Stars, Stripes & Steps

ABOUT THE RACE

Run, walk or stroll the historic staircases that connect Hot Springs' business and residential areas. Choose from 3 challenging and breathtakingly beautiful routes.

Welcome summer with friends, family and visitors as we honor the men and women who died to preserve our freedom.

All three of our stair climbing routes navigate the trails, hills, streets and steps that make downtown Hot Springs such a beautiful place to run, walk or stroll.

Children four and under are welcome to accompany parents or guardians at no charge

(no tee shirts, medals or SWAG), but be aware that these stairs are steep and strollers are absolutely forbidden, except on the zero-stair flip-flop romp! And PLEASE remember that you must complete a waiver even for the tiniest tyke!

We are a walker-friendly event (except for the Knee High Hilly Half Marathon). Some of our participants stroll the Sock Hop or Crazy Crew, window shopping and enjoying the scenery!

Leashed and well-behaved dogs are welcome, but you must follow the City's rules and regulations for pets.

PARK ACTIVITIES:

We will have a fun kid zone again, including the popular Mammoth Science Zone and Mammoth MIni Golf. As always we are eager for community ideas and participation.

CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE

THE HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION IS DONE!

We are so happy to have the highway work done. It will take more time until there is progress on rebuilding the two closed stair cases. The City is working on plans to replace and renovate the deteriorating staircases! That is no easy task and will take years to complete, but we are all working together to make it happen. In the meantime, 5K and 1/2 marathoners will continue to repeat certain stairs to achieve a number of steps similar to our traditional route. (# of steps is always subject to change based on the final route.)

SOCK HOP - 2 miles, 2 flights of stairs 264 steps

This two mile route is a great "starter" stair climb, terrific for kids and also good for those who are recovering from injuries. Many fast runners like it too—we are always surprised when those speedsters cross the finish line like rockets! You will share your route with the Crazy Crew and Knee High Hilly Halfers, making it lots of fun! You will pass two water stations along the way and lots of volunteers will cheer you on.

CRAZY CREW 5K - 5 kilometers (3.1 miles), 5 flights of stairs (655 steps)

This challenging route is our most popular event among men, women and kids. Although only a mile longer than the Sock Hop, those three extra staircases make it much more challenging—in fact more challenging by far than your ordinary 5K. The dogs love it too! Lots of steps and gorgeous views. You can run or take your time. You will pass two water stations. You will share the route with the Sock Hoppers and Hilly Halfers, so you will never be lonely!

KNEE HIGH HILLY HALF MARATHON - 13.1 Miles, 6 flights of stairs (744 steps)

This half marathon is chock full of hills, vales and breathtaking views, but it is not for the faint of heart. With 744 steps and several big hills, you must be in shape for this event. You MUST BE 12 YEARS OR OLDER to participate in this route. It is NOT a walker friendly route. The race starts at 8:00 a.m. (one hour before the shorter routes). The course closes at 11:00. At that point, our volunteers may go home, although some will likely wait for stragglers. We try to have at least one driver on the route available to pick you up or provide water. If you have not finished the route by 11:00, we try to leave the signs out so that you can finish.

IMPORTANT ROUTE INFORMATION

Highway Construction is done!

The Minnekahta bridge is closed while replacement construction goes on, but that is barely a glitch in our route.

We continue to adapt to the reality of deteriorating stair cases. CASTLE CRUNCH and CHAPEL CHARGE staircases will not be ready to use for some time.

The city is working hard on plans to replace both staircases and repair MUSEUM MASH, but these projects are going to be huge, both in dollars and time. We will keep you posted.

We are proud of our intrepid racers who continue to take the unconventional route in stride, and confident you will have just as much fun this year challenging yourself on the steeps and steps of Hot Springs.

STAIRCASE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION

Christine Heidebrink is our liaison to the City of Hot Springs.

We are forming a committee of concerned citizens to assist in the long term preservation and beautification of our steps. We have a fund dedicated to that cause which might be used for matching grants or for things like interpretive signs, landscaping, repairs and beautification going forward. Donations dedicated to that purpose are always welcomed.

In the meantime, we will help explore options to help the community replace the two closed staircases and pursue repair or replacement of the flagstone steps.

STARS, STRIPES AND STEPS 2026 REGISTER RIGHT NOW!