Little Rock Marathon

Little Rock, United States of America 1 Mar, 2026

The Little Rock Marathon is an annual race in Little Rock, Arkansas, established in 2003 as a fundraiser for the city’s Parks and Recreation department. Traditionally held on the first Sunday of March, it has grown from just over 2,500 registrants in its first year to attracting more than 10,000 participants by the early 2010s.

The marathon route starts in downtown Little Rock, traversing through notable neighborhoods and landmarks. Key segments include the River Market District, Quapaw Quarter, William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park, Little Rock City Hall, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Philander Smith College, Central High School where the Little Rock Nine desegregation crisis occurred in 1957 the Arkansas State Capitol, and Murray Park, with the finish in Riverfront Park. The course is designed for logistical ease, allowing spectators to follow participants without significant difficulty.

A distinctive feature of this marathon is its annual themed approach, reflected in race atmosphere, participant costumes, event decor, and related festivities. Each year a new theme influences the design of the event, contributing to a celebratory and creative environment. The marathon is also recognized for awarding what is reputed to be the world’s largest finisher’s medal, which has become a sought-after collector’s item in the running community. For example, the 2015 medal measured over 8 inches and weighed more than 3 pounds, and organizers continue to increase its size annually.

The event is known as a race for every pace,accommodating athletes of all abilities, including walkers and first-time marathoners, thanks to a generous time limit of 8 hours for the full marathon and 4 hours for the half marathon. There are associated races catering to a wide range of ages and fitness levels, including shorter distance runs and a children’s event. The Little Rock Marathon offers a free training program to further promote accessibility and health in the community.

In summary, the Little Rock Marathon distinguishes itself through its historic and culturally significant route, inclusive policies for participants of all abilities, highly themed annual presentations, a famously oversized medal, and its origin as a local initiative supporting public recreation and parks.

Generic Marathon Time This represents the time you would expect to run a "generic" marathon in. This is a marathon with around 250 m (800 ft) of elevation gain and a temperature around 10°C (50°F). For best results, use our Race Predictor.

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Little Rock Marathon Time


Statistics

Elevation
Elevation Gain 319 m 1047 ft
Elevation Low 70 m 230 ft
Elevation High 154 m 505 ft
Weather
Expected Temperature (Low) 7°C 44°F
Expected Temperature (High) 17°C 62°F
Chance of Rain 17%

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The Little Rock Marathon is an annual race in Little Rock, Arkansas, established in 2003 as a fundraiser for the city’s Parks and Recreation department. Traditionally held on the first Sunday of March, it has grown from just over 2,500 registrants in its first year to attracting more than 10,000 participants by the early 2010s.

The marathon route starts in downtown Little Rock, traversing through notable neighborhoods and landmarks. Key segments include the River Market District, Quapaw Quarter, William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park, Little Rock City Hall, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Philander Smith College, Central High School where the Little Rock Nine desegregation crisis occurred in 1957 the Arkansas State Capitol, and Murray Park, with the finish in Riverfront Park. The course is designed for logistical ease, allowing spectators to follow participants without significant difficulty.

A distinctive feature of this marathon is its annual themed approach, reflected in race atmosphere, participant costumes, event decor, and related festivities. Each year a new theme influences the design of the event, contributing to a celebratory and creative environment. The marathon is also recognized for awarding what is reputed to be the world’s largest finisher’s medal, which has become a sought-after collector’s item in the running community. For example, the 2015 medal measured over 8 inches and weighed more than 3 pounds, and organizers continue to increase its size annually.

The event is known as a race for every pace,accommodating athletes of all abilities, including walkers and first-time marathoners, thanks to a generous time limit of 8 hours for the full marathon and 4 hours for the half marathon. There are associated races catering to a wide range of ages and fitness levels, including shorter distance runs and a children’s event. The Little Rock Marathon offers a free training program to further promote accessibility and health in the community.

In summary, the Little Rock Marathon distinguishes itself through its historic and culturally significant route, inclusive policies for participants of all abilities, highly themed annual presentations, a famously oversized medal, and its origin as a local initiative supporting public recreation and parks.

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