25TH ANNUAL LITTLE ROCK MARATHON WEEKEND

I ran the Little Rock Marathon a week ago (03/02/25). The course had a lot of early grades with two massive climbs from mile 15 to 17 followed by a steep descent to mile 19. The road surface wasn't great for a lot of the race, although traffic control and volunteers were great. Kudos to the race director who taught the volunteers to balance cups on their hands so you could grab it on the run. My favorite part of the course was running an out and back through parkland from miles 19 through 24, albeit into a stiff headwind after turning around at mile 21. There was another hill late on mile 25 and one more for good measure in mile 26. However, it was great to stay warm before and after the race in the convention center. The biggest problem in this race was that the half-marathoners turn at mile 6 while the marathoners continued on to the airport. When we rejoined them at mile 7.5, we encountered half-marathoners who were a mile and a half behind us running much more slowly and getting in the way until mile 14. Relieved to be done with them, I next had to contend with the early starters in the marathon, who were walking. Some were very considerate, but others walked four abreast. I finished 109/1353 at 3:35, and I have never seen so many people walking in a marathon. Granted that many may have been half-marathoners at the very end, but there was a lot of dodging and weaving in this race that could be avoided if the half-marathon start was delayed. With only 1353 marathoners and many more half-marathoners, it would be much less burdensome on the faster half-marathoners to run through the many fewer slow marathoners than it was for us faster marathoners to weave through the slow half-marathoners. The medal was obscenely huge, a gaudy 3 pound hunk of medal decorated in the Mardi Gras theme. I'm waiting on the age group award to be shipped. There were adequate hotels in walking distance to the convention center, so that was advantageous, as it was 38 degrees at the start.

March 2, 2025. I ran this race today and it was great experience. I have done 30 marathons in 26 states. The course was challenging. Miles 14-17 are up hill but 19-23 are on the flat on a bike path through the rivers flood plain (you can't see the river). The pacers, water volunteers, DJs and neighborhood crowds all were enthusiastic. Chip timing was instant. My hotel was one block from the start/finish and looked down on corrals. The race isn't just Sunday. It's a weekend of events. Saturday hosts four family friendly races and this year there was a Mardi Gras parade in the SOMA district about 1.25 mile walk from start. Little Rock Marathon was a great choice for "Arkansas" and I recommend it too others.

The race is very enjoyable from the course to the spectators to post-race celebration. I appreciate the huge finishers medal. The course isn't too difficult. The hills are moderate and appear between miles 14 and 18 and at mile 25. There are plenty of aid stations throughout the race. It's fun running across the big bridge twice in the early part of the race. I think I saw spectators in every mile of the marathon, which I can't say about every medium size marathon. The expo was good. Gear check is easy. Pretty sights are sprinkled into many miles of the course. I'll always remember turning past the state capitol and seeing guys playing fiddle and banjo in the second half of the race.