The Back 40 Trail Races

Saturday, November 9, 2024
5 13 20 and 40 Miles

 

We are back and excited to see everyone again this year. Registration is now open on Race Wizard. This year Back 40 will be a one day event. Early November should be a great time to be on the trails and to spend some time together post race. Course details will be posted once finalized. There are so many trails for us to use and we want to change things up a bit every year so that you get to see as much as possible.

 The Back 40 Run will be held on the second weekend in November. Come experience some of the best trail systems in northwest Arkansas. The Back 40 and Little Sugar. The Back 40 opened in 2016 and is nationally known. Little Sugar fully opened in 2021 and has quickly gained popularity. Located in Bella Vista, Arkansas the trails feature over 80 miles of pure Arkansas singletrack. Dirt, rocks, roots, ravines, bridges, waterfalls – we have it all. This two-day event, brought to you by the organizers of the award-winning War Eagle Trail Races and the City of Bella Vista, brings folks together to race through the woods. Push some limits, and have a blast doing it while providing funds to maintain and improve the trail system.

Here in Bella Vista, we have deep woods, generous climbs and stunning views. We took advantage of this topography when Mayor Peter Christie said to build some trails! These trails meander through the woods, splash through streams, hug bluff lines and cross specially built breathtaking bridges. You’re going to want to stop for a selfie. And then, when you finish, take one with Mayor Christie, who waits at the finish!

Participants will get a shirt with the phenomenal race logo, designed by local artist and runner Ryan Holler. Finishers awards will be given to all participants. Overall top finishers (male and female) will receive podium awards as well.

 

THE DETAILS

  • The event is headquartered at Blowing Springs Park. The park is located at 948 Blowing Springs Rd. in Bella Vista, AR 72714. Parking will be available nearby at Cooper Elementary School and the Sporting KC soccer fields.

  • The course are mostly singletrack (short paved segments for the start and finish and to connect trails) and will be well-marked. Cutoff for the 20 mile distance is 10 hours. If you are running the 40 mile event (2 loops) you must start your second loop no late than 4 hours and 50 minutes after the start.

  • Fully stocked aid stations will be available throughout the course, staffed with experienced runners and riders who love a party!

  • Participation is limited due to trail capacity. If you want in, sign up early. Registration deferrals or rollovers will not be accepted. No refunds.

  • Safety sweepers and emergency personnel will be available to assist anyone that drops or gets pulled out to the finishing area.

  • RV and primitive camping is available with reservations at Blowing Springs Park. Make reservations by calling the park office at (479) 855-8073 or email joang@bvvpoa.com for info. If you make a reservation for a vacation rental home through Vacation Rentals, Inc. for this event, mention City of Bella Vista Back 40 to get a special rate on a two-bedroom unit. Call them at 479-855-111, or visit http://www.vacationrentalsinc.net/.

  • Catfish John’s will be providing free food to registered runners.

  • 1611’ Photography will capture all of the action over the weekend and race photos will be available free of charge to participants.

  • Proceeds from this event are donated to the City of Bella Vista and earmarked for future trail projects including trail maintenance and amenities.

 

Aid stations for longer distances will be available and staffed with experienced trail enthusiasts. Distances between aid stations will be 4-7 miles.

 The number of participants will be limited. If you want to come out and play with us sign up early. We will not maintain a wait list for any event. 

 One drop bag will be allowed for distances over 20 miles. In addition, all racers can leave finish line drop bags at the start/finish area.

No refunds. Registration deferrals or rollovers will not be accepted. Additionally, there will be no changes in sizes for shirts once the order is submitted to our vendor. 

 

To stay up to date on the latest developments follow us on our Facebook page and bookmark our website. See you in November on the Back 40. 

 

 

All photos by Malin Sebeck at 1611’ Photography. Malin and the team will capture all the action and race photos will be available to participants at no cost. 

 Below is the 2023 Pre Race update that will be sent out to the email address you provided during registration.

