The White River Marathon has announced this year’s selected 2026 Charities of the Year as preparations begin for the marathon’s 23rd annual race in Cotter in the late fall.
The four organizations chosen to receive funding are Have A Heart Pet Shelter, the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas, the City of Cotter Fire & Rescue Auxiliary and Wesley Kitchen at First United Methodist Church.
This year marks the second effort of the White River Marathon to keep race proceeds local by directly supporting nonprofit organizations serving Baxter and Marion counties. More than $20,000 was raised for local charities during the 2025 race and the hope is to meet or exceed that total again this year.
“This is one of the hardest decisions we make each year,” said the White River Marathon Board. “We receive applications from many deserving organizations doing important work in our communities, and narrowing those applications down isn’t easy. We are grateful to every organization that applied and encourage them to apply again in the future.”
Funding for the selected charities will be distributed based on project requests and needs submitted in the application process. Have A Heart Pet Shelter will receive 50%, while the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas and the City of Cotter Fire & Rescue Auxiliary will each receive 20%. Wesley Kitchen at First United Methodist Church will receive the remaining 10%.
The 23rd Annual White River Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, with race headquarters located at Cotter Public Schools.
Known for its flat course along the White River, the event serves as a Boston Marathon qualifier and attracts runners from across the country each year. Participants finish beneath the historic Cotter Bridge, commonly referred to by organizers as the “world’s largest finish line arch.”
Race weekend events will include a full marathon, half marathon and 5K, along with a shoe recycling drive, Friday night pasta dinner and a post race meal provided by local businesses and community partners. Organizers say registration will again be capped at 800 participants.
For more information about the White River Marathon, visit www.whiterivermarathon.com.
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