Arkansas Grand Prix VIII introduced the Team Competition. A total of five teams competed with the Little Rock Roadrunners Club men's team sweeping all five races to win the inaugural challenge with the South Arkansas Running Club taking second place. The women's team competition featured two clubs, the Little Rock Roadrunners and the Spa Pacers. Each club won two races to end in a tie for first place. 1989 was also noteworthy as the first year of the annual Arkansas RRCA Awards. Runners were recognized in 7 different catergories. Grand Prix VIII consisted of the same race lineup as in 1988:
Rock Run 8K
Twin Cities Bank 5K
Caddo River 15K
Arkansas 20K
Spa 10K