Welcome to the 2024 Back 40 Trail Races in beautiful Bella Vista.
Race Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
Start Time: 7:30AM
Location: Blowing Springs Park
700 Blowing Springs Rd
Bella Vista, AR 72714
Packet Pickup: Friday November 8
11:00AM-6:00PM
Rush Running Co
1600 SE J Street
Bentonville, AR 72712


I will try to cover all the basic information needed on this email. If you are looking for more details, please have a look at our website and Facebook event pages. Those links will be below.
We are back in Blowing Springs this year for the start/finish. Parking will be at Cooper Elementary School and the Sugar Creek Soccer Park across the street. Do not park inside Blowing Springs.

Packet pick up is at Rush Running Co in Bentonville on Friday from 11:00AM-6:00PM. Parking at the shop is limited. There is a parking lot just behind the shop that can be used. That address is 1000 SE 14th Street in the rear of the Student Services building.

There will be a pre-race briefing at 7:15AM Saturday before the start. Late packet pick up on race day is from 6:00AM-7:00AM. All courses close at 5:30PM. We will start on time, do not be late.

Catfish John's will be providing post-race meals free to registered runners. Service will begin at 10:00AM.


If you want to change the distance you registered for or need to complete a bib swap (exchange), please contact us via email by Wednesday 11/08. As stated on our website, we do not offer refunds or deferrals. No exceptions, please do not ask for one.

The order deadline for shirts was 10/13. If you registered after that date you will have to wait for a shirt until after the race or you may choose a shirt from a previous year at packet pick up.

All courses have been linked via Strava on our website. Below are basic directions for each course. Courses will be marked with colored survey ribbon on your left and signs where needed.

5 Mile Course: This course will go counterclockwise (opposite of last year). Please note that the first 3.5 miles are on the same course as last year but the last 1.5 miles is on a new trail that opened this week. You will start on the park road and turn left on Dartmoor. At the corner you will stay right towards the lake and then onto Sally Trail all the way until you pass through the Winnebago. Then you take Through the Looking Glass to Rabbit Hole. About halfway down the hill you will turn right to cross Dartmoor Rd and get on the new trail, Mighty Pine. This will take you back into Blowing Springs and the finish line.

13 Mile Course: This is the same course as in years past and it will once again be run in a counter clockwise direction. From the start, take the park road all the way to the back of Blowing Springs and onto the Back 40 Loop. Continue along Manchester and across Euston and then towards Rillington Field and the golf course. Just after the golf course the first aid station will be at the Commonwealth Rd crossing, about mile 5. As you leave the aid station turn left to continue on the Back 40 Loop. About mile 7 you will see a power substation in front of you, stay left to continue on Pinyon Creek. Please note that the 20 mile course turns right here. The next aid station is after mile 8 at the Trafalgar Rd crossing. Pay attention after leaving the aid station and watch for the left turn onto the Summit School trail up the hill. Approaching mile 10 there are a couple of turns to navigate. When the trail hits a T intersection at the bottom of the hill, turn right here to stay on Back 40. The next turn is less than a 1/4 mile when you cross the (usually) dry creek bed. Turn left immediately after crossing the creek and go under the powerlines on the trail. In the next couple of miles you will cross Trafalgar (again), Westbury and Kingsland. About mile 12 the trail splits, stay to the left here on the Back 40 trail. You will come out of the woods to Manchester Dr, make a right turn back into Blowing Springs here. Once you're back in the park, continue on the park road to the finish the same way you ran outbound.

