Event Description
Event: Darby Challenge 13.1 Half Marathon - Ruck, Run, or Walk
When: Sunday, April 28th 2024 at 7:00am
Time: 07:00am - Noon CST This is a "mass start" but timed event.
Where : Location is in Downtown Fort Smith. Starting and finishing at the Darby Statue (1001 Garrison Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901)
Additional Information / Sponsor Information: DarbyHouse.org or FortSmithMuseum.org
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/337898365768089/?ref=newsfeed
Hotels & Lodging posted with additional information
*Holiday Inn Express Book: by April 6th 2024
* Hampton Inn
* Home2 Book: by March 29th 2024
*Homewood: Book by April 14th 2024
*Fort Smith Riverfront RV Resort
*Springhill Recreation Area & Campground / RV
*Priceline *Travelocity
Ruckers, Runners, Hikers & Walkers
Mass Start 0:700am at the Darby Statue
Categories: Ruck with 25lbs or more weighed before and at finish line. (be available to weigh at 06:30 at the Darby Statue / Start Point.
Registered Teams: 06:45 at the Darby Statue
Unweighted / Unverified Rucks
13.1 mile, 10K 6.2 mile and 5K 3.1 mile
Parking is all of downtown Fort Smith. Sunday parking should be easily obtained by individual participant.
Route: Event Map & Information
The Fort Smith General Darby Challenge will begin at the General William O. Darby statue in Cisterna
Park in Downtown Fort Smith; continue down “A” Street to the Greg Smith River Trail where the route
will turn north and continue along the Riverfront to Fort Smith Park. The return route doubles back
along the trails, following the return path to the General William O. Darby statue at Cisterna Park in
Downtown Fort Smith where participants are will be able to honor General Darby upon completion of
the Darby Challenge.
General Information
Mark your Calendars! The Fort Smith Museum of History, The Darby House, and the City of Fort Smith
proudly announce the Inaugural Fort Smith General Darby Challenge, a ruck march and half marathon in
honor of General William O. Darby and Fort Smith’s twin cities, Cisterna, Italy and Nago-Torbole, Italy.
The Darby Challenge will take place on Sunday, April 28, 2024 beginning at 7:00 am at Cisterna Park in
downtown Fort Smith.
The Darby Challenge is a non-sanctioned but timed half-marathon in length that can be rucked, run, or
walked by participants on direct military orders, active and/or retired military, and all civilians. Best
times will be awarded special recognition.
The Darby Challenge is in remembrance of General William O. Darby who was KIA on April 30, 1945 in
Nago-Torbole, Italy. In April 2023, Nago-Torbole, Italy and Fort Smith, AR “twinned” in honor of their
shared history of General William O. Darby. The Fort Smith General Darby Challenge will be an
international twin city event, held the same weekend that Nago-Torbole, Italy holds their Col Darby 40
Mile Ranger Challenge. Both events honor the anniversary of General Darby’s death on April 30, 1945.
