Grit and Guts Trail Race

Grit and Guts Trail Race

Home » Races » Dardanelle » Grit and Guts Trail Race
Date
October 18, 2025
Starting Time

7:30 AM CDT

Course

Trail

Fees

$0

Location

Dardanelle

Participants

100-500

Terrain

Challenging

Environment

Mountain Views, Forested, Riverfront

Temperature
High: 75°
/ Low: 50°
Overview

The Grit and Guts Trail Race returns on Saturday, October 18, 2025, challenging runners to conquer the rugged terrain of Mt. Nebo State Park in Dardanelle, Arkansas. This free, community-driven event offers two demanding distances: the Half Grit (13.1 miles) and the Full Grit (20 miles), both starting at 7:30 AM CDT from the Sunset Point parking lot.

Participants will navigate a course that combines steep ascents, rocky paths, and flowing singletrack trails. The route includes notable segments such as the Sunset Connector, Lizard Tail, Rim Trail, Miller’s Goat, Ox Pull, and the Chickalah Loop, offering panoramic views from Sunrise and Sunset Points and traversing seasonal waterfalls and dense forests.

While the race is free, runners can purchase a commemorative Rock City Outfitters race shirt for $15. All proceeds support local cross-country teams and the Friends of Nebo organization. Aid stations are available every 4–6 miles, and volunteers are encouraged to participate.

Course Description

The race starts from the Sunset point parking lot and after a quick look at the point and a short section of the 3C trail, you’ll head down the Sunset connector and take a left onto Lizard tail. You’ll go roughly a mile on Lizard past the seasonal waterfall. Then up to the Rim trail where you’ll take a right and end up at Sunrise point for another beautiful view of the river valley. Then you’ll go down the Sunrise connector taking a right. You’ll make your way down to the Bench trail crossing and go right onto Miller’s Goat. You’re at the 5k point and will follow Miller’s 4 miles (including a water stop) to end up at the aid station. Proceed on Miller’s another mile past the Bench overlook to the Ox pull trail. Go down Ox 1.7 miles to the bottom and you’ll find another aid station to lift your spirits for the climb back up. Once you get back up turn right briefly on Miller’s to the Overlook and then stay on the Bench trail back a mile to the Aid station. If you’re doing 13 head up the Sunset connector to the finish. For the 20 you will head right down the Chickalah (pronounced like tequila!) loop trail for a mile and go left at the Y and do the loop clockwise. Then back up to the aid station one last time and up Sunset connector a long half mile to the finish. Piece of cake!

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