Fort Smith General Darby Challenge

🏃‍♂️ Event Overview

• 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
• Time: 07:00am - 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 & Additional Information

• Questions: fsdarbychallenge.com
• More Information: fortsmithmuseum.org or darbyhouse.org
• Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557398563665
• Hotels & Lodging: Holiday Inn Express: Hampton Inn: Home 2 Home: Homewood Suites: Fort Smith Riverfront RV Resort: Springhill Recreation Area & Campground / RV: Priceline: Travelocity

🚶‍♂️ Participation Details

• Mass Start: 07:00 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.
• Finisher Medals: Finisher medals will be awarded to participants completing the challenge and special recognition will be awarded to those with the best times.
• Division Recognition: 13.1 Mile, 10K and 5K runners, hikers and walkers will recognize age and gender 1st, 2nd and 3rd place categories.

📅 Event Details

• Category Options: Ruck/Weighed (before and at finish), 13.1 m Run, 5K, 10K
• Virtual Participation: For those unable to make the FS Darby Challenge in person.
• 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 Map: Event Map & Information

🅿️ Parking Information

• Parking Availability: Available throughout downtown Fort Smith. Sunday parking should be easily obtained by individual participant.

📜 General Information

• Event Purpose: 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, a ruck march and half marathon event dedicated to honoring General William O. Darby.
• Historical Context: The challenge honors General William O. Darby, a Fort Smith native who sacrificed his life on April 30, 1945. This event commemorates the 80th anniversaries of his death and World War II's armistice.
• Sponsor Dinner: A sponsor dinner will take place on Saturday evening, April 26, 2024 at the Fort Smith Museum of History.
• Proceeds: All proceeds from these events will benefit the Fort Smith Museum of History and new Darby House organization.

🎉 Join Us!

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.

ℹ️ Hosting Organizations

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