One of Central Arkansas’s most beloved fall trail races is returning with a new producer, a Halloween twist, and the same gritty spirit that has defined it for over a decade. The Race the Base Trail Run is set for Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, and this year promises all the fan-favorite features with a few fresh additions.
The 4-mile loop course winds around the base of Pinnacle Mountain, just west of Little Rock. Starting on gravel, switching briefly to paved paths, and finishing on nearly three miles of rocky, technical singletrack, the race delivers a true Arkansas trail experience beneath the park’s dense hardwood canopy. But the steep surprise toward the end keeps runners talking year after year.
Known as “Joe’s Revenge,” the notorious hill climb gains 200 feet in just a third of a mile up a rugged forest road. This year, the segment gets its own spotlight with a King and Queen of the Mountain award for the fastest uphill runners. The descent from there to the finish is, quite literally, all downhill.
At the finish line, top competitors receive the event’s signature trophies — hand-painted “rocks” awarded to the top three male and female runners in multiple age categories.
This year’s event also coincides with National Trick or Treat Day, observed on the last Saturday in October. Runners are encouraged to come in costume, with a lighthearted costume contest and silly prizes adding to the celebration.
For young adventurers, the morning includes the Kingfisher Kids Run at 10 a.m., a free, no-pressure dash along the ¾-mile paved Kingfisher Trail. Children ages 12 and under are welcome, with parents invited to walk, run, or stroll along.
A Short History of Race the Base Trail Run
The Race the Base Trail Run, an annual event at Pinnacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock, Arkansas, began in 2012. It was initiated by Lisa Mullis, a local runner and then a board member of Partners for Pinnacle, the beneficiary organization for which the race serves as a fundraiser.
Typically held in November, the approximately 4-mile course takes runners on a challenging and scenic loop around the base of Pinnacle Mountain, incorporating a mix of paved trails, gravel roads, and technical single-track sections. The event has grown from a grassroots effort among friends to a well-regarded local race. Over the years, it has garnered support from various local sponsors and has been known for its unique awards, created by Parkview High School Art Students and led by art teacher Rodney Bailey . While initially organized primarily by Mullis and Partners for Pinnacle, in more recent years, Fleet Feet Little Rock has taken on a significant role in the race’s organization. The Race the Base was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has otherwise been a consistent fixture for trail runners in Central Arkansas.
There have been many groups involved in the success of Race the Base for many years including Partner’s for Pinnacle (volunteers and support), The Little Rock Hash House Harriers (food and volunteers), Central Arkansas Master Naturalists (trail maintenance), David Breen (post-race beer source) and of course, the Pinnacle Mountain State Park staff (pavilion and parking).
A New Chapter Begins
After 12 years under the stewardship of the nonprofit Partners for Pinnacle, the last two with support from Fleet Feet Little Rock, the event’s production will now be managed by the Ozark Foundation, an organization known for hosting recreational events across the state that emphasize access, health, and community.
“I know the race is in excellent hands and am excited to keep the tradition alive with the friends who join us year after year,” said Lisa Mullis, past Race the Base organizer. “I look forward to seeing the event’s expansion and welcoming new faces to the base trail. Let’s keep the adventure going. I’ll see you on the trail!”
Brannon Pack, senior director of operations for Ozark Foundation, echoed that enthusiasm: “We’re excited to carry on the rich trail running tradition that has been established at Pinnacle Mountain State Park,” he said. “Events that create healthy and enriching outdoor recreational experiences, like the Race the Base trail run, align with our foundation’s mission to elevate Arkansas as a better place to live, work, and play.”
The race also kicks off a weekend of outdoor excitement, as Ozark Foundation’s Capital City Enduro mountain bike race follows on Sunday, October 26, creating a two-day festival of fall trail fun at Pinnacle Mountain.
Know Before You Go
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Race Start: 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 25
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Location: Stuckey Field (Barrett Road and Hwy 300), across from Pinnacle Mountain State Park
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Kids Run: 10 a.m., free, no registration required
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Awards: Top three overall male/female, plus age divisions: under 19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, and 60+
Registration opens June 1 and is capped at 250 runners. Early registration is $35 through October 23, including a commemorative technical t-shirt and post-race refreshments. Race-day registration will be $40 — but only if the cap hasn’t been met.
Packet Pickup: Friday, Oct. 24, from 4–6 p.m. at Fleet Feet, 11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock. Race-day check-in opens at 7 a.m.
For full details and to register, visit ozarkfoundation.org.
(Lead photo is of original race director, Lisa Mullis, handing out awards in the 2015 Race the Base Trail Run)
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
