Ready to Race: 2026 Little Rock Marathon nears pre-pandemic figures with strong registration numbers

January 15, 2026

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (January 15, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – With a little under two months to go before athletes from all over the country stand at the starting line, Little Rock Marathon officials said this week that registration numbers were 14% higher year-over-year in December and are almost back to pre-COVID numbers.

“We’re seeing so much momentum heading into 2026, and it really speaks to how special this event is,” said Geneva Lamm, Executive Director of the Little Rock Marathon. “Athletes come here for the race, but they come back for the people, the community, and the experience that makes Little Rock Marathon Weekend unlike anywhere else.”

The 2026 Little Rock Marathon Race Weekend’s events will be held February 27 – March 1, 2026.

Volunteers

Lamm said that Race Weekend still needs volunteers. “This race doesn’t happen without our army of volunteers,” she said, noting that thousands of volunteers – yes, thousands – play a crucial role in almost every part of the event. “You’ll meet amazing people, you’ll have a great time, and you’ll get to really see what it takes to make Race Weekend so special for all our athletes,” Lamm said.

Volunteer opportunities during Race Weekend range from helping with Packet Pick-Up during the Expo starting on Friday to manning the retail store and everything in between. Lamm said additional aid stations and cheer group stops are being added along the course this year. “The safety of every single person on the course is our number one priority, and this is probably one of the most fun ways to support your community and the Race,” she said.

Signing up to volunteer is simple – go to Littlerockmarathon.com/volunteers-entertainment.

Schedule of Events

Saturday morning at 7:00 am will see the kickoff to the weekend’s racing events, starting with the Little Rock Marathon 5k and Little Rock Marathon 10k races, and followed at 11:00 am by the Little Rockers Kids Marathon Final Mile and the Little Rockers All Abilities Division at 1:00 pm.

Sunday’s events start early – like 5:00 am early – for the athletes on the course who need extra time to finish the race (because we ARE the race for EVERY pace, after all). Our early starters will cross the start line at 5:00 am; then, at 7:00 am we’ll give the official start to the 2026 Little Rock Marathon and Half Marathon.

The public should anticipate and expect street closures around the course. Lamm noted that the course will continue with what officials call “hard closures” around the edges of the course that the public needs to factor into any travel they may need to make on Race Weekend. The most commonly known hard closure for people who work and travel around downtown Little Rock is the closure of LaHarpe Boulevard between State Street and Clinton Avenue – or basically the stretch behind Robinson Convention Center all the way down to the River Market.

“It backs up on Friday when people are trying to leave work, and we know it,” Lamm said, apologetically. “But we’re hoping that by getting the information out earlier this year, people will be more aware and can better plan around it.”

The entire course should be open to traffic at approximately 3:00 pm on Sunday. Marathon officials have posted comprehensive information about street closures and fully detailed course maps are available here: www.littlerockmarathon.com/course.

Little Rock Marathon Health & Fitness Expo

Race Weekend kicks off on Friday, February 27 at 10:00 am when the Little Rock Marathon Health and Fitness Expo and Packet Pick-Up open at Statehouse Convention Center. The two-day event features vendors and exhibitors showcasing products and services geared toward runners, walkers and health-minded consumers and is free to the public.

The Expo is the hub of activity for Race Weekend, and serves as a headquarters for athletes, volunteers and spectators, Lamm said. The Expo features exhibitors showcasing a wide array of products and services geared toward runners, walkers and health-minded consumers, as well as the latest advancements in distance running and walking, fitness and nutrition.

Exhibitor registration for the 2026 event is still open. A complete list of Expo vendors and registration information can be found by visiting https://littlerockmarathon.com/expo/.

EXPO LOCATION:

Statehouse Convention Center

Main & Markham Streets

Little Rock, AR 72201

EXPO HOURS:

Friday, February 27, 2026 | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 7:30 am – 5:00 pm

The Little Rock Half Marathon is presented by Baptist Health. The Little Rock 10k is presented by Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Little Rockers Kids Marathon is presented by the Hatcher Agency. This year’s Volunteer Program is presented by Bubbl’r, a new addition to Race Weekend activities. And the Little Rock Marathon Pacer and Cycling teams are presented by Liquid IV.

Contact:

Jamie Moody, Media Director
501.454.1260 | littlerockmarathonmedia@gmail.com