Fort Smith General Darby Challenge

🏃‍♂️ Event Details

• Event: Fort Smith General Darby Challenge Event: 13.1 m Ruck: 13.1 m Half Marathon: 10K: 5K - Ruck, Run, or Walk
• Date: Sunday, April 26th 2026 at 7:00am
• Time: 07:00am - Noon CST. This is a "mass start", non-sanctioned, but timed event. Dead Stop: 12:00 noon
• Location: Downtown Fort Smith at Cisterna Park. FSGDC begins and ends at the “Darby Statue” (1001 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901)

❓ Contact Information

• Questions and/or Sponsorship: fsdarbychallenge@gmail.com or 479-783-7841
• Additional Info: fortsmithmuseum.org or darbyhouse.org
• Facebook Event Page: Facebook Event Page
• Hotels & Lodging: Holiday Inn Express: Hampton Inn: Home 2 Home: Homewood Suites: Fort Smith Riverfront RV Resort: Springhill Recreation Area & Campground

🥇 Participation and Check-in

• Mass Start: 07:00 am at Darby Statue at Cisterna Park in Downtown Fort Smith
• Check-in: Begins at 6:30 am at the Darby Statue. Ruck with 25lbs or more weighed before and at finish line.
• Ruck / Backpack Weigh-in: Begins at 06:00 at the Darby Statue / Start Point.
• Finisher Medals: Will be awarded to participants completing the challenge and special recognition to those with the best times.

🏅 Race Categories

• Ruck Division: 13.1 Mile Ruck recognizes the first 20 participants.
• Running Categories: 13.1 Mile, 10K and 5K runners, hikers and walkers will be recognized by age and gender.
• Virtual Participation: Available with finishers medal for those unable to attend in person.
• Special T-shirts: Available for purchase at registration for $20. Last day for orders is April 12th, 2026.

📅 Event Schedule

The Fort Smith General Darby Challenge will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Downtown Fort Smith, offering participants a choice of 13.1 Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K distances. For more details, visit Registration.

🌍 Honoring History

The event honors General William O. Darby and strengthens relationships between Fort Smith and its sister cities, Cisterna and Nago-Torbole. A defining moment will be the Silent Mile honoring 93 World War II Arkansans.

🎉 Darby Days Festival

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, join us for “Darby Days,” featuring family-friendly activities, historical reenactments, and more, creating an engaging atmosphere around the event.