The ARK Clear Mountain 5K

Race History

The Arkansas Running Klub has held this 5K race in North Little Rock on Labor Day weekend dating back to 1982. In the early years, the race was known as the Twin City Bank (TCB) 5K and held in Burns Park. Martin Fulk and Diane Marshall won the inaugural running in 1982. Mike Clark set a then Burns Park course record in 1983, clocking a 15:15 finish. Diane Marshall won again in 1983 and 1984, setting the Burns Park female course record in '84 with a 17:55 time.

The TCB 5K joined the Grand Prix Series in 1983 - the second year of operation for both the race and the Series. After a change in sponsorship, the race was known as the Mercantile Bank 5K from 1996 to 1999. In 2000, the race course moved out of Burns Park to the North Little Rock Riverfront/Argenta area. The name was also changed that year to the ARK Fast 5K - reflecting the new course's flat topography. Minor tweaks in the course and name continued in this decade as the race was subsequently known as the River Run 5K (2003), Riverfront 5K (2004-05) and the Clear Mountain 5K (2006-present).

A source of stability amid the changes in name and course is the race's affiliation with the Arkansas Grand Prix Series. The ARK 5K has remained part of the Series (always on Labor Day weekend) every year since 1983. Along with the Spa 10K which also joined in 1983, the ARK 5K has the longest run of any race with the Grand Prix Series. The race has often served as an Arkansas State Championship event and was selected as the RRCA National Championship 5K in 1987.

Course Description

The race starts on North Little Rock's Riverfront Dr. The course heads east for the opening stretch, gradually curving to the southeast. About 2/3 through the first mile, the course turns west onto Washington Ave running through the heart of downtown NLR's furniture store district. Runners then cross under I-30, approaching Alltel Arena and turn right onto Cypress St to hit the one mile marker. The course then returns to Riverfront Dr by turning right.

The runners will continue west on Riverfront for over a mile, passing by the 2nd mile marker during this long, straight stretch. The course then turns left on Pike Ave to head south towards the Arkansas River.

The course turns left onto the Arkansas River Trail as the race has reached its final stage. The river trail contains a few small ups and downs before flattening out for a fast finish in the heart of North Little Rock's scenic Riverfront Park under the Main Street Bridge.