About cycling & running in Hot SpringsHot Springs Training Notes
Running: Locals run Hot Springs National Park when they want real legs under them. Sunset Trail gives the long dirt option, and one 17-mile loop can turn base miles into a proper park day. Spa Pacers keep the group scene friendly, accountable, and easy to drop into. The club hosts weekly group runs, two free running clinics each year, and the Spa Running Festival in November. The Summit 2 Summit Half Marathon goes over North Mountain and West Mountain, so the course has bite. Northwoods Mullet Trail Run, Spa City Tac run 5k, Freedom 5k, and Hot Springs H2gorun! keep the calendar local.
Cycling: Locals ride whatever surface they are chasing that week. 5+ miles of Green, Blue, and Black singletrack, multi-track, flow trails, and jump lines. Womble Trail runs 33 miles, LOViT runs 45 miles, and Ouachita National Recreational Trail goes 108 miles when someone wants a bigger day. Road cyclists use North Mountain and West Mountain for incline work to scenic overlooks. The climb is 2.0 miles with 998 feet of gain, and the max grade hits 18%. Ageless Bicycle Club rides Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, weather permitting.
Season: Spring and fall usually feel best for running and riding, even with wet seasons in both windows. Summer stays hot and humid, and July averages 93°F for the high and 71°F for the low, so locals push intervals early and keep Z2 honest. Summer also runs drier than spring and fall, but Hot Springs still gets plentiful rain. Winter turns mild to cool instead of shut-down cold, and rides shift with the Ageless Bicycle Club winter schedule starting at 1 pm. Trails can still work, and base miles stay realistic when the weather permits.
