2026 Little Rock Marathon

Whether you’re an Olympic all-star or an absolute beginner, the Little Rock Marathon and its associated races offer a great experience for every runner.

Founded in 2003, and held annually the first weekend of March, the Little Rock Marathon includes its signature 26.2-mile and 13.1-mile races on Sunday, as well as a 10K, 5K, and a race for kids on Saturday. The Little Rock Marathon bills itself as “a race for every pace,” and features an eight-hour time limit for the marathon and a four-hour time limit for the half marathon.

The marathon takes place on a USATF-approved single-loop course and is an official qualifying race for the Boston Marathon. The marathon course takes runners (and walkers too) by some of Little Rock’s most iconic sights. These include the Arkansas State Capitol, the Clinton Presidential Center, historic Robinson Center, the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion, and Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

Little Rock loves its marathon, and runners are treated to enthusiastic crowds and engaging entertainment throughout the course. Fair warning though, the best crowd support is found on the route's toughest section ascending Kavanaugh Boulevard.

Customers at a booth inside the Little Rock Marathon Expo Center looking at glasses.

2026 Little Rock Marathon Details

When: February 27-28, March 1, 2026

  • February 27-28: Expo and Packet Pick Up
  • February 28: Little Rock 5K, Little Rock 10K, Little Rockers Kids Marathon, Little Rockers All Abilities Final Mile
  • March 1: Little Rock Half Marathon and Little Rock Marathon

Route Details

Click here for a map of the marathon route.

The Little Rock Marathon Health & Fitness Expo

This FREE two-day event hosted by the Hatcher Agency will kick-off the festivities. This year's Expo will showcase over 50 exhibitors featuring an array of products and services tailored for the health-minded, alongside the latest in distance running, walking, fitness, and nutrition.

Expo Location:
Statehouse Convention Center
Main & Markham Streets
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Expo Hours (new hours):
Friday, February 27 | 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 28 | 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Go Big

The Little Rock Marathon is perhaps most famous for its large and extravagant medals; the biggest in the world, in fact. Race organizers make sure they get (slightly) bigger each year and they weigh almost three pounds, giving a whole new meaning to Medal Monday. The medals always correspond to a central theme which changes each year. Past themes have included outer space and aliens, board games, the totally tubular 1980s, pirates, and 1960s hippies.

The Little Rockers Kids Marathon

The Little Rockers Kids Marathon was launched in 2004 in response to the growing concern over our children’s health and the increasing childhood obesity rates. Since that time, more than 94,00 children across the country have taken part in the Little Rockers Kids Marathon Final Mile and free training program.

The Little Rockers Kids Marathon allows children – first through sixth grade – the opportunity to enhance their physical activity by following a fun, simple running and/or walking program while focusing on reaching a goal.

Kids are encouraged to run 25.2 miles on their own, at home, or at school, and then come to Little Rock to run their final mile as one large group.

Little Rockers All Abilities Final Mile

The Little Rockers All Abilities Final Mile is a non-competitive event for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and/or physical disabilities.

Participants run, walk or roll at least 25.2 miles in the weeks leading up to race weekend. Then on race day, they complete their marathon on the official Little Rock Marathon course.

Other Events