White River Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K for Kenya

Saturday, November 23, 2024 • Cotter, AR • Course Map

Runners get a chance to enjoy the fresh air, blue skies and mountains, lakes and trees of northern Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains region at the White River Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K for Kenya, which raises both funds for and awareness about the town’s connection with the families and children of the African village of Katito in Kenya.

The African nation is where many of those organizing the race visit and volunteer each year as part of the nonprofit organization known as World Vision. The race, as organizers point out, is considered one of the flattest and fastest marathon and half marathon courses anywhere in the U.S., which makes it an excellent race for a first-timer or runners looking to PR.

From the starting line at Cotter High School on Mable Street, runners follow the half marathon course north along Denton Ferry Road for most of the race, roughly parallel to the winding White River as well for nearly all of the way along its 13.1 miles. There’s a fairly steep downhill drop in the first mile of the course, but the rest of the way is nearly all flat and fast throughout.

The scheduled starting time for all three races is 7:00 AM, and there will be post-race awards for each race back at Cotter High School. Shuttle buses will transport runners from the finish line at the Denton RV Park back to the high school for the post-race meal and awards ceremonies.

The race is limited to the first 750 entrants for all races combined, organizers note, and there will be a 7-hour course time limit for the race.

Mist rises above the White River in Arkansas. (Photo by Thomas & Dianne Jones/flickr)

Mist rises above the White River in Arkansas. (Photo by Thomas & Dianne Jones/flickr)

Race Weather & Climate

Located in central northern Arkansas, roughly 20 miles south of the state border with Missouri and about 140 miles north of Little Rock, Cotter typically sees November temperatures that average between 35°F and 62°F, while rainfall totals average about 4.5 inches, making November the city’s second-wettest month of the year.

On the day of the race (Nov. 23), the average low is 32°F and the average high is 58°F.

Past Results

Course Map

See the White River Half Marathon course map here.

Starting Time

  • 7:00 AM – marathon, half marathon
  • 7:30 AM – 5K

Fees

  • $65 – $105 for the half marathon
  • $80 – $120 for the full marathon
  • $25 – $45 for the 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the fall 2024 running of Cotter’s White River Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K race for Kenya, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

www.whiterivermarathon.com

Comments

Ever run in the White River Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: November, Arkansas

1 comment… add one
  • Eugene De Fronzo October 23, 2018, 2:45 pm

    The race director has allowed us slower(82 years old)runners start
    early at 5:30 AM.Will be able to do so this year.
    Thank you

    Eugene deFronzo

    Reply

Leave a Comment

MENU