Hero Half Marathon
Hero Half Marathon is a running race on October 17, 2026 in Fayetteville, AR, with entry fees from $35 to $85.
- Date
- October 17, 2026 (86 days to go)
- Price
- $35–$85
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
The Hero Half Marathon is a fundraising race and community event hosted by The Spark Foundation in partnership with Fayetteville Firefighters’ IAFF – Local 2866. Race proceeds benefit organizations that meet important community needs, increase fitness opportunities for the community, and make Fayetteville and Arkansas a great place to live, work, and play.
The Spark Foundation is all about encouraging our community to get active and stay active. We will award age group awards for the Top 3 male and female finishers in each age division for both the half marathon and quarter marathon.
Are you an active duty FIREFIGHTER? Want to participate in our Firefighter Challenge by running in FULL bunker gear? Sign Up for the Firefighter Challenge! *Please note if you sign up for the Firefighter Challenge you are committing to running the 13.1 mile half marathon in FULL BUNKER GEAR! Please reach out to contact@mysparkfoundation.org with any questions.
*** Please note: In order to guarantee a race t-shirt (a long-sleeved tech hooded tee), you must register and select a size no later than September 12, 2026. If you register on or after September 12, 2026, we can no longer guarantee a race t-shirt. We will have some extra shirts available on race day, but please register before September 12, 2026, to ensure your shirt in your desired size.***
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
71°
Typical Low
45°
Chance of Rain
32%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Fayetteville Drake Fld, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Fayetteville, AR
Population
97,227
as of 2023
City Elevation
1,246 ft
Nearest Airport
XNA
Northwest Arkansas National Airport · 16 mi
Major Hub
TUL
Tulsa International Airport · 95 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Hero Half Marathon, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
86
Days to train
- Race
- Hero Half Marathon
- Date
- October 17, 2026
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From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More Running races near Fayetteville, AR
MIDNIGHT RECON
Ultra · Fayetteville Farmer's Market & Historic Square
Less than a mile away
ZTA Run for the Ribbon 5k
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2 miles away
Beast of Burden
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Less than a mile away
SLS Dash 5K for Neurodiversity
1 Mile · 5K · From $25 · 2850 Judge Cummings Road
Less than a mile away
Plan your trip
Make it a Racecation
Coming from out of town? There's more to Fayetteville than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to FayettevilleFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Hero Half Marathon?+
When and where is the Hero Half Marathon?+
How do I register for the Hero Half Marathon?+
Hero Half Marathon
Oct 17, 2026