On February 16, Run the Line Half Marathon runners and walkers took off down Broad Street on an improved 13.1-mile course through both Cities of Texarkana. The course started in downtown Texarkana, Texas, quickly moved into Arkansas, crossed Stateline back into Texas, and finished in Arkansas.

Texas Mayor Bob Bruggeman and Arkansas Mayor Allen Brown fired the starting shotguns at 7:30 a.m. for the 13th annual Run the Line Half Marathon and Relays. Runners and walkers registered for the race totaled 780, setting a new record. Runners from 10 states ran in the race including runners from as far away as Maryland and Illinois.

The race is a unique opportunity to run in one half-marathon in both Arkansas and Texas. The USA Track & Field certified course includes Nix Creek Trail, Phillip McDougal Trail in Spring Lake Park, and city streets with coning. The 3rd and Wood Street finish line included a post-race awards presentation at the historic Hopkins Ice House.

Awards were presented to the top three female and male finishers in Overall, Masters, Grand Masters, and Senior divisions, along with the top three places in 5-year age increments, 2-Person and 4-Person Relay Teams, and top walkers. The first runner to cross the finish line completed the 13.1 miles in 1 hour and 17 minutes. The last runner triumphantly finished the race in 4 hours carrying a 30-pound pack on her back.

This was the eleventh year for the Run the Line to be included in the prestigious Arkansas Grand Prix Series. The race was the first race in the 2019-2020 Natural State Running Series and is proud to be a Road Runner Club of America event.

The Run the Line is a collaborative effort of the Texarkana Texas and Arkansas Police, Parks, and Street Departments, generous sponsors, 225+ volunteers, and Partnership for the Pathway. The Partnership is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization building a safe pedestrian and bicycle trail system in the Texarkana area. Information about the Run the Line and Partnership for the Pathway is available at info@txkruntheline.org. The race proceeds benefit the Partnership and are used to collaborate with the two cities to build a safe trail system for Texarkana residents and visitors.