Events under 'Running'

This seventh annual event will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 7:00am at the Lake Fayetteville Marina. The atmosphere of the Ladies Du Fayetteville is a unique multi-sport race experience for women athletes. We welcome women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming athletes to participate in the Du. We look forward to planning this one-of-a-kind duathlon.

The duathlon will follow a traditional run/bike/run format with the distances being 2 miles/11 miles/2 miles. The race will take place at Lake Fayetteville utilizing the paved trails around and near the lake. Participants can race as individuals or as a relay team of two or three.

Join us for this fun, point-to-point route as we explore the Razorback Greenway!

The Ozark Valley Triathlon (OVT), Fayetteville’s oldest triathlon event, returns with a bang for 2024! The two-day event, planned for the weekend of June 29-30, 2024, marks the third consecutive year for Fayetteville to host a full slate of USA Triathlon (USAT) National Championship events.

It’s only fitting that a gravel and mountain-biking haven like Fayetteville, Arkansas would be asked to host this national, championship-level gravel biking event yet again. As the most bike-friendly city in Northwest Arkansas, Fayetteville is a natural fit for mountain bikers and gravel fiends looking for new adventure as the sport continues to explode in popularity!

OVT Off-Road Triathlon, Off-Road Duathlon, Gravel Triathlon and Gravel Duathlon to be held on the same weekend as the oldest road triathlon in NW Arkansas. UPDATE - Gravel and Mtn Bike events both to be held on Saturday, June 29 at the same time.

Saturday, June 29 - OVT Gravel Triathlon, Gravel Duathlon, Mtn Bike Triathlon and Mtn Bike Duathlon events. Both off-road triathlons will have a 1,000 yard swim. Gravel bike course is 18 miles, mtn bike course is 12 miles and the triathlon run course is an epic 5 miles. Both the gravel and mtn bike duathlon run courses will consist of a 3 mile Run #1 and 5 mile Run #2 courses.

Sunday, June 30 - Ozark Valley Triathlon (road events) is hosting the 2024 Arkansas State Championships in the international and sprint distances as well as the Arkansas High School State Championship. There is a combined Club Championship competition as well. These are both road triathlon races and there will be a Aquabike, duathlon and team category (International distance only) in the Ozark Valley Triathlon.

OVT road events:

Sprint Triathlon - 400 yard swim, 13 mile bike, 2 mile run (2024 USA Triathlon Arkansas State Championship and High School State Championship)
International Triathlon (individual or teams) - 1,000 yard swim, 19 mile bike and a 4 mile run (2024 USA Triathlon Arkansas State Championship)
Aquabike - 1,000 yard swim, 19 mile bike
Sprint Duathlon - 2 mile run, 13 mile bike, 2 mile run

All events will be held at Lake Wedington Recreation Area.

Lake Wedington is located 13 miles west of Fayetteville and is one of the most natural settings for a triathlon in the region. Both spectators and participants can enjoy the natural beauty of the area and combined with unique finisher medals, post-race food, awards and prizes all make this race one not want to miss.

The Ozark Valley Triathlon (OVT), Fayetteville’s oldest triathlon event, returns with a bang for 2024! The two-day event, planned for the weekend of June 29-30, 2024, marks the third consecutive year for Fayetteville to host a full slate of USA Triathlon (USAT) National Championship events.

It’s only fitting that a gravel and mountain-biking haven like Fayetteville, Arkansas would be asked to host this national, championship-level gravel biking event yet again. As the most bike-friendly city in Northwest Arkansas, Fayetteville is a natural fit for mountain bikers and gravel fiends looking for new adventure as the sport continues to explode in popularity!

OVT Off-Road Triathlon, Off-Road Duathlon, Gravel Triathlon and Gravel Duathlon to be held on the same weekend as the oldest road triathlon in NW Arkansas. UPDATE - Gravel and Mtn Bike events both to be held on Saturday, June 29 at the same time.

Saturday, June 29 - OVT Gravel Triathlon, Gravel Duathlon, Mtn Bike Triathlon and Mtn Bike Duathlon events. Both off-road triathlons will have a 1,000 yard swim. Gravel bike course is 18 miles, mtn bike course is 12 miles and the triathlon run course is an epic 5 miles. Both the gravel and mtn bike duathlon run courses will consist of a 3 mile Run #1 and 5 mile Run #2 courses.

Sunday, June 30 - Ozark Valley Triathlon (road events) is hosting the 2024 Arkansas State Championships in the international and sprint distances as well as the Arkansas High School State Championship. There is a combined Club Championship competition as well. These are both road triathlon races and there will be a Aquabike, duathlon and team category (International distance only) in the Ozark Valley Triathlon.

