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3B26 Spectator Guide
Runners will pass each of these suggested viewing stations twice, with the exception of the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge second option. The lower specified mileage is for runners’ outbound trip, with the second specified mileage representing their return trip. It will be easy to follow runners on their outbound trip, and then turn around at the Clinton Bridge and track them back through the same locations! Or, you may set up at one location and watch the action from there.
Please be cautious of race participants, spectators and other pedestrians. These locations were chosen for their ease of access to the course and their ample parking options, without crossing the course and possibly endangering runners.
To access the Start/Finish area, consult the general Parking Instructions and plan to ride the trolley along with the runners.
1. The North Little Rock Base of the Big Dam Bridge/ Cooks Landing – Miles 2.0 and 17.3
This location may be accessed by following Cantrell South from the start area parking lot to the I-430 North on-ramp. Take the Maumelle Exit 12 (HWY 100) from I-430, move right and turn right on Crystal Hill Road at the light. At the next light, turn right onto Northshore Drive, followed by a quick right onto Cooks Landing Road. Follow this road all the way to the base of the bridge, past Cooks Landing Park. Runners will come down this side of the bridge and head down the trail at Mile 2 and will run up the bridge on their return trip.
2. Burns Park Dog Park & Goalie Road – Miles 3.4-4 and 15.6-16.2
These locations may be accessed by following Cantrell South from the start area parking lot to the I-430 North on-ramp. Take Exit 13A (I-40 Memphis) from I-430. Merge left onto I-40 East. Stay in the right lane. Take Exit 150 (Military Drive). Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Championship Drive and into Burns Park. Follow Championship to its end and then turn right onto Tournament Drive. At this point you will approach several water stops and viewing locations. Please do not attempt to enter the lot at the first water stop that you see. It is not safe for runners, as you would have to drive across the course here. Continue on a quarter mile and park at the Dog Park parking lot on your left, or continue on and turn left onto Catfish, where you will find several more parking lots on your left. All of these lots allow curbside access to the trail and to the runners.
3. Rockwater Marina, NLR River Trail near Dickey-Stephens Park, & NLR base of the Clinton Bridge
These locations may be accessed by following Cantrell South from the start area parking lot to the I-430 North on-ramp. Take Exit 13A (I-40 Memphis) from I-430. Merge left onto I-40 East. Stay in the right lane. Take Exit 152 (Pike/ MacArthur HWY 365). Turn right and continue South on MacArthur Drive which will turn into Pike Avenue at the red light. Follow Pike Avenue to the round-a-bout.
From the round-a-bout, you have multiple choices…
Rockwater Marina – Miles 7.5 and 12
As you enter the round-a-bout, take the first right onto Rockwater Boulevard. After you round the Vestal Smokestack, the Rockwater Marina parking lot will be on your left. Park in the lot. Runners pass curbside.
NLR River Trail near Dickey-Stephens Park – Miles 8.5 and 10.1
As you enter the round-a-bout, take the second right onto Riverfront Drive. Follow Riverfront Drive past the ballpark and turn left on Willow Street, between the ballpark and the Wyndham Hotel. There is street parking along the fence. Walk across the street, through the River Trail gateway to access the trail and runners.
Please do not attempt to park in lots on the South side of Riverfront Drive, as this would cause you to have to drive across the course and possibly hinder local businesses that may be open.
NLR Base of the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge – Miles 9.1 and 10.9
Continuing East along Riverfront Drive, as you clear the river wall and see the Clinton Bridge, turn right on Virginia Kelley Drive. Straight ahead is a gravel parking lot. Runners will be going up the bridge outbound and then back over on the return.
Clinton Bridge Option 2: If you prefer to see runners as they turn around in front of the Clinton Presidential Center and Museum, do not turn onto Virginia Kelley. Continue East on Riverfront Drive to the red light at Broadway. Turn left on Broadway. Stay in the left lane. As you pass under the overpass, you will turn left on Cypress and immediately follow the I-30 West on-ramp. After merging onto I-30, take the first Exit 141A (Cantrell/ Clinton) keeping a sharp right to stay on the off-ramp. At the end of the ramp, turn left onto Ferry. As you approach the Center, please follow parking lots to the right (do not turn left) and park as close to the front of the building as possible. Runners will come over the bridge and turn around directly in front of the library near the fountain. Runners will only appear at this location one time.
4. Two Rivers Park – Miles 21.2 and 24.4
This location may be accessed by following Cantrell North from the start area parking lots to Pinnacle Valley Road, at the light just past the Kroger store on the right. Turn right onto Pinnacle Valley Road and follow it to its intersection with County Farm Road. Do not turn left, continue on County Farm Road and turn right onto Two Rivers Park Road at the entrance gate to the park. Follow the park road to the parking lot on your right across from the stone and cedar building (public restrooms) on your left. Runners will be on the road past this parking lot. Please park in this lot and do not drive on the course. You can access runners and the trail, by walking across the street.