Darby Challenge

Mark your Calendars! The Fort Smith Museum of History, The Darby House, and the City of Fort Smith
proudly announce the inaugural Fort Smith General Darby Challenge, a ruck march and half marathon in
honor of General William O. Darby and Fort Smith’s twin cities, Cisterna, Italy and Nago-Torbole, Italy.
The Darby Challenge will take place this April at Cisterna Park in downtown Fort Smith.

The Darby Challenge is a non-sanctioned, but timed half-marathon in length that can be rucked, run, or
walked by participants on direct military orders, active and/or retired military, and all civilians. Best
times will be awarded special recognition.

The Fort Smith General Darby Challenge will begin at the General William O. Darby statue in Cisterna
Park in Downtown Fort Smith; continue down “A” Street to the Greg Smith River Trail where the route
will turn north and continue along the Riverfront to Fort Smith Park. The return route doubles back
along the trails, following the return path to the General William O. Darby statue at Cisterna Park in
Downtown Fort Smith where participants are will be able to honor General Darby upon completion of
the Darby Challenge.

The Darby Challenge is in remembrance of General William O. Darby who was KIA on April 30, 1945 in
Nago-Torbole, Italy. In April 2023, Nago-Torbole, Italy and Fort Smith, AR “twinned” in honor of their
shared history of General William O. Darby. The Fort Smith General Darby Challenge will be an
international twin city event, held the same weekend that Nago-Torbole, Italy holds their Col Darby 40
Mile Ranger Challenge. Both events honor the anniversary of General Darby’s death on April 30, 1945.