Overall Rating
Overall Rating (12 Reviews)
4.9
(12 Ratings) 🏆 (12 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
3.7
SCENERY
4.8
PRODUCTION
4.9
SWAG
4.4
Come run through beautiful Hot Springs National Park! The Spa Running Festival is an event for everyone …. kids, walkers, beginners to elite runners and those that like a challenge! The Squirt Race is for kids 2 – 10 years of age. The 5K is a fast and flat course … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Nov 16):
  2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
 
H (°F)  74  64  54  69  68
L (°F)  46  57  30  52  34
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Recent reviews

    LHAMPT20 FIRST-TIMER '24

    This is a great race, from start to finish, all the volunteers at packet pick up to post-race food, everything was top notch. The course is very challenging but so … MORE

    This is a great race, from start to finish, all the volunteers at packet pick up to post-race food, everything was top notch. The course is very challenging but so beautiful, I can see why people return to do it year after year. The medals were great as well!

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    fsbo58 REPEAT RUNNER '24

    Great course and beautiful landscape! Plenty of room to run. Aid stations perfectly located. Very efficient in handing out medals. Food was delicious. MORE

    Great course and beautiful landscape! Plenty of room to run. Aid stations perfectly located. Very efficient in handing out medals. Food was delicious.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    pablopelos REPEAT RUNNER '24

    About 1400 feet of elevation, in 3 longish climbing hills with switchbacks, the good thing is there are downhill as well. Friendly volunteers on course, and great eats at the MORE

    About 1400 feet of elevation, in 3 longish climbing hills with switchbacks, the good thing is there are downhill as well. Friendly volunteers on course, and great eats at the end.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5
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    ZippyCat FIRST-TIMER '23

    The Spa Running Festival is my current hometown event (includes 5k, 10k, & half marathon). I have raced the 10k previously, but this year was the first time to get … MORE

    The Spa Running Festival is my current hometown event (includes 5k, 10k, & half marathon). I have raced the 10k previously, but this year was the first time to get to do the half marathon. This course is very tough due to two long, hard climbs; however, you get tremendous payoff from your energy investment in the downhill and beautiful Fall scenery (in a National Park, no less). I can’t say enough positives about the organization, the food afterwards, and the sweet shirt/medals afforded to finishers!

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4
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    wmmartinez03 REPEAT RUNNER '23

    It is challenging because of the elevation but so rewarding when you finish and you get to experience the beautiful scenery of Hot Springs. I absolutely love running this race … MORE

    It is challenging because of the elevation but so rewarding when you finish and you get to experience the beautiful scenery of Hot Springs. I absolutely love running this race and will probably continue to run it each year. I love the metals as well they are so wonderfully crafted.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4
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    pablopelos FIRST-TIMER '23

    What more can be said, up and down one mountain, then up and down another! Great views along the way, only a few steep parts, otherwise gently rising and falling, … MORE

    What more can be said, up and down one mountain, then up and down another! Great views along the way, only a few steep parts, otherwise gently rising and falling, nice snacks after the race. Great staff.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    buytaerts FIRST-TIMER '23

    We had such a good time at this race. Well run. The director was fantastic. The course was nice and the town super fun. The food after was the best … MORE

    We had such a good time at this race. Well run. The director was fantastic. The course was nice and the town super fun. The food after was the best spread ever – pizza, hamburgers, soup & chili!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

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    shewyatt FIRST-TIMER '23

    Don't let the Mountains scare you away. Many of us walked most of the uphill and took advantage of the downhill. It was beautiful and lots of on course support. … MORE

    Don’t let the Mountains scare you away. Many of us walked most of the uphill and took advantage of the downhill. It was beautiful and lots of on course support. Post party was great and full of much needed carbs!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    lizzihulse FIRST-TIMER '23

    It was a lovely course with tons of support along the route. The leaves were turning and the colors were amazing. The hills or summits were tough, but it felt … MORE

    It was a lovely course with tons of support along the route. The leaves were turning and the colors were amazing. The hills or summits were tough, but it felt good to conquer them.

    DIFFICULTY
    5
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4
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    One of my all time favorite half marathons. The course is difficult on the uphills but you feel like you are flying on the down hills. Hot Springs is such … MORE

    One of my all time favorite half marathons. The course is difficult on the uphills but you feel like you are flying on the down hills. Hot Springs is such a neat town to explore while you are there! By far my favorite finisher medal- it lights up and spins. I highly recommend this one!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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    cfconwayiii FIRST-TIMER '21

    I expected this half to be my worst time ever since it is Summit to Summit but my time was where I had been running lately. First mountain was tougher … MORE

    I expected this half to be my worst time ever since it is Summit to Summit but my time was where I had been running lately. First mountain was tougher than the last one and the last couple of miles are downhill.
    Gorgeous views with fall colors
    About mile 9 I was by myself and this deer walked out in front of me and just stood there looking at me, it was pretty awesome
    Staff and volunteers were great
    Packet pickup was super easy at expo
    Swag was awesome medal had 3 spinners & lights up and I got a half zip pullover
    Post race party had pizza, soup, chili, and donuts
    I highly recommend this race and plan to run again in the future

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    onepamperedgirl FIRST-TIMER '19

    I have had this race on my list but I was skittish on pulling the trigger until I saw it was part of the Natural State Running Series. Something about … MORE

    I have had this race on my list but I was skittish on pulling the trigger until I saw it was part of the Natural State Running Series. Something about running up a mountain had me scared to death.
    They have a small expo when you pick up your race packet at the convention center. As far as race swag, if you signed up for the half you got a tech pullover which was nice quality.
    On race day the weather started out chilly but it did warm up as time passed. The half marathon takes you through some of the visitor spots that most want to see when you come to Hot Springs. The entire course is paved roads. There was a lot of walking up the mountains and running down. The police department did an excellent job of allowing runners to pass through busy sections. Plenty of aide stations for this one. You had to bring your own nutrition though. The medal was pretty cool as it did light up. Would I do the summit to summit again-may be. I would likely sign up for the 10k next go round. It only has one summit!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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