Iron Mountain Half

http://www.dltmultisport.com/DeGray/

 Here's the website for the race if you have not already looked through it.  It does have course descriptions which match that of the people I have talked to about it. I have not done the course personally but plan to either do the oly or maybe the half but will pass along any other information as I can get it.  Plan on it being hot and humid and hills (while not Nebo) real.

For convenience, get a room at the DeGray Lake Lodge - oldish interiors but close. http://www.degray.com/lodge/

I did the half 4 years ago (baby hiatus since) -

Lake DeGray is great - clean and clear, some foliage

Bike is tough. Starts out up the dam, short level period then down the mountain. It's an out and back, so problem is about mile 50 you climb back up the mountain. A lot of people (including me) cramp up about that time - so hydration and electrolyte balance are crucial.

The run is a relatively flat loop. Long section are not shaded - so I ran into an issue of getting there late morning and run/walking in full sun.

I promised myself I would do it again, but only if I could do it fast enough to not get stuck in 100degree August temperatures.

Any idea how long a drive it is from Little Rock to Arkadelphia?

It's about an hour from Downtown LR. The race site is only a few miles off of I30 - take the Hwy7 exit and it's right down at that dam.  I think there are other hotels in the Arkadelphia area, I just found the Lodge to be nice because it was so close.

Coming from NWA you could also look at staying in Hot Springs (30 min), Malvern (20 min), or Benton (40 min). 

There is also a campsite at DeGray that a lot of racers choose to stay at.

Uh - btw - there is a State Park bare-bones restroom at the race site, but it's a big race.  Take you on TP :-).