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The 2025 Catsmacker Trail run | 
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Saturday, May 24, 2025
7:00am Start
Lake Sylvia Day Use Area, Perryville AR
Register Here
Participation is limited, and subject to filling up. If you register and later change your mind, please contact Katie Helms. so that we can free up your spot for somebody else. Also note that any race donations are non-refundable. In other words, if you sign up and donate, you might as well show up!
AURA "Fun Run" (no UTS points)
Distance: 20-ish miles for the Catsmacker, 12-ish miles for the Kitty Run option
Start/Finish Area: the start is at the Lake Sylvia Day Use area (where you would go if you went swimming in the lake). NOT at Camp Ouachita (where the Full Moon and Traveller start).
Start is at 7:00am, sign-in will be available (hopefully) by 6:00am.
Cost: This is a donation-based run. That said, we need to cover costs for Forest Service permitting, aid station supplies, finish line cookout, and other race equipment/transportation/logistics. Please make sure that we can cover those costs and continue offering low-cost events. You can make an online payment here, or a cash/check donation on race day. Donations are non-refundable, and any proceeds will be donated to AURA. (A suggested donation to cover costs is $20. Thank you!)
Driving & Parking Directions: You should be able to find Williams Junction, AR on most maps; it is approximately 30 miles west of Little Rock on Hwy 10, or 20 miles south of Morrilton on Hwy 9. To get to the race site from Williams Junction, go north on Hwy 10/9 for 1.5 miles, then take Hwy 324 west and follow for three and a half miles. The Lake Sylvia day use area will be on your left about 1/2mile after Camp Ouachita. If the road turns to gravel you went half mile too far.
Google driving directions to start
Parking is limited in the Lake Sylvia Day Use Area. Once this area is full, parking will overflow along Highway 324. Please carpool if possible! Parking along Hwy 324 is limited to the west side only (on the right as you are driving in from Hwy 9/10). If you don't see any cars parked on the east side of Hwy 324, there is a reason! There will be signs and volunteers to assist you with where you can and can't park. Make sure your car is all the way to the right of the white line (completely out of the traffic lane) when you park.
Course Description:
- The course will utilize Forest Service roads and a portion of the Ouachita Trail. There will be a combination of pavement (just a little!), gravel, and single/double track trail (it's poison ivy season!).
- Course marking will consist of signs, colored ribbon flagging, and flour arrows drawn on the ground. In general, course marking is focused on marking turns and intersections. Intermediate "confidence" markings in the absence of turns or intersections will be relatively rare. We recommend that participants print off maps if they are unsure of the course or unfamiliar with the area.
- Turn-by-turn directions:
- FSR 152 (from start), turning right on FSR 132
- FSR 132 staying straight on FSR 94 (follow sign to Flatside Pinnacle)
- FSR 94 turning right onto Ouachita Trail
- Ouachita Trail turn right onto FSR 805
- FSR 805 turning right onto Hwy 324
- Hwy 324 to finish at Lake Sylvia day use area
- The Kitty Run course is the same as above with one deviation that is seen on the map. Approximately 3.5 miles into the course, the Kitty Run incorporates the Ouachita Trail for 1.5 miles and then turns back right onto FSR 805.
- Course Map
Google Course Map
Runner Safety and Other Details:
- There will be a waiver to sign on the morning of the run.
- There will be at least 3 aid stations for the Catsmacker, and 2 aid stations for the Kitty Run.
- Please carry a water bottle and any snacks you want. Food choices at the aid stations will be basic.
- The park allows dogs on a leash. Please don't assume that your dog is the exception that doesn't need a leash.
- It's always a good idea to carry a cell phone. The service is spotty, but the higher hills often have signal available. If you are unfamiliar with the area, run with a buddy and study the course map.
- Cut-off is 6 hours. For the full Catsmacker, that is a 16:30ish pace. There will be one early start option at 6:00am if (and only if) you anticipate needing more time to finish. It is not a "for your convenience if you don't feel like waiting for the 7:00am start" option. If you miss the 6:00am early start, then you will have to catch the 7:00am start.
- For more information, contact the race director Katie Helms.
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