Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon

Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon runs in Mena, Arkansas, on January 9, 2027. The trail marathon (26.2 miles) and the 17-mile Blaylock Creek Fun Run both start at 8:00 a.m. on an out-and-back from the Big Fork Community Center. Both carry serious elevation, and the organizers are explicit that these are events for experienced runners. The race is cupless, so you carry your own hydration between aid stations, and there are distinctive awards but no finisher medals.

This is a hard mountain trail day rather than a marathon in the road sense, and your finish time will not resemble a road 26.2 — plan by hours on feet, not by pace per mile. Preparation means climbing: long runs on steep, rough ground and a hydration setup you can refill quickly. Communication and medical support are in place along the course, and donations go toward the community and safety services that provide them. If a technical trail marathon would be new to you, the 17-mile is the smarter entry.