Name: Little Sugar MTB 2026
Start: 2026-10-11T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-10-11T23:59:59-04:00
Location: Bentonville, Arkansas

About This Event

Set in the mountain biking mecca of Bentonville, Arkansas, Little Sugar MTB delivers an authentic Ozarks experience across three challenging distances. Part of the Life Time Big Sugar Classic festival, this October race showcases why Northwest Arkansas has become a premier cycling destination.

The courses wind through diverse trail systems, from the remote hollers and ravines of Little Sugar and Back 40 to the world-class urban trails of Slaughter Pen. Riders encounter grinding limestone climbs, fast rolling descents, and technical rock features while passing iconic Ozark bluff lines, caves, and waterfalls. The route connects multiple preserve systems, offering views of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art as you transition from wilderness to urban trails.

Choose from three distances: the 100K covers 61.7 miles with 6,558 feet of elevation through Little Sugar Creek, Back 40/Blowing Springs, Slaughter Pen, and Coler MTB Preserve. The 50K spans 32.8 miles with 3,474 feet of climbing across Little Sugar, Back 40, and Slaughter Pen systems. The 20K offers an 11.7-mile introduction focused on Slaughter Pen’s Castle area with 1,115 feet of elevation.

Aid stations on longer courses provide water, sports drinks, nutrition bars, gels, and snacks, plus neutral mechanical support. The 100K serves as a Leadville Trail 100 qualifier, with 40 qualifier coins distributed between performance awards and lottery.

Beyond racing, the week-long festival creates a community celebration with group rides, clinics, and industry gatherings. Post-race festivities include free food and beer tokens, with 100K winners sharing a $65,000 prize purse.

Life Time Events is a premier organizer of endurance events across the United States, known for hosting some of the most iconic cycling and trail running competitions. With a mission to inspire healthier, happier lives, Life Time Events brings together athletes from all over the world to participate in challenging and celebrated events.

Prominent Events Organized by Life Time Events:

Leadville Race Series
- Description: The Leadville Race Series includes the legendary Leadville Trail 100 MTB and Leadville Trail 100 Run, two of the most challenging endurance events globally. Participants compete at high altitudes in the rugged terrains of Colorado, making these races a true test of endurance and mental toughness. Other events in the series include the Silver Rush 50 MTB, Leadville Stage Race, and Silver Rush 50 Run.
- Links:
  - Leadville Trail 100 MTB
  - Leadville Trail 100 Run
Sea Otter Classic
- Description: Held in Monterey, California, the Sea Otter Classic is one of the largest and most diverse cycling festivals in the world. The event features a wide range of races, including road, mountain, and e-bike competitions, along with a massive expo that draws cycling enthusiasts from around the globe.
- Link: Sea Otter Classic
Unbound Gravel
- Description: Unbound Gravel, formerly known as Dirty Kanza, is a premier gravel race held in Emporia, Kansas. It offers multiple race distances, including the grueling 350-mile XL route. The event is a cornerstone of the gravel racing community, known for its challenging terrain and the strong camaraderie among participants.
- Link: Unbound Gravel
Life Time Grand Prix Series
- Description: This series features six of the most prestigious off-road cycling events, combining both mountain biking and gravel disciplines. The series includes events like the Crusher in the Tushar, Big Sugar Classic, and the Chequamegon MTB Festival. The Grand Prix attracts elite cyclists competing for one of the largest prize purses in U.S. cycling.
- Link: Life Time Grand Prix Series
Tour of the Battenkill
- Description: Known as the “Queen of the Classics,” this challenging mixed-surface race takes place in Greenwich, New York. It’s renowned for its scenic yet demanding course through rural roads and offers a vibrant post-race celebration.
- Link: Tour of the Battenkill

Life Time Events continues to set the standard in endurance sports, offering world-class competitions that challenge athletes while fostering a sense of community and accomplishment. Whether you’re into trail running, mountain biking, or gravel racing, Life Time Events provides opportunities to push your limits in some of the most stunning landscapes across the U.S.