Registration for the 2024 dinosaur

Cue the “Jurassic Park” theme song, racers for the 2024 Little Rock Marathon will be running from dinosaurs come the first weekend in March 2024. OK, not real dinosaurs, but they will be surrounded by dinosaur-themed decorations and I would bet big bucks there will be a slew of those inflatable dinosaur costumes around.

Geneva Lamm, the executive director of the Little Rock Marathon, announced on Wednesday registration is officially open for marathon hopefuls. Those who want to spend the weekend of March 2 and 3 laced up and jogging through the capital city streets can head over now and pay the cheapest prices available.

The prices for the Little Rock Marathon increase as the day gets closer. Now through Sept. 8, racers can pay $95 to join in the 26.2 mile trek and $85 for the half marathon. Cheaper prices are listed for the 5k and 10k, and combination races, like running a duel marathon and 10k, are also at their lowest price.

In a quirky video, Lamm takes a nap in the marathon warehouse only to dream that she’s dressed like a character from “The Flintstones” and surrounded by inflatable dinosaurs. The official theme for the 2024 race has been coined “DinoMite.” Lamm’s passion toward the marathon gets us excited, even though only one from the Arkansas Times editorial staff has ever completed the full 26.2 mile race.

“This year’s race is set to transport us all back in time to the era of dinosaurs and cave dwellers,” Lamm said in a press release. “We invite everyone to unleash their inner T-Rex and to power through some truly Jurassic miles with us the first weekend in March. This will be our 22nd race, and I’m super excited for our DinoMite theme this year. Total blast from the past!”

Apparently it takes a while to prepare for a race like this. The Little Rock Marathon offers a free training program to prepare for all lengths of races. The training runs year-around, and anyone can join at any time. The group meets every Saturday at 6 a.m.

If the marathon seems out of reach for you this year, registration for other local races are open now, too. The Creep N’ Crawl 5k and half marathon is set for Oct. 21 and the Ugly Sweater 5k is slated for Dec. 16. Go-getter runners who register for the two shorter races at the same time as a marathon registration are eligible to receive a special “Run Local” medal in March.

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