This year the race offered a third medal for doing both the half and 5k. The 5k started at 8:15pm,which gave us plenty of time to drive in from Memphis (about 3 hrs). the packet pickup for the half that same night was open til about 10p.The half marathon packet pickup has two lines based on last name. I did love the ability to change the shirt size if it was too large. There was a 5k shirt, a half pullover and a race shirt. Prior to race start, there was a large photo backdrop and numerous props, kiddie areas vendor booths, food trucks and other areas to occupy time. The 5k glow run had a table with various glowing wearables to use during the race. 5k course was nice that went thru the Russellville school campus. The half marathon began at 7:30am. However, the 3:15 pace group will start earlier at 6:30 am. The only catch is that you are not allowed to pass the pacer until 7:30a. I chose the early start as this is my 3rd half and my prior races were 3:15 and 3:16. The course was very scenic. I have never seen a course filled with so many people cheering. I mean there were people everywhere. All of the faster pace groups were so supportive as well when passing on the route. The course ran past a lake or river (not sure but its beautiful as you come down a slight hill). The Arkansas Tech campus is also very beautiful.

Just to let you know, there is a large overpass/bridge at mile 12! Man that bridge was brutal for me at that point. Prior to crossing the bridge, there was a water station. The water was cold and gatorade as well. My favorite thing was the volunteers spraying water from misting bottles and passing out wet paper towels.

finish line is full of cheering spectators/family/friends. post race pizza, chocolate milk, water, sports drinks. Half marathon medal given you cross. The challenge medal was available at the location where the packets were the night before. Simply provide name and they verify. ample photo ops, food trucks and vendor booths. We ate at this spot right near start line called Big Daddys Bar-be-que.. OMG!!!! you have to try it if you do this race.

Overall a great race, I would most definitely do it again next year if my race schedule allows.awesome town and energetic and plentiful course support.

This year the race offered a third medal for doing both the half and 5k. The 5k started at 8:15pm,which gave us plenty of time to drive in from Memphis (about 3 hrs). the packet pickup for the half that same night was open til about 10p.The half marathon packet pickup has two lines based on last name. I did love the ability to change the shirt size if it was too large. There was a 5k shirt, a half pullover and a race shirt. Prior to race start, there was a large photo backdrop and numerous props, kiddie areas vendor booths, food trucks and other areas to occupy time. The 5k glow run had a table with various glowing wearables to use during the race. 5k course was nice that went thru the Russellville school campus. volunteers at the water stations, music blasting, and flashing lights. Lots of interaction between runners/walkers and volunteers. The residents of the town were also out on their lawns cheering as well. Very hospitable!!! The weather was slightly warm this weekend. So I would advise packing a warm weather outfit in addition to other items as some may not know that Arkansas weather can be unpredictable.

Great family race. The only minor detail is that some areas a dark (small town=limited street lamps). Despite this, everyone is glowing so getting lost is not an issue. Enjoyed the race!!

Overall a great race, I would most definitely do it again next year if my race schedule allows.awesome town and energetic and plentiful course support.

Pros:
- GREAT expo. Lots of vendors available. If you forgot any race gear, you could possibly pick up a replacement while at the expo

- Nice tech tee. although the sizing was a little large

- We stayed at the Little Rock Marriott. Which is actually connected to expo location. You can enter the convention center from the lobby of the hotel. Hotel was right next start line as well as finish line.
Numerous restaurants in walking distance. The hotel did notify us at check in that car (you have to valet) would not be available until after 10am on race day. Happy Hour drinks in the lobby. Large room for great price.

-ample parking lots nearby

- Great race support all along the course with both the aid stations. I saw lots of signs on the course. nice costumes on the course for the theme this year (GAME ON)

- scenery was okay

- Plenty of porta-potties at the start and on course.

- Nice finisher's medal. This is little rock after all!

- Relatively flat course Great course for a PR. (I beat my previous 10k from RNR Nola that was only 6 days prior)

Cons:

- The roads weren't the worst but some spots were potential hazards

- There were set corrals but some didn't follow this

Overall, this was amazing race and I would recommend it to anyone considering running this race. I will be back for 2017 since its their 15th anniversary

I initially decided to start my half fanatic attempt with a May race. Then decided the Southern heat would be brutal. So I added Germantown as my 1st, found an April Race and kept the May race that's in MS. Most of the runners in my local group did not provide good feedback on this race. Despite this, I kept it on my schedule. I did 3 long runs in the area to familiarize myself with the neighborhood. for the past week there has been a ton of flooding in the city and the area near the race course was hit HARD. Work up this morning feeling pretty good with little to no nerves. around mile 2 I noticed the course was going the opposite was from which I had trained ( i trained uphill). this was okay. By mile 3 my ankle issues showed its head. by mile 6 i was back in my groove. hit the time just right with my training time. by mile 9 i was feeling good still. at this point crowd support was almost non-existent. I'm kinda slow but there were plenty of others behind me. As I approached mile 10 i knew this is where he challenge would start as I had not run anything over 10 miles. pace was still good (14min which is my average). by Mile 11 the leg cramp hit me. OMG never have I ever felt anything like this. My goal was to 3.5 hrs as I did not know what to expect. by mile 12 both legs were cramping. During the 1:1 intervals, i would stretch my calf on the curb. As I round the corner approaching mile 13 I saw 3 familiar faces. My Black Girls Run coordinators were cheering me on. One even pushed me through that last stretch. After crossing the finish line I was so proud of myself, throbbing calves and all.

Someone stated after the race that the original course had been changed due to flooding. not sure of this was true. This is a very hilly and challenging course. Not sure if I will repeat it next year.I do love supporting local races so who knows.

The 10k course was awesome. Fast and flat. I set a PR on this course. I did not experience any issues with the roads and I have initially thought I would. Finished in the beautiful park that we had visited that Saturday before. 10k had a separate finish line than the half/full runners. No issues at the finish line. I hate crowded finish areas. Especially if I'm coming in fast and trying to avoid the finish line volunteers or people standing there looking for friends/family. The finish festival was noce. Enjoyed the photo ops. compared to a few other races I've done, the lack of food was somewhat of an issue for me. The Expo was not all that great to me. Same vendors I've seen in Jan during the MS Blues and Louisiana -Baton Rouge races. I am tempted to complete the RNR Nola half next year but I have heard a lot of negative feedback on the course (mainly the roads). The lack of start line Shuttle from the hotel was an issue but not one that would keep me from registering again. Post race shuttle was fast despite the long lines of runners waiting for transport. Overall it was a great race.