Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival

Fri, Oct 2, 2026
United States
Fayetteville
100% asphalt
10,000
chilepepperfestival.org
AIMS

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Road runs in United States, Fayetteville

Distances

Running
8k
8 km
Running
8K Community Open Run (Godpepper)
8 km
Start: Oct 3, 08:00 AM
35.00 EUR
Running
8K Race Map (College Men)
8 km
Running
8k Race Map (Community Open Run)
8 km
Running
College Men’s 8K (McDonnell Memorial)
8 km
Start: Oct 5, 10:25 AM
Running
College Men’s 8K Rec
8 km
Start: Oct 5, 10:25 AM
Running
5K Race Map (College Women)
5 km
Running
College Women’s 5K (Harter’s Habanero)
5 km
Start: Oct 5, 11:00 AM
Running
College Women’s 5K Rec
5 km
Start: Oct 5, 11:00 AM
Running
4k
4 km
Running
4K Community Open Run (Godpepper)
4 km
Start: Oct 3, 08:00 AM
25.00 EUR
Running
4k Race Map (Community Open Run)
4 km
Running
Tom Lewis 1 Mile Pepper Dash
1.6 km
Running
1 mile
1.6 km
Running
Tom Lewis 1 Mile Pepper Dash
1.6 km
Start: Oct 4, 06:00 PM
10.00 EUR

About

One day in 1988, Joe Fennel, Randy Rhine and Kelly O’Meara, the Fayetteville High School cross-country coach, were out running. Kelly mentioned that his cross-country budget was $100. In the days before development programs, there wasn’t money for sports other than football and basketball. Joe and Randy were shocked and decided to do something about it. They created the Chile Pepper Running Club and from there, the Chile Pepper Run. It was originally held in May and consisted of the 10K open run only.

Catering & aid stations

On-course hydration and light refreshments are provided at aid stations during the 4K, 8K, and 1 Mile events. Additional options available at the finish area.

Pacers

Pacers will be present for the 8K College Men and 5K College Women races, indicated on race day by visible pacer flags and target times communicated to entrants (e.g., 18:30/27:00 qualifying benchmarks). Pacing groups will align with scheduled start waves on the day.