Sat, Aug 8, 2026

Hope Watermelon 5K

Hope, AR

Registration openAnnual since at least 2014

About the Hope Watermelon 5K

The course starts and finishes at Fair Park, heading east before winding north toward Main Street. There is a gentle downhill stretch along Main in the middle, followed by a gradual climb that carries on past a turn onto a side street, then the route eases back down and levels out before swinging north and angling southwest for a long final straightaway back into the park.

The race is put on by a local running club, the Melonvine Striders, and is certified by USATF. The awards structure is deep, covering age groups, open and masters categories, walkers, and a high school team competition. The signature touch is a locally grown Hope watermelon waiting for every participant at the finish.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a decent-sized field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

3.1 Miles · 2025 results

475finishers

15:25winner

29:15median

57:11cutoff

Top 3: Thomas Cain (15:25) · Caleb McFarland (15:42) · Ian McFarland (16:08)

The Hope Watermelon 5K has been held every year since at least 2014. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 3.1 Miles results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3.1 Miles8/8/2026 07:30$30

3.1 Miles8/8/2026 07:25$30

Melon Mile Kids Run8/8/2026 08:30$15

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Hope Watermelon 5K

Will I finish last at the Hope Watermelon 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 3.1 Miles field finished slower than 29:15, and the last recorded finisher came in around 57:11, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Hope Watermelon 5K a good first 3.1 Miles?

A field of 475 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 3.1 Miles, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Hope Watermelon 5K?

The 3.1 Miles winner ran 15:25 while the median finisher took 29:15. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.