20 Mile Course: This is the same course as last year and will be in a counter clockwise direction again. From the start, continue on the park road all the way to the back and onto the Back 40 Loop. Continue on the loop along Manchester and across Euston and then towards Rillington Field and the golf course. Just after the golf course the first aid station will be at the Commonwealth road crossing, about mile 5. As you leave the aid station turn left to continue on the Back 40 Loop. About mile 7, when you see the power substation in front of you, turn right to cross the (usually) dry creek bed and continue on the Back 40 loop. Note that this is where you leave the 13 mile course. Continue on the trail to the next aid station after mile 11 at the Bear Hollow trail head. This is an "in and out" aid station, meaning that you will run out in the same direction that you came into it. This in and out spur is very short as you will turn right onto SBAT trail and cross E Lancashire to continue. Your next aid station is about mile 14 at the Trafalgar road crossing. This is where you will rejoin the 13 mile course. Pay attention after leaving the aid station and watch for the left turn onto the Summit School trail up the hill. Approaching mile 10 there are a couple of turns to navigate. When the trail hits a T intersection at the bottom of the hill, turn right here to stay on Back 40. The next turn is less than a 1/4 mile when you cross the (usually) dry creek bed. Turn left immediately after crossing the creek and go under the powerlines on the trail. In the next couple of miles you will cross Trafalgar (again), Westbury and Kingsland. About mile 12 the trail splits, stay to the left here on the Back 40 trail. You will come out of the woods to Manchester Dr, make a right turn back into Blowing Springs here. Once you're back in the park, continue on the park road to the finish the same way you ran outbound.

40 Mile Course: Please see the details above for the 20 mile course and do that twice. You will have a dedicated aid station at the start/finish to begin your second loop. The hard cut off to begin the second loop is 12:20PM. You can grab some catfish and a beer to take with you. You may leave a drop bag at the start/finish.

Runner Safety: Bella Vista Police Department will be assisting with traffic control during the event. However, it is the responsibility of each and every runner to safely cross all roads. Vehicles have the right of way at all trail crossings. Exercise caution at all road crossings. If you drop out of the race for any reason you must notify us as soon as possible so we know you are not lost out in the woods.

Runner Etiquette: Those of you that know us know the deal. For those of you that are new to Back 40, we have just one rule and we will share that with you at the pre race meeting. Just know this... everyone is welcome at our race. "Y'all" means "all". We will not tolerate inappropriate or aggressive speech or behavior towards another runner, a volunteer or fellow trail user. Period. There is room for all of us on the trails and at the end of the day, all of us are out there to have a good time.

Kate Austin Photography will be taking photos of the race and those will be available for you free of charge. Once all the editing is done the link will be posted on the Facebook page and the website.
Race results will be available on Race Wizard as usual.

Race proceeds will once again be donated to the City of Bella Vista for a trail project.

Saturday, November 9th

  

Start Times and Cutoff Information

Races start at 7:30AM following the pre-race briefing.

Cutoff is 10 hours for all distances. 40 mile runners must start the second 20 mile loop no later than 4 hours and 50 minutes after the start. The course will close at 5:30PM. Safety sweepers will be on the course and will assist in returning anyone that drops or gets pulled out to the finishing area. More details to come once courses are finalized.

Course Maps & Elevation Profiles:

5 MILER: strava link HERE

13 MILER: strava link HERE

20 Miler: strava link HERE

40 miler: 2X THE 20 mile loop above

13 and 20 mile loops will be run CCW direction. Distance with this file is off for the 20 mile loop but you’ll get the idea. Trust me, you’ll get 20 miles. It was really hot that day and I stopped at the spring to cool down then walked it in. No shame in my game.

 

Schedule of Events:

Friday NOVEMBER 8th
Packet pick up is from 11:00AM until 6:00PM at Rush Running Co. in Bentonville. The address is 1600 SE J Street. Again, we highly encourage you to make it on Friday for your packet if possible. 

Saturday NOVEMBER 9th
Packet pick up at Blowing Springs 6:00AM-7:00AM
Race briefing at 7:15AM
Race start at 7:30AM
Course closes at 5:30PM

 

Again, we highly encourage you to make it on Friday for your packet if possible.

 

Sponsors:

City of Bella Vista

Bella Vista POA

Hoka One One

Igloo

Race Wizard

Rush Running Company

 

 

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact the RD: Back40Race@gmail

Adventure Awaits.