This is a very hilly course with very few participants for the marathon. All of the volunteers at the water stations were very enthusiastic and encouraging! My only suggestion for next year, is that they make the mile markers on the course more visible for the runners.

Let me start by saying that I am from Arkansas and I know that we have hills. This course made use of our "natural landscape" quite well. As I understand, this was a new course designed to use more of the trail system in Fayetteville. It was very well designed, with several shorter out-and-backs that allowed runners to encourage one another. The hill at mile 24, well... it was a killer, but we had to get to the finish somehow.

The packet pick-up was well done (chair massages and a small expo) and the post-race massages were free and fabulous.

The volunteers on the course were plentiful, professional and very helpful and encouraging.

This is a small marathon, but quite friendly and well organized.

To date (3/5/08) I have run 11 marathons. I will not be returning to this one. Some aid stations didn't have any aid. Some had water and no Gatorade. Some had Gatorade and no water. Some had an empty table with volunteers who had a deer-in-the-headlights look on their face because their aid was... where???? I have never been to such a poorly organized race. I had to drop out around mile 10 due to my IT band, which just added to my disappointment.

Hogeye is a challenging course. I loved the hills especially at mile 24. I also liked the rural scenery. The water stops were well placed and most of the volunteer were friendly. The worst part of the course was finishing. Runners had to deal with traffic along Dixon St. as well as other parts of the course. Police didn't stop traffic and runners had to wait or dodge cars. There were no finisher's medals for the marathon relay. I definitely won't run the marathon relay. I'll just run the 1/2 instead and get the medal. The few supporters on the route were enthusiastic.

I did this as a back-to-back after doing Olathe, KS the previous day. Grateful for the early start and those runners who knew the course. Course had really tough hills and some flat areas. Someone told me I chose the toughest Arkansas Marathon. Just going for efficiency in doing my 50 states.

Recycled cups at water stop was a new experience for me. Saw person at next table with stack of cups in plastic sleeve. Maybe new volunteers who didn't think to share.

Arkansas runners were very friendly and encouraging to Mama Jean as they passed me coming and going. Got many "welcome to Arkansas" comments as they saw I am a 50-stater.

Finding food at the end was a new and much-appreciated experience. Lady who helped us walk last blocks gave the encouraging information. The chicken was delicious and much appreciated. Also a young man, a college student, walked the last blocks with me and the last man, chatting and ensuring we were all right. The volunteers at the top of the hill at the end of Sang or whatever street that was were extremenly helpful and upbeat, as were those at the finish line.

Someone reminded me and I stayed for the awards ceremony also. I share the comments of another runner about the awards. I was a bit surprised and disappointed at the bag and towel that it seemed every age award winner got. Still, don't know what that bag is supposed to be/do. I would expect that to come from first-time groups, not one that's been doing marathons over 30 years. Please don't do that to anyone again. Surely there are trophy shops around and they don't have to be expensive. That is what brought my organization rating down.

So there was a party afterwards??? Oh well, I was exhausted from 2 marathons and a long drive anyway.

I would recommend this race because of the friendliness and helpfulness of the volunteers and the Arkansas runners. I also expect next year's awards will be meaningful. Thanks.

I used to live along the original Hogeye marathon route which actually went to Hogeye. I was fascinated that humans could run so far over such hilly terrain! So, I was excited to be running the Hogeye (half).
I have done 3 full marathons else where and this was my 8th half so I did have a few races to compare this one to.
On the positive side I loved the windshirt instead of a t-shirt! Packet pickup was a breeze.The very few spectators were supportive. The post race food was plentiful and the grilled chicken was delicious!! Also, the free post race massage was to die for! The course, though difficult was do-able. And the finisher's medal was great!
On the negative side the health expo was not worth the time or effort in my book. No shoes or clothes or running vendors (maybe that's why they called it a health expo...duh?) They ran out of cups at one water stop and were having to give out used cups. And one stop (mile 9, I believe) was completely out of water and that was right before a tremendous hill! Many places had little or no traffic control and you had to just run out into the traffic. But the biggest disappointment to me was the age place finishers awards. When I found out I had taken second in my age group I was so proud and excited! I used to weigh 211 lbs 4 years ago so this was a huge accomplishment for me! As I waited around for the awards ceremony cheering in every last finisher, I dreamed of the plaque or medal I would receive for my effort (that's what all the other races I've been in gave). Something I could pass on to my kids, grandkids,or great grandkids (I have all). Something I could look at and remind me what hard work and determination could accomplish. So maybe you can understand I was very disappointed to find that all the age group placers, both full and half marathoners, received the same ugly yellow tote bag! It looked like something from the dollar store.
The organizers of this race were very kind and I know they try hard to make this a good race. So I hope in the future they might think about those of us who don't have shelves full of trophy's when they prepare the awards.
I'm glad I ran this race for the most part it was a good experience.

The hills seemed a lot bigger going up them then they did going down. Good course, great personnel. It may take a couple of runnings to get it right, but I enjoyed the challenge.

I've always wanted to do this 1/2 marathon. And it was everything I expected - tough! But then again, I love to run the hills, long runs, short runs... you get the point. This was a great race in that I always like to go somewhere in a big race and see a city's sites and features. I wasn't really trained up for this one and I just kind of rolled into it just off my base and triathlon training, and I was fine. Do add 15 minutes or so to your 1/2 marathon time. Time easily - that's how hilly it is. Do it again? Hell yeah - next time, though, I would like to get trained up good for it and see how I can battle it out in placements. Good luck in 2007. See you there.

Yes, there are hills, and with it being an out-and-back course, you know exactly what is coming at the end. But the course is nice, far from boring, and you do get to use all your muscles. My husband and I expected to tack on at least 15 minutes to our marathon time, but we didn't - and if we could have convinced our calves not to tighten up over the last 3-4 miles, we were both on target to PR. Great support from volunteers along the way, cozy atmosphere. Would consider doing it again because it was so small and friendly.

I live in the desert, and this race was a refreshing change of scenery. I enjoyed the scenery so much that the rolling hills did not bother me. The volunteers were great and there was lots of water and Gatorade. The spectators were very encouraging. The medals were very high quality - loved the red 1/2 maratnon one I received.

It was everything I wanted for a running event. Oh, and the free massages were wonderful, and no line!!

If there was any negative, I forgot about the post-race party that evening. It was mentioned in the website, but I missed any advertising reminders at the event. Fayetteville is an awesome town. Thank you for making my visit so perfect.