War Eagle Trail Running Festival is an annual trail race event held on the first Saturday of June at Hobbs State Park in Benton County, Arkansas. Race distances include 10K (6.2 mi), 25K (15.5 mi), and 50K (31 mi.) This is the only day formally organized trail races are allowed in the entire Hobbs State Park.
The run was started by the Rogers Lions Club to support Friends of Hobbs organization, both of which are remain beneficiaries of the War Eagle Trail Running Festival.
Originally known as the Tail Twister Trail Run, and held in February, it originally only featured 2 races of 4 and 9-mile distances and utilized a section of trail still part of the current race course. The event evolved to its current form in 2011, when the event organizer enlisted the help of Rush Running Company for race direction and promotion. That evolution extended the distances to 50K, 25K, and 10K (Runners must choose one, as they all run concurrently). Of equal note was a change in the race course. The event began using the entirety of the Hobbs State Park trail system available on the southwest side of State Highway 12, including the newest and most scenic section called War Eagle Valley Trail, which overlooks War Eagle Valley, home to Clifty Creek and historic War Eagle Mill — hence, the name change to "War Eagle Trail Running Festival" (Some promotional media uses the name "War Eagle Tail Twister Trail Races", in reference to the original February event.).
The part of Hobbs State Park that is home to the race is marked by signage at all parking areas saying "Hidden Diversity Multi-Use Trail", which includes the following trail sections: Little Clifty Creek Loop, Bayshore Ridge Loop, Dutton Hollow Loop, War Eagle Valley Loop, and the 1.5-mile Visitors Center spur. Each of those sections are also marked with smaller signage at all trail intersections.
Race Results
2016 - 50K - 25K - 10K