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Saturday, October 18, 2008

Traveling on Hwy. I-540, take exit 66 to Hwy. 112 (which is also Garland Ave.). Travel south on Hwy. 112. You will see Chile Pepper parking signs. Parking is located at Washington County Fairgrounds (right side of lot only), Whittaker Equine Center, and Agri Park, which are all located on Hwy. 112. Transit Buses will shuttle participants from the parking lots to the drop-off point near the course from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Some walking is required. The early morning (6:00am to 7:30am) drop-off time and the after race pickup time (1:15pm to 2:30pm) will be just behind the awards podium. All other times of the day, the drop-off point is approximately ½ miles walking distance from the race start. Note: Please allow extra time to get to the race site. Click here for map.

This year's event will be chip timed and scored by ChampionChip. Chips will be issued on race day only. Each runner will be required to wear an electronic chip which will be zip tied to his or her shoelace. At the conclusion of each race, the chips will be collected. Each participant is responsible for returning the chip to the timekeeper. There will be a $30.00 charge per chip for any that are not returned.

Packets may be picked up from 5 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 17 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel (formerly the Radisson) located at 70 N. East Ave in Fayetteville. The hotel is located just off the downtown square. The hotel phone number is 479-442-5555. You may also register for the Festival during packet pick-up hours. Chile Pepper T-shirts and other event merchandise will be available for purchase.

Packets may be picked up Saturday, October 18, at the Festival race site beginning at 6:00 a.m. Race day registration will open at 6:00 a.m. and continue until 15 minutes prior to the start of each race. 

See Schedule

The Cosmopolitan Hotel will be offering a special race rate. Please contact the hotel at 479-442-5555 and mention the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival to receive the special rate.

For additional accommodations, please contact the Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-766-4626 for available hotels in the Northwest Arkansas area.

10K Open Entry Fee: $25 before October 6, $30 October 6 to race day.

1 mile Fun Run/Walk Entry Fee: $10 with no late fee.

All runners may eat free at the post-race lunch. Non-registered adults and kids may eat at the post-race lunch for $5.

The Heavy Weight division is designed for larger male-only runners. Runners must weigh 190+. Runners may compete in the Open or the Heavy Weight division, but not both. Separate awards will be given.

Each runner will be treated to a post-race feast provided by Jose's Mexican Restaurant, Jose's Southwest Grill, and US Food Service.

Dannon will be handing out free samples of product on race day!

Free massages provided by White River School of Massage - 479-521-2550

Chiropractic screening by Spine Sports & Rehab Chiropractic Clinic - 479-443-9699

See Awards

Open 10K

1 mile Fun Run/Walk

College Men 10K

College Women 6K

Senior & Junior High School Boys and Girls 5K

The Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival will held at the University of Arkansas cross country course in Fayetteville. The course is a combination of grass, cinder and uneven terrain.

Open 10K detailed description:
The race consists of two and 1/2 laps on a path through the fields and slightly wooded sections of Agri Park. The race starts with runners lined up across a wide field in the northeast corner of the park. The field starts to narrow close to a quarter mile into the race. Near the half mile mark, the course turns right and runners face a pretty good incline. The course then turns right and continues slightly downhill, along with the 1 mile marker. The course then runs next to a pond and through several open fields before passing the two mile marker. Runners will proceed along the northern most perimeter of the park and begin a slight downhill section before continuing into a very short wooded section. Upon exiting the trees, runners will proceed approximately 100 meters and then take a sharp left turn. This next section is where the aid station will be located on each lap. Runners will then proceed through a fairly tight downhill section that turns to the right and then left before returning to the starting area field to begin lap #2.

The second lap is the same as the first. After finishing lap #2 and once again crossing the starting area field, the 5 mile marker is reached. Only 1.2 miles remain, but the opening hill awaits as the runners must summit it for the third and final time. This third lap continues as the two before, turning right after the uphill for two small declines. The lap is then cut short, routing the runners towards the finishing area. A nice downhill followed by a curve to the right put the racers near the 6 mile point. After a 180-degree turn around a cluster of trees, it's a classic dead straight away sprint to the finish line.

Race proceeds are given to the Fayetteville, Springdale, Har-Ber, Rogers and Bentonville high school cross country teams. Donations can be made when registering for the race online or click here to make a donation-only contribution.$20,000 was donated in 2007 with $124,000 given to date.