*USATF Course Certification #: AR19012WJT.
From I-30 take Exit 30 onto AR-Hwy 32/73, and proceed southeast into Hope. Drive ~1.5 miles, then turn right at the 3rd stop light onto US-Hwy 67 (3rd St). Drive west 3 blocks and take a left onto Fulton St. Drive (Hwy 174 ) south for 1/2 mile until reach Park Dr. Turn right and the start/finish area is right before park entrance. .
Address: Mockingbird & Park Dr., Hope, AR
The Watermelon 5K was established in 1978 though in the first few years the race distance was 4 miles. The race has been part of the Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series since 1994.
Race starts leaving Fair park and going East on Park drive. Mostly flat with a few winding turns, then heading to Elm street going back north for two blocks lining up for the long straight away on Main.
Runners continue along Main St rewarded with a small gradual downhill until near the 1.5 mile point. Main St then moves gradually back uphill and the race route continues this gradual incline after making a right turn onto 16th street until just before the 2 mile marker.
At this point the course is gradually downhill until after the turn onto Grady Street, where the route levels off. The now weary runners will take Grady north to 7th Street where a left turn is made. The route angles to the southwest onto Park Dr. The road then turns back due west for the final straightaway. It is now time for the runners to begin their finishing kicks as the 3 mile marker and the finish line back in Fair Park are finally in sight!
For further information, contact:
Don Still, Race Director
Race History: The Valentine’s Day 5K dates back to the 1980’s when it was known as the “Serendipity Run”. 1994 marked the race’s first inclusion in the Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series.
*USATF Course Certification #: AR19012WJT.
From I-30 take Exit 30 onto AR-Hwy 32/73, and proceed southeast into Hope. Drive ~1.5 miles, then turn right at the 3rd stop light onto US-Hwy 67 (3rd St). Drive west 3 blocks and take a left onto Fulton St. Drive (Hwy 174 ) south for 1/2 mile until reach Park Dr. Turn right and the start/finish area is right before park entrance. .
Address: Mockingbird & Park Dr., Hope, AR
The Watermelon 5K was established in 1978 though in the first few years the race distance was 4 miles. The race has been part of the Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix Series since 1994.
Race starts leaving Fair park and going East on Park drive. Mostly flat with a few winding turns, then heading to Elm street going back north for two blocks lining up for the long straight away on Main.
Runners continue along Main St rewarded with a small gradual downhill until near the 1.5 mile point. Main St then moves gradually back uphill and the race route continues this gradual incline after making a right turn onto 16th street until just before the 2 mile marker.
At this point the course is gradually downhill until after the turn onto Grady Street, where the route levels off. The now weary runners will take Grady north to 7th Street where a left turn is made. The route angles to the southwest onto Park Dr. The road then turns back due west for the final straightaway. It is now time for the runners to begin their finishing kicks as the 3 mile marker and the finish line back in Fair Park are finally in sight!
For further information, contact:
Don Still, Race Director
The Run the Line Half Marathon is a unique opportunity to run in one half marathon in Texas and Arkansas on a USATF certified single-loop course. The race starts at W. Broad Street and Texas Blvd in downtown Texarkana, Texas, quickly moves into Arkansas, crosses back into Texas, and finishes in Texarkana, Arkansas. The course includes two park 10-ft wide asphalt trails and residential neighborhoods on city streets. The finish line is downtown at 3rd and Wood Streets in front of the Hopkins Ice House about 5 blocks from the start.
We are submitting a bid to be in the in the prestigious 2022 Arkansas Grand Prix Series. We will be notified by October 1, 2022, if we are in the series. If selected, this will be our 13th year to proudly be in the series. The Arkansas Grand Prix Series is a series of 20 races affiliated with RRCA and Arkansas running clubs throughout the state. Information about the Grand Prix series is available at www.arkrrca.com.
We are a Road Runner Club of America event member. We are also waiting to learn if we will be a qualifying race again the 2023 Natural State Running Series. The races and registration will be available at www.naturalstateruns.com.
A portion of the course is on the Texas/Arkansas State Line. The 2023 course is USATF certified (AR19015WJT). The race includes chip timing, walkers, and 2-person and 4-person relay teams.
Start: The race starts at 7:30 a.m. for all runners/walkers with starting waves based on estimated mile time. There is no early start. We will provide Pace Groups for finishing times of 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, and 2:30. Pacer Leaders will be at the start with signs. The start is at the intersection of Broad Street and Texas Blvd which is one block west of Packet Pick Up in the Bi-State Justice Building. This is one block west of the pre-2020 start. The course closes at 11:30 a.m. For participant safety and official race timing, finish the race by 11:30 a.m.
Course & Maps: Four miles of the course are on two park 10-ft wide asphalt trails with the remainder on coned off city streets. The course does have several long inclines. Water stops and restrooms are near miles 2.3, 3.5, 5, 6.5, 8, 9.8, 11 and 12. Multiple police officers and 100+ volunteers are stationed along the course. Musical entertainers are on the course. The Course Map is posted on this site. Water stops, restrooms, and the Relay Team Exchange Point locations are also on the course map.
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