Run Arkansas - White River Marathon

The White River Marathon is a Boston Qualifier so if you want a semi-flat course this would be the one to race.  It starts at the top of Cotter, AR (pop 939) and you run down a hill to the base of Denton Ferry Road.  

You stay on this road for 7 miles and never go back up that hill.  It is an out and back and for marathoners you loop it twice.

This is not a race I will do again because the road slopped pretty bad in areas and it wasn't closed to traffic.  It was a little unnerving having traffic split runners.

The aid stations were nicely spaced apart but if you were a "back" runner you didn't get a whole lot of choices when you needed nutrition.  The gatorade they supplied was very watered down but there was plenty of GU packets to choose from.

They had plenty of port-a-potties if you could find one not in use.

The bling was nice.  I have received bigger medals on smaller races but all in all it was a pretty medal.  The zippered hoodie shirt is comfy and has those cool finger holes.

This race would also be good for first time marathoners because at the half marathon "finish/turn around" you could have your support team there cheering you on or giving you supplies.

White River Marathon

Me in my shirt with marathon medal