Darby Challenge | FSMH top of page Fort Smith General Darby Challenge Run, Walk, or Ruck! 5K, 10K or 13.1 Half Marathon April 26, 2026 2026 Event Registration Register Today Limited numbers available. Please order when registering for event. Fort Smith General Darby Challenge Event Swag Limited quantities available! Fort Smith General Darby Challenge Race Map 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. Download PDF Fort Smith General Darby Challenge Sponsor Information Huge thanks to our local businesses and individuals who have graciously offered their support. Please take a moment to thank our sponsors for all they do to help grow our community. Captain Level Lieutenant Level Jenny Gustin Cadet Level Bear and Cubbie Holdings, LLC Dan & Mila Masur Darlin & Adam Knightlinger David and Caron Roberts Jennifer & Tom Kelly Melissa Sikes Sandy Johnson Private Level Marcus Woodward Ready to help support a great cause? We are currently seeking local benefactors and businesses who would like to help support the Fort Smith General Darby Challenge. Sponsor FSGDC 2026 - PDF Hotels & Area Lodging Holiday Inn Express Hampton Inn Home2Suites Homewood Suites Fort Smith Riverfront RV Resort Press Release Fort Smith General Darby Challenge Sunday, April 26, 2026 Downtown Fort Smith | Cisterna Park Time: 7:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (dead stop) Distances: 13.1 Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K — Ruck, Run, or Walk Registration: runsignup.com fortsmithmuseum.org darbyhouse.org Email: fsdarbychallenge@gmail.com Mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Fort Smith General Darby Challenge, presented by the Fort Smith Museum of History in partnership with The Darby House and the City of Fort Smith. Taking place Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. in downtown Fort Smith, this military-inspired ruck march and race honors Fort Smith native General William O. Darby and celebrates the enduring bond between Fort Smith and its Italian sister cities, Cisterna and Nago-Torbole. This non-sanctioned but timed event offers a half marathon (13.1 m), 10K, or 5K and welcomes participants of all abilities to ruck, run, or walk. A virtual participation option is also available, with finisher medals awarded to all who complete the challenge and special recognition given for top times. Proceeds benefit the Fort Smith Museum of History and the new Darby House Organization. The Fort Smith General Darby Challenge commemorates General Darby’s sacrifice on April 30, 1945, in Nago-Torbole, Italy, during World War II. In 2023, Fort Smith and Nago-Torbole formalized a sister city partnership rooted in this shared history, and the Darby Challenge coincides with Nago-Torbole’s Col Darby 40-Mile Ranger Challenge, reinforcing the international connection. A defining moment of the 2026 event is the Silent Mile along the Arkansas River waterfront, honoring 93 World War II Arkansans listed as KIA or MIA and interred near Fort Smith’s sister cities in Italy. The course begins and ends at the General William O. Darby statue in Cisterna Park, traveling along “A” Street to the Greg Smith River Trail, north along the Riverfront to Fort Smith Park, and returning to Cisterna Park, where participants are invited to reflect and pay their respects. The 2026 Challenge will also honor Master Sergeant Joshua Lloyd Wheeler, a member of the Cherokee Nation and a native of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, who was killed in action in Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve. A member of the elite Delta Force, MSgt. Wheeler was the first American service member killed by enemy fire while fighting ISIS militants. Registration opens January 25, 2026, at runsignup.com. Participants and spectators are encouraged to join in honoring service, sacrifice, and international friendship at this meaningful Fort Smith tradition. Adding to the weekend is “Darby Days” on Saturday, April 25, 2026—a lively, family-friendly outdoor event presented by the Fort Smith National Historic Site and the Fort Smith Museum of History. Darby Days will feature historical reenactments, weapons demonstrations, static military exhibits, hands-on activities for all ages, and grilled foods, bringing history to life through engaging, interactive experiences. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or media inquiries, contact: Caroline Speir Executive Director, Fort Smith Museum of History 479.783.7841 fsdarbychallenge@gmail.com More information about the hosting organizations is available at fortsmithmuseum.org and darbyhouse.org 2026 FSGDC Press Release bottom of page