Test Your Limits at Fayetteville’s 25-Hour Beast of Burden Race

For 25 hours, Mount Kessler becomes the site of Northwest Arkansas’s biggest endurance challenge.

Think you can handle it? The Beast of Burden is back at Mount Kessler Regional Park in Fayetteville on November 1-2, 2025. Starting at high noon, trail runners and mountain bikers will tackle a full 24 hours, plus a bonus hour from daylight saving time, of non-stop action. This day-and-night adventure is where you’ll push your limits, celebrate with your community, and leave everything on the trails. Registration is open now.

Read the deets below if you are up for the challenge.

THE DEETS

📅 Saturday, November 1 at 12:00 PM through Sunday, November 2 at 12:00 PM
📍 Mount Kessler Regional Park, Fayetteville, Arkansas
💲 Solo Run or Solo Bike ($125) | Ultra Team (2-4 participants) – Run, Bike, or Both ($105/person) | Endurance Team (5-7 participants) – Run, Bike, or Both ($105/person)
🔗 More info and registration

Twenty-five hours on the trails is a challenge even for the most experienced bikers and runners. You’ll navigate afternoon heat, nighttime cold, and courses that rotate every 6 hours, testing different aspects of your ability. The race hub is where everything comes together. It’s your base camp, your turnaround point, and where you’ll see the whole community of racers coming and going throughout the event.

But do not worry because catered dinner and breakfast, trailside coffee throughout the night, and onsite camping at the race hub will be available for this race. Phat Tire Bike Shop offers mechanical support for bike issues, and Rise Physical Therapy is there if you need help to keep your body moving. Live music and campfires keep the atmosphere lively, and you get your timing chip and race swag.

The best part? All proceeds go directly to maintaining and improving the Mount Kessler trails, one of NWA’s most beloved trail systems. Ozark Off-Road Cyclists and Ozark Trail Runners organize this annual fundraiser to preserve and develop the trails that have made Northwest Arkansas a regional destination for runners and bikers. Your registration directly supports trail maintenance and new development, ensuring Mount Kessler remains accessible for the entire community.

This is your chance to join the tradition while making a lasting impact on the trails you love. Registration runs until October 28, so secure your spot now!