The Arkansas Chapter of the Road Runners Club of America continues its long tradition of supporting competitive and recreational running across the state with the release of the 2026 Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series. Now entering its 44th season, the annual series brings together races hosted by RRCA affiliated clubs, offering runners a full calendar of events that reward consistency, participation, and performance.
Spanning the entire year, the Grand Prix Series features a wide range of distances and formats, from short track and road races to longer endurance events. For many Arkansas runners, the series provides structure and motivation to stay engaged through all seasons while connecting with running communities across the state.
“This is the 44th series,” said Lennon Bates, chairperson of the Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Committee. “We did have to pause in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID, but the series has a long history and continues to be an important part of running in Arkansas.”
What Is the Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series
The Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series is a points based competition made up of selected races hosted by RRCA affiliated clubs. Runners earn points based on their finish relative to other Grand Prix participants, with standings tracked throughout the year for individuals and teams.
To be eligible for awards, runners must complete a minimum of five of the nineteen races. Scores are calculated using a runner’s top five championship races and top five non-championship races, with championship events carrying greater point values.
“Championship races are worth more points,” Bates said. “We take the top five of each type, add those together, and the highest score wins.”
The series offers age group awards, overall men’s and women’s awards, and team awards for RRCA affiliated clubs. Runners who complete every race in the series are recognized with an Iron Season award, a long standing tradition that highlights dedication and endurance.
2026 Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series Events
The 2026 schedule includes races across multiple cities and distances, giving runners opportunities to earn points throughout the year. Events stretch from Springdale to Lonoke, and Texarkana to Clarksville, with distances ranging from one mile to 26.2 miles.
The season opens on January 25 with the One Hour Track Run in Russellville and concludes with the Jacob Wells 3 Bridges Marathon on December 5 in Little Rock. In between, runners will find familiar favorites alongside newer additions, including second year events like the Peach Festival race in Clarksville and the SOMA Street Mile in Little Rock.
“We have races that range from one mile all the way to a marathon,” Bates said. “That variety is what makes the series work for so many different runners.”
The 2026 series also includes a team only relay event, the Hogeye Marathon Relay in Springdale, a format that has appeared in past seasons but is not offered every year.
While the calendar has been set, not all races have opened for registration or have updated information on their websites.
Why the Grand Prix Series Matters
For decades, the Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series has played a key role in building and sustaining Arkansas’s running culture. It encourages runners to travel, support local clubs, and experience different courses and communities while maintaining a friendly but competitive atmosphere.
For experienced racers, the series offers a structured season long competition. For newer runners, it provides an accessible entry point into organized racing and club involvement. Team scoring adds a social element, strengthening ties between clubs and encouraging runners to show up for one another throughout the year.
As the 2026 season approaches, the Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series once again offers a roadmap for runners looking to stay active, competitive, and connected across Arkansas, continuing a tradition that has shaped the state’s running community for more than four decades.
See the full calendar here: 2026 Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series.
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