White River Marathon Reviews

  Great PR course in a small, friendly race

By wer about 2020

Review

2020 races are hard to come by, and I needed to get Arkansas for my 50 state challenge, so this was great.

Registration was capped at 750, but the half marathon shares the same course (one loop for half marathon, 2 for full). The loop does NOT include mile 1 from the start line, so the finish is at a different point, one mile from the start.

Here's why- the first mile is a steep downhill from the start down to a road that encompasses the rest of the course. You only do that downhill one time, so on the second loop for the full they move the turnaround cone a half mile down the road. The flat road. The very flat road.

So this is BQable for sure. I'd love if that first hill was four miles down, but still.

The road itself is paved and is fine. Pretty in spots, but often just a road, with the beautiful White river visible at times but also not.

Race Tips

There were no pacers, and the corral start meant people were pretty strung out quickly. The course road is NOT closed, but not real busy with cars and trucks towing fishing boats. This was a minor disruption (say 10 cars passed me in 3 1/2 hours) and no stop signs or anything, but you do have to keep an eye out for traffic.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Parking at the school at the start was plentiful. No need to arrive more than an hour before gun. I stayed at the Cotter Trout Lodge, 2 miles from the start in the very sleepy town of Cotter. It was affordable and the staff was super polite. The room was clean and had a new TV but otherwise dated. It was a nice hotel and I'd stay there again for sure. There is a little restaurant next door that had great fried chicken after the race- the White Sands.

  Awesome Boston Qualifier

By M Whitt about 2018

Review

I've ran a flat fast course before but this has to be the best. Small marathon but put together very well. It’s a two loop course so you get to see a lot of the runners at different times. It's ran along the beautiful White River in Arkansas.

  

By Rt about 2016

  

By KS about 2012

Review

Nice pasta dinner night before race,a few businesses setup with gels,clothing and shoes. Soup,chili and pizza after race was just what I needed after burning up all my fuel!

Race Tips

Flattest race I've ever done,along the White River on a paved road. Looking for a BQ,this is it!