Fort Smith General Darby Challenge

🏃‍♂️ Event Information

• Event: Fort Smith General Darby Challenge Event: 13.1 m Ruck: 13.1 m Half Marathon: 10K: 5K - Ruck, Run, or Walk
• Date: Sunday, April 27th 2025 at 7:00 am
• Time: 07:00 am - Noon CST. This is a "mass start", non-sanctioned, but timed event. Dead Stop: 12:00 noon
• Location: Downtown Fort Smith at Cisterna Park. FSGDC begins and ends at the “Darby Statue” (1001 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901)

❓ Contact Information

• Questions: Questions and/or sponsorship info available.
• Website: For more info visit fortsmithmuseum.org or darbyhouse.org
• Facebook Event: Visit Facebook
• Hotels & Lodging: Holiday Inn Express: Hampton Inn: Home 2 Home: Homewood Suites: Fort Smith Riverfront RV Resort: Springhill Recreation Area & Campground / RV: Priceline: Travelocity

🚶 Participant Details

• Mass Start: 7:00 am at Darby Statue at Cisterna Park in Downtown Fort Smith
• Check-in: Check-in for all divisions begins at 6:30 am at the Darby Statue. Ruck with 25lbs or more weighed before and at finish line. Ruck / Backpack weigh-in begins at 06:00 at the Darby Statue / Start Point.
• Finisher Medals: Finisher medals will be awarded to participants completing the challenge and special recognition will be awarded to those with the best times.
• Recognition: 13.1 Mile Ruck will recognize the first 20 participants and no other categories.

🏅 General Darby Challenge Details

• Event Type: The FS Darby Challenge event is a non-sanctioned but timed 13.1 m Ruck / Half-Marathon, 5K or 10K.
• Participation: Open to civilians, those on direct military orders, active and/or retired military, ROTC/JROTC.
• Virtual Option: For those unable to make the FS Darby Challenge in person, a virtual participation option is available with finishers medal.
• T-shirts: All participants have the option to purchase a t-shirt at registration for $20.00. Last day for t-shirt orders is April 14th.

🗺️ Route Information

• Route: Event begins at the General William O. Darby statue, continues down “A” Street to the Greg Smith River Trail.
• Return Route: Participants will retrace the trail back to the General William O. Darby statue at Cisterna Park.
• Honor General Darby: Upon completion of the Darby Challenge, participants can honor General Darby.
• Event Map: For more info, view the Event Map & Information

🚗 Parking

• Availability: Parking is available throughout downtown Fort Smith.
• Sunday Parking: Should be easily obtained by individual participants.

📅 General Information

Mark your Calendars! The Fort Smith Museum of History, the new Darby House organization, and the City of Fort Smith proudly announce the 2nd Annual Fort Smith General Darby Challenge. This ruck march and half marathon event is dedicated to honoring General William O. Darby and Fort Smith’s "Twin Cities", Cisterna, Italy and Nago-Torbole, Italy.

Join us in celebrating the legacy of General William O. Darby and the bond between Fort Smith and its twin cities, Cisterna, Italy, and Nago-Torbole, Italy, at the Fort Smith General Darby Challenge on April 27, 2025.

More information about the hosting organizations can be found at: fortsmithmuseum.org or darbyhouse.org.