Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon & 17 Mile Fun Run 2027
- Date
- Saturday, January 9, 2027
- Start time
- 8:00 AM start (Chicago)
- Location
- Mena, Arkansas
- Entry fee
- From $40
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17(ish) Mile Blaylock Creek Fun Run | Other | Jan 9, 20278:00 AM | $40 | 49 |
| Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon | Marathon | Jan 9, 20278:00 AM | $50 | 151 |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- 17(ish) Mile Blaylock Creek Fun Run: $40 until Jan 1.
- Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon: $50 until Jan 1.
Online registration closes Jan 1, 2027, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $50, entry is about 44 percent below a typical marathon in Arkansas, which costs $90 right now.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:24 AM, and the 17(ish) Mile Blaylock Creek Fun Run starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 1,120 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
6118 AR-8, Mena, AR 71953
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Typical race-day weather
Around January 9 the day usually runs from 32°F at dawn to 52°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 21% of days. Cold snaps dip to 20°F and hot years reach 65°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- 6118 AR-8, Mena, AR 71953Map
- Course
- Trail
- Start elevation
- About 1,120 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt; Short sleeve unisex tee
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- Marathon, Other
- Editions
- 2027 (Jan 9, 2027), 2026 (Jan 3, 2026), 2025 (Jan 4, 2025)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon & 17 Mile Fun Run?
- Saturday, January 9, 2027, starting at 8:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $40 before processing fees.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Jan 1, 2027, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Arkansas?
- At $50, entry is about 44 percent below a typical marathon in Arkansas, which costs $90 right now.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- Marathon, Other.
- Where does it start?
- 6118 AR-8, Mena, AR 71953.
From the organizers
RACE INFORMATION
Sixteen mountain climbs. One unforgettable finish.
Welcome to the 28th annual Athens Big Fork Trail Marathon and 17 Mile Blaylock Creek Fun Run. Both events follow an out-and-back, well-marked course beginning and ending at the Big Fork Community Center and using the Athens Big Fork Trail.
Full marathon runners will climb eight mountains twice for a total of SIXTEEN mountain climbs and approximately 7,000 feet of cumulative gain. Whether this is your first ABF or you’re returning for your twentieth, we can’t wait to welcome you to one of Arkansas’ most challenging and rewarding trail races.
A New Chapter for ABF