Arkansas Marathon Returns to Booneville October 10, Marking 58th Year of Running Along the Ouachita National Forest

BOONEVILLE, Ark. — The South Logan County Chamber of Commerce announced that the Arkansas Marathon will return to Booneville on Saturday, October 10, 2026, continuing a running tradition that dates back to 1968. The race starts at 7 a.m. from 123 N Broadway and follows a scenic out-and-back course along Arkansas Highway 23, tracing the northern edge of the Ouachita National Forest with roughly 1,150–1,600 feet of elevation gain.

This year's event offers four ways to participate: the USATF-certified, Boston-qualifying 26.2-mile marathon, the 13.1-mile Bearcat Half Marathon, a 10K, and a 5K run/walk. Community aid stations are set up at every mile of the course, and every finisher receives a custom, full-color medal designed by local high school students. Marathon registration is $95 and is open now at raceentry.com.

The race coincides with Booneville's October Daze festival, running 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Booneville, giving runners and spectators a full day of activities after the finish line.

Despite its long history — the men's course record of 2:26:52 was set in 1983, and the women's record of 2:58:34 in 1982 — the Arkansas Marathon has kept an intimate, small-town feel, with roughly 150 runners across all four races each year and full-marathon finishers typically in the teens to low thirties. Organizers point to that scale as part of the appeal: uncrowded roads, easy parking, and strong local hospitality along the entire route. Runners have traveled from more than a dozen states and countries including Japan, France, and Brazil to take part.

The race is presented by the South Logan County Chamber of Commerce with SWEPCO (Southwestern Electric Power Company) as title sponsor, Chemical Weed Control at the Gold level, and Bronze-level support from Union Bank, First Western Bank, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative, Freedom Roofing, and Jacobs & Company CPAs, along with additional Select, Patron, and In-Kind sponsors.

Runners can register and find full course details at raceentry.com. For more information, contact the South Logan County Chamber of Commerce at 210 E Main Street, Booneville, AR 72927, by phone at (479) 675-2666, or by email at director@booneville.com.

For more details visit our Marathon Page Here!