General Information/Starting Time
2023 is the 41st annual Arkansas 20k and is scheduled October 28th; 8:00 am.
The Arkansas 20K starts and ends at the Boys and Girls club at the River Center complex in Benton. The Boys and Girls Club address is 1810 Citizen’s Drive, Benton AR 72015. If your GPS does not recognize it, use 1207 Holland Park Rd, Benton, AR 72015. The Boys and Girls Club is the second building on the right down Airlane and is clearly marked.
The race starts at 8:00 am. Early start at 7:00 am.
Runners who will take longer than 2:30 are strongly encouraged to use the early start option. The course will be marked but there won’t be any traffic control or water on the course until 8:00 am.
The early start is not intended for elite runners to beat the heat or get home earlier. If an early start participant finishes faster than 2:00 they will be credited with a finish time of 2:00 or disqualified.
Cutoff time for the 20k finish will be 11:00 am.
Runners will get a shirt. A no-shirt option is also available when you preregister. Discounts are not given to race day registrations.
Packet Pickup/Race Day Registration
6:30 am to 7:45 am race day at the Boys & Girls club.
Early start participants should promptly pick up their packet at 6:30 am.
Race Cost
| Arkansas 20k Entry Fee | Prior to September 1 | Sept 1 – Oct 27 | Race Day |
| Entry Fee | $40 | $50 | $50 |
no shirt -$5, shirts guaranteed to all registered by September 1.
Members of the Saline Country Striders receive a $5 discount.
No discounts day of Race
Course Information
USATF Certified Course AR17022WJT
The race is a very challenging course and should only be attempted by experienced runners. A 20k is 12.4 miles and this course is more difficult than most half marathons. The scale of the elevation chart below doesn’t fully represent the difficulty of the elevation change over the first five miles.
The race will be chip timed, and the chip is attached to the bib. The bib must be worn on the front and visible at all times. The course will remain open until 11:00.
Temperatures can range from the mid-50s to mid- 80s. Humidity can be high.
Aid Stations
Aid stations will be located at approximately 2 mile intervals.
Post Race Refreshments
Snack Food will be available at the finish line.
1980-2015 Course
Male Record: 1:03:43 (1984)
Female Record: 1:15:50 (1992)
Current Course
Male Record: Cameron Beckett 1:06:43.21 (2022)
Female Record: Kaitlyn Bounds 1:18:06 (2017)
Sponsors
Interested in sponsoring the Arkansas 20k?
Download the sponsor packet and become a race sponsor today!
Awards
Five (5) Deep M & F
Overall, Masters, Grand Masters, Seniors
0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
The awards ceremony will be held as soon as possible after the race.
DIRECTIONS TO Boys & Girls Club of Saline County
Westbound from Little Rock, take I-30 to the Sevier Street exit (Exit 116), cross the bridge, turn right and go down to the frontage road. Turn left on the frontage road and go just over 1/10 mile west to Airlane Drive. Turn left on Airlane. Drive just over 1/2 mile on Airlane and turn right on Citizens Drive. The Boys & Girls Club is the second building as is clearly marked.
From eastbound I-30, take the Sevier Street exit (Exit 116). Bear right on the frontage road. Turn right onto Airlane Drive which is the first right after exiting the interstate. Drive just over 1/2 mile on Airlane and turn right on Citizens Drive. The Boys & Girls Club is the second building as is clearly marked.
Race Results
*The 2020 Arkansas 20k was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic