon Results posted at: www.ArkansasRunner.com

Awards

20K – 3 deep in the folowing categories

Overall M/F

Masters (ages 40-49) M/F

Grand Masters (50-59) M/F

Seniors (60 & over) M/F

5 year age divisions through 80 and older 

 The 20K awards ceremony will be held in Cook Field House as soon as possible after the results are available.

 Marathon – 3 deep in the following categories

Finishers medals to all marathon finishers plus overall and age group awards.

Overall M/F

Masters (ages 40-49) M/F

Grand Masters (50-59) M/F

10 year age divisions through 60 and older  

Water & Split Times

Aid stations will be located at approximately 2 to 2.5 mile intervals. 

T Shirts

T-shirts guaranteed to the first 175 pre-registered runners in the 20K

T-shirts guaranteed to the first 50 pre-registered runners in the marathon

A limited number of shirts will be available for other runners registering on race day on a first-come, first served basis.  

Registrants for whom shirts are not available will pay a reduced race day entry fee.

Although the number of shirts will be limited, there is no limit on the number of runners in either race.

Miscellaneous

Marathon participants have the option of dropping down to the 20K if desired, but will not be eligible for awards.

20K particpants may not switch to the marathon.