THV11 just spotlighted Epopeo’s first race and the $10,000 donation to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. I organized a race at Burns Park in North Little Rock and raised $10,000 for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. I plan to do it again and maintain that relationship with the hospital, with the next race coming up in March. That kind of coverage matters because it validates the mission behind Epopeo. It signals that youth-led, community-minded ultrarunning is being taken seriously. It also gives new runners and potential supporters a clear reason to pay attention right now rather than “someday.”
The Announcement
A major local news outlet covered Epopeo’s first event and what it produced. The THV11 piece frames the race as an endurance event that evolved into a real charitable outcome! It emphasizes that the donation total reached $10,000 for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. It’s so surreal reading the article and watching the video (see video link below). The piece also includes my reaction to signing a “big, big check,” as well as my plan to do it again next March. When a newsroom chooses to feature a youth-run endurance event, it adds credibility that you can’t manufacture. It helps the broader community understand that this is more than a niche hobby.
Why the THV11 Coverage is Important for Youth Ultrarunning
This coverage signals that youth-centered ultrarunning is gaining legitimacy. Media attention is not the goal, but it proves that people outside the running community recognize what Epopeo is building. It makes conversations with parents, volunteers, community partners, and potential sponsors easier. Now there’s a public reference point. It also helps younger runners believe they have permission to do hard things that don’t fit the usual school activity mold. Most importantly, it reinforces that teens can lead ambitious projects with real outcomes and real accountability.
Epopeo is built around the idea that life does not have to collapse into routine. The project’s message is that we often move through our lives with untapped potential. Intentionally hard endurance challenges can reveal what we’re capable of while building mental toughness and stories worth telling. The THV11 story aligns with that vision because it shows the race creating both personal growth and communal impact. That combination is powerful. It reframes training and suffering as meaningful work rather than a burdensome task. It also strengthens Epopeo’s identity as a platform, since the race connects to a consistent charitable purpose rather than a one-off moment.
Why This Makes the Next Race Even More Exciting
This coverage creates momentum we can actually build on. A first-year race that raises $10,000 sets a clear standard for what the next event can achieve. My intention to keep the relationship with Arkansas Children’s Hospital makes the story feel ongoing. It also brings fresh attention to the community’s youth side, which is central to Epopeo’s uniqueness. For high school runners, the backyard ultra format rewards composure, pacing, and mental steadiness far more than hype. That’s exactly why it works as a character-building challenge. The next race has the potential to be even more meaningful than the first and it is all because of the runners who sign up.
Race Details for March 14, 2026
The next Natural State Backyard Ultra takes place on March 14, 2026. It includes the High School Ultramarathon National Championship alongside an Open Division. The race uses the backyard ultra structure: a 4.167-mile loop that starts every hour on the hour, with runners having to complete each loop within the hour to continue.
- Support Crews: Allowed, but runners can only receive support before or after each loop.
- Food & Drink: Provided, but bring your own cup.
- Facilities: Public bathrooms and water are available near the starting tent.
- First Aid: Basic supplies available at the starting tent.
- Safety: Volunteers will staff road crossings.
- Charity: All race proceeds go to charity.
Got questions about the race details? The registration link below has all the details you need.
Register Here
Registration and full details are on the official Natural State Backyard Ultra race page.
Sources
THV11, Brooke Buckner, “Teen’s love of running leads to $10K donation for Arkansas Children’s Hospital,” published November 24, 2025.
Epopeo, “The Race” page for the Natural State Backyard Ultra (March 14, 2026).
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