Hogeye Marathon Relay

Team Relay Competition

For the first time ever, the Arkansas Grand Prix Series will have a team relay competition. No individual Grand Prix points will be on the line, only team points. This event does not affect IronMan/IronWoman status. You do not have to be on a relay team at Hogeye to go for the 2011 Iron Award.

Each club can have as many relay teams as they want, but only a club's first team across the line factors into the scoring. Each team must be comprised of four different runners - one person may not run mulitple legs of the relay. The men's and women's team competitions are completely separate; co-ed teams are not eligible for Grand Prix points. For a scoring example, see the forum thread here.

The relay team names must have the club's name or initials in the title. For example: "4 CRC Dudes" or "Little Rock Roadrunner Chicks".

Race History

2012 will be the 35th Running of the Hogeye Marathon and the second time for it to host the Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Team Relay Competition. Pre-2003, the race course traveled from Fayetteville to Hogeye, Arkansas, and back. This was an overwelmingly hilly route, and the race was considered one of the ten toughest marathon courses in the country. In 2003, the course was brought completely into the city of Fayetteville and in the following years more and more of the route began utilizing Fayetteville's burgeoning trail system. These changes have flattened the course tremendously from the old days, though the race is still considered a "hilly marathon" by most participants. From 2004 through 2009, the Hogeye Half Marathon was part of the Arkansas Grand Prix Series. In 2010, the Hogeye Marathon was the Grand Prix State Championship Race. And in 2011, the Hogeye Marathon Relay Competition became the first ever Grand Prix relay event.

Course Description

The Hogeye Marathon (and thus Relays) featured a new course in 2011. It contains many of the aspects of the previous marathon course but with more of the route moved onto Fayetteville's Trail system. Shuttle service is available to transport relay runners to/from the start/finish area in Fayetteville Square to each of the Relay Exchange spots.

First Leg: Approximately 5.4 miles in length. A few big rollers through the University of Arkansas campus, but overall net downhill. Begins at Fayetteville Square. Ends at Shiloh and Garland near Sam's Club.

Second Leg: Approximately 6.2 miles in length. Significant hills at the beginning and end of this leg sandwich a relatively flat middle section run past the Northwest Arkansas Mall and along the Mud Creek Trail. Begins near Sam's Club, ends at the north end of the Lake Fayetteville Dam.

Third Leg: Approximately 6.6 miles in length. The third leg is an out-and-back section along the Lake Fayetteville Trail. Smaller, rolling hills highlight the course along this paved trail. Begins and ends at the north end of the Lake Fayetteville Dam.

Fourth Leg: Approximately 8 miles in length. The final leg features an uphill push to leave Lake Fayetteville Park, followed by a significant downhill to reach a flat area on the Mud Creek Trail. The course then heads south on the Scull Creek Trail where a gradual incline will take runners to several significant climbs in the last mile of the race. Begins at the north end of the Lake Fayetteville Dam. Ends at the finish line in Fayetteville Square.