The Fort Smith Museum of History, the new Darby House organization, and the City of Fort Smith successfully hosted the inaugural Fort Smith General Darby Challenge on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Cisterna Park in downtown Fort Smith. The event included a ruck march and half marathon to honor General William O. Darby and Fort Smith’s twin cities, Cisterna, Italy, and Nago-Torbole, Italy.

The FS Darby Challenge was a non-sanctioned but timed event that included half-marathon, 5K, and 10K races, welcoming participants to ruck, run, or walk. The event was open to those on direct military orders, active and/or retired military, ROTC/JROTC, and civilians alike. Special recognition was awarded to those with the best times.

The Darby Challenge served as a tribute to General William O. Darby, who made the ultimate sacrifice on April 30, 1945, in Nago-Torbole, Italy. In April 2023, Nago-Torbole, Italy, and Fort Smith, AR, formed a special "twinning" partnership to honor their shared history with General William O. Darby. The event coincided with Nago-Torbole, Italy's Col Darby 40 Mile Ranger Challenge, both commemorating the anniversary of General Darby's death.

The challenge kicked off at the General William O. Darby statue in Cisterna Park, with participants following “A” Street to the Greg Smith River Trail, continuing along the Riverfront to Fort Smith Park, and then returning to the start. Participants had the opportunity to pay their respects to General Darby upon completing the challenge.