Whitney's Race 2025
5k & 10k along the Arkansas River — track miles and make a difference.
Race Overview
Join us for a 5k or 10k along the beautiful Arkansas River. New runner, high school track star, or seasoned pro — everyone’s welcome. Sign up early for Early Bird pricing until October 8th.
Packet Pickup
- Friday, Nov 7 | 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Bakery District. Find us on the back patio.
- Saturday, Nov 8 | 8:30 – 10:30 AM before the race.
Race Day Schedule
Here’s how the day looks on Saturday, November 8 at the Bakery District:
- 8:30 AM — Packet Pickup Opens
- 10:00 AM — Fall Festival Begins (vendors, food trucks, family fun)
- 10:25 AM — Opening Ceremony with music, prayer, and survivor speeches
- 11:00 AM — 5K & 10K Race Start
- Until 4:00 PM — Live music, games, shopping, food & more!
Opening Ceremony Highlights
- National Anthem by Delaney Walker
- Prayer of blessing
- Remarks from a pancreatic cancer survivor
- Address from Foundation President Madison
- Performances by local schools, bands, and teams
Registration: You can register online anytime between now and race week — or even on race day until 10:30 AM.
Race Course
Start at the Bakery District, then run alongside the Arkansas River. You’ll pass the Fort Smith National Historic Site, Belle Isle Park, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, and the United States Marshals Museum.
This is a race course you won’t want to miss.
Survivor Breakfast
Join us for the Survivor Breakfast before Whitney’s Race! This special gathering is a time to celebrate your strength and the family and loved ones who stood beside you throughout your fight. We want to honor your courage and the inspiration you bring to our community in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
The Zuerker family is graciously sponsoring this breakfast to bring together the families we fight for like yours.
9:30–10:30 AM, before race kickoff on Saturday November 8
Fort Smith Bakery District
Breakfast will be provided, and we warmly welcome your family and support team to join in the celebration. Help us honor even more heroes! Invite other survivors to join the race so we can celebrate them too.
Stay in Fort Smith
Special race-weekend hotel blocks for November 8–9.
- Dates: Nov 8–9
- Block closes: Oct 9
- Limited rooms available — first come, first served
- Breakfast included
- Dates: Nov 8–9
- Block closes: Oct 9
- Limited rooms available — first come, first served
Family Fun Festival
- Live performances all day from local schools, bands, and teams
- Vendor Village: shopping, food trucks, and drinks at the Bakery District bar
- Family fun: obstacle courses, face painting, and games for kids
Know Before You Go
- Photo ID for packet pickup
- Your registration email/QR (mobile is fine)
- Running shoes and weather-appropriate layers
- Reusable water bottle
- Cash/card for vendors and food trucks
Downtown public lots and street parking are available near The Bakery District. Please arrive early and follow race-day signage. See the parking map below.
We run rain or shine. Severe weather updates will be posted here and on our Facebook page by 6:30 AM on race morning.
Event Village & Vendors
We’re partnering with the Fort Smith Bakery District to bring our biggest Event Village yet. Exclusive deals and products from local small businesses.
Interested in Volunteering?
The Whitney Marsh Foundation runs on volunteer energy — people just like you who want to make a real difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
