Whitney's Race 2026
Spooky running for everyone — a Halloween 5K & 10K along the Arkansas River. Race, run, walk, or crawl for a cure.
Lace Up for Halloween at the Bakery District
Registration is officially open for Whitney's Race 2026! Bring your best costume, gather your crew, and grab your spot early — prices go up after September 22.
Pricing
Early bird pricing ends September 22, 2026.
About Whitney's Race
Whitney's Race is our flagship annual event — a Halloween 5K and 10K run/walk at the Fort Smith Bakery District on October 31, 2026. Named in honor of Whitney Marsh, this race brings together survivors, families, runners, and supporters united in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
Every step you take helps fund cutting-edge research, support patients and families, and spread awareness about early detection. It's more than a race — it's a Halloween day of running, costumes, music, food, and community. A celebration of hope and the spirit to never give up.
Schedule
Saturday, October 31 at the Bakery District.
- 8:30 AMPacket Pickup Opens
- Before the startOpening Ceremony — music, prayer, and survivor speeches
- 10:00 AMHalloween Festival Begins — food trucks, carnival games, face painting, vendors, and the pop-up bar
- 10:00 AM5K & 10K Race Start
- 10:00 – 10:30 AM1-Mile Kids Fun Run
- 2:00 PMCourse closes
- Until 4:00 PMLive music and DJ sets, costume contest, pumpkin painting and smashing, shopping, food & more
Opening Ceremony Highlights
- National Anthem
- Prayer of blessing
- Remarks from a pancreatic cancer survivor
- Address from Foundation leadership
- Performances by local schools, bands, and teams
Packet Pickup
At the Bakery District — find us on the back patio.
Race-morning pickup. Come early — the 5K and 10K go off at 10:00.
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 — a course you won't want to miss.
Spooky Running for Everyone
The race is the reason, but the festival is the day. A kids' fun run and face painting on one end, a Halloween pop-up bar and DJ sets on the other, and food trucks, games, and live music for everybody in between. Bring the stroller, bring a date, bring the costume you've been saving.
Face Painting
Spiders, black cats, sugar skulls — our painters take requests.
Pumpkin Painting
Pick a pumpkin, decorate it at the table, and carry it home.
Carnival Games
Ring toss, bean bags, and a prize table run by our volunteer crew.
Costume Contest
Costumes are encouraged from the start line on. Winners called from the stage.
Food Trucks
Trucks line the village all day. Come hungry, bring cash or card.
Live Music
Local bands take the Bakery District stage through the afternoon.
DJ Sets
Our DJs hold the block between bands and run the costume-contest soundtrack.
Halloween Pop-Up Bar
The Bakery District bar goes full Halloween for the day. Bring ID.
Paint one in the morning. Smash one in the afternoon.
Pick a pumpkin at the painting table, decorate it, and carry it home. Or line up at the edge of the village for the smash, where everybody gets a turn and the little ones go first.
Go on — it's a practice run.
Also on the grounds
- 1-Mile Kids Fun Run — a race-morning dash just for our youngest runners ($15)
- Kids' obstacle course — climb, crawl, and go again
- School & band performances — local schools, bands, and teams on the stage
- Vendor Village — local makers, bakers, and small businesses
Not a runner? A Supporting Spectator pass gets you the whole day.
Or help run it — volunteerKnow Before You Go
- Photo ID for packet pickup
- Your registration email/QR (mobile is fine)
- A race-ready Halloween costume if you want to join the fun
- Running shoes and weather-appropriate layers
- Reusable water bottle
- Cash/card for vendors and food trucks
- Photo ID again if you plan to visit the 21+ pop-up bar
Downtown public lots and street parking are available near The Bakery District. Please arrive early and follow race-day signage.
We run rain or shine. Severe weather updates will be posted here and on our Facebook page by 6:30 AM on race morning.
Early bird pricing closes September 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM CDT. Don't wait — secure your spot and save!
Event Village & Vendors
We're partnering with the Fort Smith Bakery District to bring our biggest Halloween Event Village yet — expect local small businesses, seasonal treats, and race-day energy all afternoon.
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.
Spread the word
Help us fill the start line — share the race with your crew.
Location
Downtown Fort Smith, right along the Arkansas River.
Ready to Race?
Every registration fuels the fight against pancreatic cancer. Whether you're racing, walking, dressing up, or cheering from the sidelines — you're making a difference.