Cycling & running events in Jonesboro, 2026

Jonesboro Training Notes

Running: Jonesboro gives runners a small-scene setup with enough options for real base miles. The route covers 84 km and gains 37 m. 4 miles of chat trail skirt the lake's edge. Bland Park and 8 Mile Creek Trail add easy local variety. King's Ranch Ministries and Hope Found NEA show up around the race scene, while Run2Remember, the 2nd Annual Help Them Stay 5K, and Running on the Ridge make solid anchor events.

Cycling: Craighead Forest Park is the first stop for riders who want dirt close to town. Approximately 13 miles of updated mountain bike trails weave through the forest, and the beginner trail runs about 4 miles. The advanced trail runs 7 miles and tests even seasoned riders. The park has 2 miles of paved road around it for easy spins, then go south for gravel. Craighead 323 Road to Greene 326 brings cool banked corners and loose low spots. CR 372 has up and down hill, and one east-to-west gravel climb gives the legs a real check.

Season: May sets up well for cyclists, because The Skirmish starts downtown with 24, 43, 63, and 100 mile options. June keeps the riding scene moving with Ride Against Trafficking, and locals still get Thursday Z2 miles at the Native Brew Works Slow Roll, which covers about eight miles. July belongs to runners who like short, sharp heat checks, with Four on the 4th Paragould and Freedom Finishers 5K and 1 Mile on the calendar. Winter shifts the mood toward shorter loops, steady intervals, and race-pace reminders like the Jonesboro Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5k route.