Hogeye Marathon Eyes Ideal Conditions

FAYETTEVILLE -- A move up on the calendar has Hogeye Marathon officials hopeful for ideal weather conditions, as the 38th Hogeye is set to hit the streets of Fayetteville this weekend.

The full 26-mile marathon race, along with other Hogeye runs on this year's calendar, will be held at 7:30 a.m. Sunday. Last year the events were held April 14, but a move ahead two weeks should provide runners with better conditions.

38th Hogeye Marathon & Relays

When: 7:30 a.m., Sunday; Kids Marathon, 2 p.m. Saturday

Events: Full Marathon, Half-marathon, Four-person relay, 5K run, 1-Mile Fun Run, Pasta Dinner (Saturday)

Where: Full marathon course begins at Fayetteville square, continues on Scull Creek Trail and Mud Creek Trail, heads north around Lake Fayetteville Trail and returns to finish at Walton Arts Center parking lot.

2013 Winners: Male, Timmy Richard, North Little Rock, 2:38:05; Female, Tiffany Redlarczyk, Fayetteville, 3:12:13

At least that's the plan.

"It's going to be the best (Hogeye Marathon) yet," race director Tabby Holmes said. "We're going to be a couple hundred short from it being the biggest, but we wanted to get some colder weather for our runners and we think we're going to get that.

"When we first moved the date we weren't aware of the dates for (school's) spring break. So I'd say the local spring break does have something to do with our numbers being a little down. But there's still time to register for the races, so we don't know for sure how many we'll have."

Along with the marathon, this year's Hogeye features a half-marathon, a 4-person relay, a 5K run and a 1-mile Fun Run.

A Kid's Marathon will also be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kohl's parking lot in Fayetteville, and the Hogeye pasta dinner will take place Saturday night.

"We're still looking for volunteers, although we're getting close to having that wrapped up," Holmes said. "Anyone who wants to come out and cheer on the runners is encouraged to do so. We just ask that they walk on the course, because bikes on the trails won't be allowed during the race."

A new corporate challenge has also been added to the Hogeye's list of events. Holmes said six corporate teams have entered the challenge this first year, with the winner receiving a Rudy the Roadhog trophy, the mascot of the Hogeye Marathon.

"We'd like to keep the corporate challenge in the future," Holmes said. "We believe that is something that can really grow."

The race itself, which no longer runs through the town of Hogeye since a major course chance in 2003, has just one minor difference this year. The final line will be at the Walton Arts Center parking lot, as opposed to a previous finish spot behind the Bank of Fayetteville building directly off the square.

Runners still interested in any of the Hogeye events can register online or at the Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday or from 5:45 a.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday.

To donate to the Hogeye Marathon, visit www.hogeyemarathon.com.

Sports on 03/28/2014

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