Race Highlights
- Race hosted by the Arkansas RRCA
- USATF Course Certification #AR15002DLP
- Proceeds benefit the Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series
Directions to the Starting Line
From I-40:
Take exit #150 and head east into Burns Park, heading towards the river on Championship Dr. After passing through the golf course, turn right onto Tournament Dr and drive for ~1 mile into the Soccer Complex. The parking lot for fields #1-4 are adjacent to the race registration area.
Race History
The Rivertrail 15K was started in 2003 by the Arkansas Running Klub in order to raise money to pay for more water fountains along the Arkansas River Trail. John Pankey and Alice Stewart were the overall winners in the inaugural running.
The Arkansas Running Klub was able to raise enough funds for several new water fountains, but the race ceased after the 2005 running due to venue scheduling conflicts. In 2006, local runners missed the race and grouped together to bring it back for the following year. The 2007 RiverTrail 15K was held on February 17th on the same course along the scenic River Trail. After the 2008 race, management of the 15K transferred from the Arkansas Running Klub to the Arkansas RRCA.
River Trail 15K Course Records:
- Female Overall: Leah Thorvilson – 53:50 (2011)
- Female Masters: Tia Stone – 59:44 (2019)
- Female Grand Masters: Jennifer Found – 1:03:40 (2023)
- Female Seniors: Debbie Hill – 1:18:34 (2012)
- Female Juniors: Kaitlin Bounds – 1:05:31 (2011)
- Male Overall: Daniel Jirwa – 47:40 (2016)
- Male Masters: Mark Ferguson – 51:52 (2014)
- Male Grand Masters: Karl Lenser – 55:49 (2010)
- Male Seniors: Alan Krenzelok – 59:39 (2019)
- Male Juniors: Carter Witt – 54:12 (2011)
River Trail 15k Race Results
| Year | Men's Results | Women's Results |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2004 | 2004 |
| 2007 | 2007 | 2007 |
| 2008 | 2008 | 2008 |
| 2009 | 2009 | 2009 |
| 2010 | 2010 | 2010 |
| 2011 | 2011 | 2011 |
| 2012 | 2012 | 2012 |
| 2013 | 2013 | 2013 |
| 2014 | 2014 | 2014 |
| 2015 | 2015 | 2015 |
| 2016 | 2016 | 2016 |
| 2017 | 2017 | 2017 |
| 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| 2019 | 2019 | 2019 |
| 2020 | 2020 | 2020 |
| 2022 | 2022 | 2022 |
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 |
Course Description
The race starts on Tournament Drive in the Burns Park Soccer Complex. The first half mile heads south until turning right onto Catfish Road. The course stays within the Soccer Complex for this opening mile, making another right turn onto Goalie Rd. After passing the first mile marker, the route heads onto the White Bayou Trail lining the north edge of the Soccer Complex then turns right back onto Tournament Drive. The route then moves out of the soccer complex as it passes the 2nd mile marker travels east. Runners will merge onto the paved Arkansas River Trail at the first water stop before tackling a short uphill to the Burns Park Golf Course.
A gradual downhill section moves runners past the mile 3 and 5K markers, to a wooden bridge crossing over a small creek. The route then curves right through woods of Emerald Park. The path emerges from the trees and the course covers another small uphill section to reach the Old Rock Quarry. On the flat stretch through the quarry, the course passes the 4 mile mark and enters Riverview Park.
The route continues along past River View Park on another section just adjacent to the Arkansas River, and passes the Mile 5 marker. Coming up a very short hill, the route makes a near-180 degree turn to head back west on River Road. The straight away on River Road is another very flat stretch of almost a mile. The flat terrain continues as runners return to River View Park, pass Mile 6, and head back on the Arkansas River Trail through the Old Rock Quarrey.
A brief downhill from the quarry will take runners by the Mile 7 marker and back through the woods of Emerald Park. The route passes back over the little wooden bridge to re-emerge in the Burns Park Golf Course area, heads down a short hill to reach the Mile 8 marker, then continues on Tournament Dr to the Soccer Complex. A left back onto Catfish Road and a right turn on Goalie Rd will take runners to Mile 9. From there it is just 1/3 of a mile to the finish line on Soccer Ave.
Overall the course is flat and fast with a few small uphill sections in the first half and a few small downhill sections in the second half. Except for a few sections on park roads, the race is run along the Arkansas River Trail making this the Grand Prix’s most scenic race!