OVT road events:

Sprint Triathlon - 400 yard swim, 13 mile bike, 2 mile run (2024 USA Triathlon Arkansas State Championship and High School State Championship)
International Triathlon (individual or teams) - 1,000 yard swim, 19 mile bike and a 4 mile run (2024 USA Triathlon Arkansas State Championship)
Aquabike - 1,000 yard swim, 19 mile bike
Sprint Duathlon - 2 mile run, 13 mile bike, 2 mile run

All events will be held at Lake Wedington Recreation Area.

Lake Wedington is located 13 miles west of Fayetteville and is one of the most natural settings for a triathlon in the region. Both spectators and participants can enjoy the natural beauty of the area and combined with unique finisher medals, post-race food, awards and prizes all make this race one not want to miss.

Race Course
The Dickson Street Mile will start and finish in front of George's Majestic Lounge on Dickson Street. The course will utilize Dickson Street, West Avenue, Spring Street, and East Avenue.

Introducing a brand-new running event to Fayetteville's downtown area, the DICKSON STREET MILE! Starting and finishing on Dickson Street, we hope this 1-mile race will soon become as iconic as its namesake. Several different race heats will provide a race option for everyone, speedsters, strollers, walkers, and even dogs! The race should feel like a parade, having engagement and excitement along the course for both participants and spectators.

Adults $30, Youth $15

The Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival was created to bring together three Northwest Arkansas cross-country races under a single event. The Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival is now one of the premier running events in America.

Typical Years, over 80 college teams and 120 high school teams battle for prestige and unique Chile Pepper themed awards. Additionally, 750 individuals participate in the Open Events including the Tom Lewis 1 Mile Pepper Dash on Friday Night and the Godpepper 10K on Saturday morning. The event is held at University of Arkansas’ incredible cross country course.

The course is a combination of grass, cinder and uneven terrain. SEC and NCAA Championships have been settled here - and Coach Bucknam describes it as the Superbowl of Cross Country!

The Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival was created to bring together three Northwest Arkansas cross-country races under a single event. The Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival is now one of the premier running events in America.

Typical Years, over 80 college teams and 120 high school teams battle for prestige and unique Chile Pepper themed awards. Additionally, 750 individuals participate in the Open Events including the Tom Lewis 1 Mile Pepper Dash on Friday Night and the Godpepper 10K on Saturday morning. The event is held at University of Arkansas’ incredible cross country course.

The course is a combination of grass, cinder and uneven terrain. SEC and NCAA Championships have been settled here - and Coach Bucknam describes it as the Superbowl of Cross Country!

The Hero Half Marathon is a fundraising race and community event hosted by The Spark Foundation in partnership with Fayetteville Firefighters’ IAFF – Local 2866. Race proceeds benefit organizations that meet important community needs, increase fitness opportunities for the community, and make Fayetteville and Arkansas a great place to live, work, and play.

The Spark Foundation is all about encouraging our community to get active and stay active. In keeping with our mission we have eliminated age group awards and instead will award prizes for those who best their Hero Half Marathon finisher time! We want the person who motivates you to be, YOU!

Are you an active duty FIREFIGHTER? Want to participate in our Firefighter Challenge by running in FULL bunker gear? Sign Up for the Firefighter Challenge! *Please note if you sign up for the Firefighter Challenge you are committing to running the 13.1 mile half marathon in FULL BUNKER GEAR! Please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

Looking to train for your first half or best your half marathon time?! Then sign up for our 15 week training program! Registration includes personalized run coaching, training tank, in-person meetings, and race registration!

Hero Half Marathon 5k will start at the Northwest Arkansas Mall and be an out and back course that runs towards the skull creek and mud creek train intersection then returns to the Northwest Arkansas Mall. Proceeds go to support The Spark Foundation and Fayetteville Firefighters’ IAFF – Local 2866

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The Hero Half Marathon is a fundraising race and community event hosted by The Spark Foundation in partnership with Fayetteville Firefighters’ IAFF – Local 2866. Race proceeds benefit organizations that meet important community needs, increase fitness opportunities for the community, and make Fayetteville and Arkansas a great place to live, work, and play.

The Spark Foundation is all about encouraging our community to get active and stay active. In keeping with our mission we have eliminated age group awards and instead will award prizes for those who best their Hero Half Marathon finisher time! We want the person who motivates you to be, YOU!

Are you an active duty FIREFIGHTER? Want to participate in our Firefighter Challenge by running in FULL bunker gear? Sign Up for the Firefighter Challenge! *Please note if you sign up for the Firefighter Challenge you are committing to running the 13.1 mile half marathon in FULL BUNKER GEAR! Please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

Looking to train for your first half or best your half marathon time?! Then sign up for our 15 week training program! Registration includes personalized run coaching, training tank, in-person meetings, and race registration!