Shenandoah River 5k, 10k, & Half

The Shenandoah River 5k, 10k, & Half returns to Bentonville, Virginia on September 19th, offering runners a chance to enjoy the scenic trails of Shenandoah River State Park. The event starts at 9:30am with the hilly, paved 5K route and then transitions to another 5K starting at 10:45am along flatter terrain.
The park is lush and inviting in September mornings, with gentle breezes and a fresh dew on the trails. Temperatures hover around a comfortable 20-25 degrees Celsius by race time, making for pleasant running conditions. The humidity ranges from 74.5%, which keeps things reasonably crisp rather than sticky.
The Shenandoah River 5k has been growing in popularity since its inception; it now serves as the cornerstone of Bentonville’s autumn events calendar and supports local charities through participant fees. Over 1,000 runners participated last year alone, making this not just a race but an annual tradition for many families.
The course venue is challenging yet rewarding, with the hilly paved route offering significant elevation gain—200 feet on average over its distance. For those seeking a flatter option, the second 5K takes place in the park’s more open areas. Both courses have well-marked paths and are suitable for walkers too.
At 9:30am, participants will gather at the starting line; there's no need to worry about aid stations as they aren't needed on these shorter routes. The course layout is straightforward with minimal elevation changes, ensuring a smooth run throughout. The UV index of 5.0 indicates moderate sun exposure, so don’t forget your sunscreen.
On race morning, temperatures will range from a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius, feeling like around 20-25 due to the humidity averaging at 74.5%. There’s some chance of light rainfall with an average of 3.3mm expected; however, typically this doesn’t affect runners much as conditions tend to remain dry and hard.