The Little Rock Marathon is a race weekend in Little Rock, Arkansas, held on the first weekend of March. It features a marathon, half marathon, and shorter events for runners and walkers. Established in 2003, it is known as “Arkansas’ Race for Every Pace.” With an 8-hour marathon limit and a 4-hour half-marathon limit, it accommodates walkers and first-time distance runners. The race supports Little Rock Parks & Recreation and provides a free year-round training program.
The marathon follows a certified 26.2-mile single-loop course starting and finishing in Downtown Little Rock. It crosses the Arkansas River and passes landmarks including the Arkansas State Capitol, River Market District, Clinton Presidential Center, Governor’s Mansion, MacArthur Birthplace/Military Museum, and Historic Little Rock Central High School. The course is hillier than many beginners anticipate, with a significant climb early and smaller inclines later. A notable tradition is the oversized finisher medal, which organizers state grows slightly larger each year. Each edition features a theme reflected in costumes, race areas, merchandise, and post-race events. The course includes unique stops like the couch potato mile and the Lipstick Stop. It was the first race in Arkansas to implement transponder chip timing.