Chile Pepper XC 10K

Race History

In 1988, Joe Fennel, Randy Rhine and Kelly O’Meara, the Fayetteville High School cross-country coach, were out running. Kelly mentioned that his cross-country budget was $100. In the days before development programs, there wasn't money for sports other than football and basketball. Joe and Randy were shocked and decided to do something about it. They created the Chile Pepper Running Club and from there, the Chile Pepper Run. It was originally held in May and consisted of the 10K open run only.

In 1992 three northwest Arkansas cross-country races were merged into a single event - the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival. The Chile Pepper is now one of the premier running events in America. The Festival united the Chile Pepper Run, the Arkansas Invitational - the annual LadyBack and Razorback home meet, and the Fayetteville High School's Purple Dog Invitational.

Now the Chile Pepper hosts approximately 3,500 runners and over 4,000 spectators each year. A portion of the race proceeds continues to be given to the Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville high school cross country teams.

Course Description

The Chile Pepper 10K Open is held on the University of Arkansas cross country course. The course is a combination of grass, cinder and uneven terrain. The race consists of two and 1/2 laps on a path through the fields and woods of Agri Park.

The race starts with runners lined up across a wide field in the northeast corner of the park. The racers battle for position as the field starts to narrow close to a quarter mile into the race. Near the half mile mark, the course turns right and runners face a mild incline. The course then turns right and two small downhills are crossed, along with the 1 mile marker. The course then runs next to a pond and around an open field before passing the two mile marker and plunging into a heavily wooded section. Upon exiting the woods, runners make a quick turn, fly down a hill and return to the starting area field to begin lap #2.

The second lap is the same as the first, except the uphills seem tougher and the distance seems greater as fatigue is setting in. After finishing lap #2 and once again crossing the starting area field, the 5 mile marker is reached. Only 1.2 miles remain, but the opening hill awaits as the runners must summit it for the third and final time. This third lap continues as the two before, turning right after the uphill for two small declines. The lap is then cut short, routing the runners towards the finishing area. A nice downhill followed by a curve to the right put the racers near the 6 mile point. After a wicked turn around a cluster of trees, it's just a classic dead straight away sprint to the finish line.