Race the Base Trail Run

Race the Base Trail Run Returns to Pinnacle Mountain State Park This Fall!

The Race the Base, a 4-mile competitive trail run, is returning to Pinnacle Mountain State Park October 25, 2025, with all the fan favorites – plus a few new additions. Featuring the Base Trail at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, a scenic loop trail that encircles the base of Pinnacle Mountain just west of Little Rock, first-time participants can expect a moderately challenging trail run through the shaded hardwood forest surrounding one of Arkansas’ most prominent natural landmarks.

The race begins on gravel, switches to paved trails, and finishes with 2.75 miles of technical single track - with a little surprise thrown in towards the end. Known as “Joe’s Revenge”, participants will be competing for new King (and Queen) of the Mountain awards for the fastest to run up a daunting forest road that rises some 200 feet in just 1/3 of a mile. It’s all downhill from there (literally), as racers vie for their chance to win a “rock” – unique hand painted trophies awarded to the top three male and female participants in several age-based categories.

This year’s Race the Base coincides with National Trick or Treat Day (celebrated the last Saturday of October), and participants are encouraged to extend their Halloween celebrations by competing in costumes – with crowd favorites awarded something appropriately silly during post-race festivities. The morning also includes the Kingfisher Kids Run - a free kids run on the 3/4-mile paved Kingfisher Trail at approximately 10:00 a.m. No fee, no frills, just fun for kids aged 12 and under. Parents are welcome to run, walk, or stroll with their kids, too.

After a decade of production by Partners for Pinnacle, a nonprofit that has worked to support Pinnacle Mountain State Park, the race will be produced by Ozark Foundation beginning in 2025 - but participants should expect the same family-friendly festivities that have made Race the Base a popular event for the last decade.

Race day parking and the starting line will be in Stuckey Field at Barrett Rd and HWY 300 opposite the Pinnacle Mountain State Park entrance located at 9600 AR-300, Roland, AR 72135. Start time for Race the Base is 9 a.m., with the Kingfisher Kids Run beginning at 10 a.m.

Awards are three deep for the overall male and female, and age groups categories by gender for under 19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+.

Race the Base is capped at 250 runners. Online registration is only $35.00 before midnight on October 24, 2025, and includes a commemorative technical t-shirt and post-race refreshments. Onsite race day registration is available for $40. If 250 runners are registered prior to race day, there will be no race day registrations.

Pre-race packet pickup for Race the Base will be on Friday, October 24th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Fleet Feet, located at 11525 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72212. Race day check-in begins at 7 a.m. at Stuckey Field.