The Malvern Runners club was formed in 1982 by a local group of runners with the intention of producing the Brickfest 5K fun-run, as it was known at that time. The first Brickfest festival, which was held in 1981, featured a 5K fun run which was directed by Mayor Bill Scrimshire, a running enthusiast at that time. The original 5K course began at the Acme Brick’s Ouachita Plant on Grigsby Ford road and ran across the Union Pacific Railroad tracks through town to the brick plant at Perla, just east of Malvern's city limits. Several local runners complained about the "all uphill" course, so Mayor Bill decided to let the group overtake the race and do with it what they would. This group of runners chose to form a club, which was originally known as The Gold Brick Runners. In 1983, the course was changed to a route through town. The Gold Brick Runners later changed its name to the Malvern Runners. The club eventually joined the Road Runners Club of America, and was designated RRCA club #815.

Some of the original, charter members of the club were Scott Christopher, Lewis Delavan, Jean and David Keesee, Dick McKinnon, Kathy Richardson, Jesse Rucker, Catherine Rutherford and perhaps several others.

     In the Autumn of 1993, the Brickfest 5K course was measured under exacting and crucial guidelines and certified by USA Track and Field. The course certification number is AR93006DLP. With this certification, the Brickfest 5K race is eligible for any state or national records that could be set by individuals of any age group for the 5K(3.1miles) distance. The Brickfest course is one of less than 40 races in the state of Arkansas that is certified by USA Track and Field.

     The race director for the first Brickfest 5K, held in 1981, was Mayor Bill Scrimshire. When the running club took over in 1982, Kathy Richardson became the race director for the next 14 years, with Scott Christopher serving as co-director. In 1996, Tony Caver (not Carver), was given the job as race director, with club treasurer Jesse Rucker serving as co-director.

     The Malvern Runners also produce the Arkansas Marathon, along with help from fellow RRCA club members of the Saline County Striders in Benton. The current Arkansas Marathon course is held on the same rural course that was previously known as the Malvern to Benton Marathon. Malvern Runners club Vice-President Dale Burns started the Malvern to Benton Marathon as a training run in 1994, and after a few changes in the course over the years, developed the run as one of the most scenic, yet challenging races in the state of Arkansas. In 1996, Dale and several fellow club members worked feverishly to get the course measured accurately, and after many hours of hard work, they managed to achieve USA Track and Field certification for the marathon course. The course certification number is AR 96003DLP.

     The Arkansas Marathon originally began in the city of Searcy in the late 1960's. After being held there for 9 years, the event was moved to the city of Booneville, where it was held for the next 19 years. The city of Booneville gradually lost interest in the event with a lack of volunteers, as well as several dangerous sections on the course causing concern to the runners. After the Malvern to Benton course was USA Track and Field certified, the Malvern Runners were offered rights to the official title of the Arkansas Marathon by the city of Booneville. With the current marathon course beginning in Malvern and ending in Benton, our fellow RRCA club in Benton were more than willing to help in managing the race on their end of the course. Both clubs, under the direction of Dale Burns, race-director, have developed this race as one of the most popular long distance races in the state.

     Not only did the 1997 Arkansas Marathon find a new home on the newly-certified Malvern to Benton course, but it was also accepted as an RRCA Grand Prix points race. The event was also designated the State Championship for the marathon distance by the Arkansas Long Distance Running Committee. Many of the runners competing in the 1996 and later years of this marathon have expressed joy over the scenic and challenging course, and have vowed to come back in the following years with their friends. Many words of high praise have been received over the scenic, rural, course and the aid-stations at every mile, many of which were manned by Arkansas RRCA running clubs.

     Many out of state runners have expressed abundant joy in competing in the Arkansas Marathon, and several dedicated marathon runners have stated this was their favorite marathon of many they've competed in.