I ran the Half Marathon. Great first 9 miles and then it becomes tough. Hills keep coming and coming and coming... and I train on hills. Expo was good and well organized. Start was a little disorganized; I was near the front and never heard a gun or starter, but we all just moved forward. Plenty of water stops and pockets of spectators - mostly people in front of there homes.

This race will only get better. I would recommend it, but be ready for the hills.

The hill in the middle was long and a challenge, but not a killer. I thought the small hill between 25 and 26 was really the tough one. Waterstops were plentiful. Spectators were great, especially at the end. Fun to hear people call out to you because your name was on your bib. The race hotel gave late check-outs until 4!!!! That was appreciated. Will come back and do this one again someday.

Running along mile 10, I needed vaseline. Two MEMS bikers went by and I asked for some. They didn't have any, but rode ahead to the store, bought some and brought it back to me!!!! What service!

This was a very nice marathon with a nice but challenging course. The expo was good with a reasonable number of vendors, and the volunteers were very helpful and informative. The race course was nicely laid out providing lots of twists and turns, ups and downs, with one longgggg hill smack in the middle, followed by a much appreciated, scenic downhill. The out-and-back section along river was mentally tough, but the tailwind on return was well planned by organizers. The volunteers were excellent and much appreciated, and the police (located at every intersection) were friendly and encouraging. The water/Gatorade stations were appropriately spaced and well staffed. Local support by spectators was good in some areas, but sparse in most; however, the volunteers at intersections and aid stations were very encouraging.

The host hotel room had some problems (hair on 'clean' sheets and mouse/large bug around food bags in middle of night), but the room was comfortable and the hotel staff were very helpful. Overall, this was a very nice race (marathon/marathon relay/half-marathon/5K all at same start - I liked this) and highly recommended to others.

Newer marathon with a bright future.

Pros: Well organized. Enthusiastic crowds. Nice finish in front of the Capitol building. Diamond Bear Brewery tour.

Cons: Hills and wind took their toll.

A beautiful course and great runner support through out the course. Having your name printed on the race bib was a great thought on the part of race organizers. Having spectators yelling your name was a great boost. The downhill finish felt great and having the state capital building as a back drop was very inspiring. The hills during the first half of the course were tough, but the last half is flat except mile 25 that has one last hill to climb.

HATS OFF to the people of Little Rock and their fan support. I like the idea of having your first name on your bib, it was great for the morale of the runners and hearing your name called out. The post-party was a bit disorganized and the crowd was rude when the awards were passed out. I do believe that the race director needs to run this course... 25+ miles is no place for those hills. Overall, very good race.

What a great time... everyone was wonderful!!!!! I met a lot of nice people, what a beautiful city!! The course is hilly, more toward the end and the hill at mile 25 is just sadistic. But the finish is fantastic, I just can't describe how it is to run towards the beautiful capitol building. The shirts are great, and you get two at that, one at the pickup and a finisher. The medals are out of this world. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MARATHON!!!!!

We stayed at the Comfort Inn and they were most accommodating with a late checkout and had a great shuttle service. If you run Arkansas, this one is FANTASTIC!!!! THANKS ALL!!!!

Another fine race! The course is not for sissies, it is hilly, but the March race date made for cooler weather this year.

The expo was larger than before, with more running related exhibits. The start line was next to the finish, in the shadow of the state capitol (good for photos), a change from last year. There was more of a show before the race, as different local runners were honored. The course was basically the same as last year except for the first four miles, which took a different route over the river to NLR. The course still runs by historic and scenic sites in LR, including Villa Marre and Central High.

The fierce hill is still there, but it can be trained for, don't panic. Worse is the flat part by the Arkansas River. There was a headwind this year, and that was where the weather felt warmest--I came home with a sunburn! There is another sadistic hill at mile 24 or so, and it lasts longer than I remembered, at least half a mile.

The mood of this race is great. There is still a lot of civic pride. The spectators seem thrilled to see the runners. The runners themselves are friendy and come in all shapes and sizes and paces. There were a good number of half marathoners and relay participants. Yes, it is frustrating to be passed by fresh relay runners at mile 20, but it enhances the feeling that this is a race for everyone to try.

There is a fantastic kids race associated with this marathon. Kids get a shirt, a medal, and a special bib, as well as a finish line spread.

I walked the half marathon of this race. I was impressed by the organization. Everything was topnotch. The course was nice, but much hillier than expected. I think that the only thing it needs is a little more spectator support. All in all, a great time in a very nice city.