40th Annual Hogeye Marathon and Relays Set for April 10, 2016

Fayetteville, AR, November 20, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Excitement is building for the 40th Annual Hogeye Marathon and Relays Set for April 10, 2016. Each year, Hogeye Marathon & Relays, Inc. and its team of dedicated volunteers set the stage for this incredible event which benefits local non-profits who support the Northwest Arkansas community.

The first Hogeye Marathon took place in 1977 in Hogeye, Arkansas with the goal of promoting healthy lifestyles through running as well as supporting an opportunity to give back to North Arkansas communities. As the years passed, the event grew successfully and the 26.2 mile marathon course was rerouted to include picturesque views of the Fayetteville area. The event includes nearly 2,000 runners participating in the race, an all-day expo featuring healthy living products and information, and a multitude of devoted volunteers – all supporting the original Hogeye Marathon & Relays mission to give back to the community. Hogeye returns 80% proceeds from the event to the non-profit community each year.

In 2015, the event raised more than $47,000 which was presented to area non-profits delivered with unprecedented exposure to their causes. Recipients in 2015 included the American Wheelchair Mission, Kendrick Fincher Hydration Foundation, Jackson L. Graves Foundation, Meals on Wheels, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Children’s Safety Center.

The upcoming 2016 event promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Celebrating its 40th year, the Hogeye Marathon and Relays are scheduled for April 10, 2016 and will include the main event – the Hogeye Marathon - plus other great events including the Half Marathon, Kid’s Runs, 4-Person Marathon Relay, the Health and Fitness Expo and the annual Pasta Dinner.

Celebrating 40 years of giving back to the North Arkansas Community along with being named the area’s Outstanding Philanthropic Organization by the Association for Fundraising Professionals is certainly something the residents of North Arkansas can be proud of – after all the event would not be successful without the participants, volunteers, and corporate sponsors who make it all possible. The Hogeye Marathon and Relays’ dedicated Race Committee and Race Director  not only work on site during the event but give countless hours throughout the year to ensure the Hogeye’s success.

This year’s guest speaker at the Hogeye Marathon will be four time Boston Marathon winner and three time New York City Marathon winner, Bill Rogers. Rogers holds many awards and records including being the only runner to hold the championship of all three major marathons at the same time. Winning the Boston, New York City and Fukuoka Marathon in 1977. On December 3, 1999 Rogers was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of fame.

This is a true passion of mine”, said volunteer Race Director, Tabby Holmes, who has been working with the event for over 20 years.  “We are always trying to provide the runners with more than they expect from a small marathon.  For the 40th year, we are pulling out all the stops, providing finishers medal and jackets, as well as bringing in Bill Rodgers, 4-time winner of the Boston Marathon.

In 2016, the Hogeye Marathon and Relays will celebrate 40 years of serving North Arkansas communities by giving back to the local non-profits providing needed care in the area as well as promoting healthy living through running. The 2016 Marathon, scheduled for April 10, promises to raise more money to pour back into the community to support friends and fellow citizens in need of assistance.

About Hogeye Marathon and Relays, Inc.

Hogeye Marathon and Relays, Inc. began humbly in 1977 with a 26.2 mile marathon held from Fayetteville to Hogeye, Arkansas. Today the marathon has grown into a weekend long event including the traditional marathon, a half marathon, relays, kid’s runs on Saturday afternoon as well as the Health and Fitness Expo and the annual Pasta Dinner. Hogeye Marathon and Relays, Inc. is pleased to begin its 40th year standing by the original Hogeye marathon mission of giving back to the North Arkansas Community and promoting health and wellness through running.

For more information, go to www.hogeyemarathon.com  and discover how you can be involved today.

Hogeye Marathon & Relays Media Contact:

Jay Magee

479-222-0399 ext 705

[email protected]