How do I register for the Hogeye Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners via RunSignup and stays open through race day, subject to capacity. There is no lottery or qualifying standard required to enter.

Is the Hogeye Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston Athletic Association entry. That said, the hilly terrain means a relatively small percentage of finishers hit the qualifying standard, so come prepared for a demanding effort.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course gains around 1,400 feet over the full out-and-back route through Ozark terrain. Climbs and descents are distributed throughout rather than concentrated in one section, so the legs accumulate fatigue steadily. The net gain is modest, but the cumulative effort is real.

When is packet pickup?

Packet pickup is available Friday, April 10 from 11am to 7pm, or Saturday morning from 5:30 to 6:40am before the race starts.

What should I expect from race-day weather?

Typical race-day temperatures in mid-April range from the upper 40s at the start to the mid-60s by late morning. Plan for cool starting conditions that warm as the race progresses, especially on the back half.

How big is the field?

Hogeye is a small race. Recent editions have seen roughly 300 finishers, which means a quiet, low-key atmosphere on the roads.

Apr 2027 · est.Fayetteville, ARSince 1977

Hogeye Marathon

The Hogeye Marathon runs through the Ozark hills outside Fayetteville on a course that asks for every bit of fitness you brought. It is a small, no-frills race with a genuine community feel and a course that rewards patience.

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HOGEYE · US

Hogeye

APR 2027

estimated

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Race Overview

EST. 1977

Hogeye is a small, unhurried race in the Arkansas Ozarks, and it will test you. The course starts in downtown Springdale on Emma Avenue and heads out into hill country. You'll feel the terrain almost immediately. It is not a flat road race pretending to be manageable. The climbs and descents come in waves on an out-and-back layout, so you know exactly what is waiting on the return. The one thing people mention afterward is the quiet. The field is small, the roads are open, and there are long stretches where it is just you and the hills. That can be meditative or brutal depending on how your day is going. Don't go out fast. The early miles feel generous and you will pay for any generosity you accept.

This is not a PR course for most runners. The elevation and terrain make it honest. A small fraction of finishers hit Boston qualifying standards, so if that is your goal, come in fit and race conservatively. Registration is open and stays that way through race day, so getting in is the easy part. Packet pickup is Friday evening or early Saturday morning before the gun. If you want a low-key, well-established race in a part of the country that does not get enough marathon attention, Hogeye is worth the trip.

Field size

~297

297 finishers

BQ rate

5%

Near national average

Time limit

7:00

Generous cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:34:18

Jeff Kent

2018

Women

2:52:59

Megan Taylor

2021

The Course

1,400 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑1,400 ft

Total descent

↓1,158 ft

Net elevation

↑242 ft

Highest point

1,392 ft

Lowest point

1,160 ft

Course shape

Out and back

Same route, both directions

Hogeye is an out-and-back with 1,400 feet of gain and a modest net gain of 242 feet, so what goes up on the way out comes back to you only partially on the return. The course sits in Ozark terrain, meaning climbs and descents are woven throughout rather than concentrated in one block. Expect rolling pressure from the start. The back half carries residual fatigue into terrain you already know is coming. A positive-split strategy is a mistake here. Go out controlled, especially on any early downhill sections that feel like gifts. The cumulative gain will cost you in miles 18-26 if you spend it too early.

DIFFICULTYHILLYPR-FRIENDLYNO

View official course map Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

48°F

High

65°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

April in Fayetteville runs cool in the morning and comfortable by midday. You will start in the mid-to-upper 40s, which is fine for racing. Dress in a layer you don't mind tying around your waist by mile five. The back half of the course can warm into the mid-60s if the sun is out, and combined with the hills that adds up. It is generally a reasonable window for effort, but don't assume it will stay cool. Hydrate from the start.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration via RunSignup through race day, subject to capacity. Packet pickup Friday April 10, 11am-7pm or Saturday morning 5:30-6:40am.

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Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

TUL

97 mi

from the start

≈ 153 min transferLonger haul

What to expect

Nearest major airport is Bentonville-Fayetteville Regional Airport, about 20 minutes from downtown Springdale. The race starts and finishes in downtown Springdale on Emma Avenue. Stay in Springdale or Fayetteville for convenient access to the start area.