UA Little Rock Alum Aaron Soltmann Wins First Marathon
When Aaron Soltmann crossed the finish line of the 2025 Little Rock Marathon with an unofficial time of 2:32:20.9, he didn’t just complete his goal of finishing his first marathon. He also won it.
“I look at this win as a stepping stone to launch into my post-college life,” Soltman said. “Coming out of university and starting to get settled into a career can be tough, and it’s nice to know that there are still bigger and better things to accomplish out there. As an alumnus, it’s nice to know that I’m representing the university in a good manner and able to carry on the high standards that they instilled in me throughout my athletics and courses.”
Originally from The Woodlands, Texas, Soltmann’s running journey began in middle school when he joined cross country with his twin sister. Although she eventually stopped running, Soltmann continued to pursue the sport, eventually earning a scholarship to run track and field for UA Little Rock. His time at the university, where he earned a degree in construction management in 2024, shaped him into the athlete and person he is today.
“I chose Little Rock because of both athletics and academics,” Soltmann explained. “At the time, the distance coach was Alan Webb, the American record holder in the mile, so having the opportunity to be coached by him was very enticing. On the academic side, Little Rock has one of the best construction management programs in the country.”
Soltmann’s college experience was nothing short of eventful. He started college during a global pandemic and graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. During his five years as a student-athlete, he was part of a program that saw significant success, including conference titles in track and cross country.
“My time as a student-athlete was a whirlwind,” he said. “I started as a walk-on and ended with a full-ride scholarship. Some of my favorite memories are winning the indoor and outdoor conference titles in 2024 and placing fourth in the steeplechase at the conference meet during the 2023 outdoor track season. As a student, some of my best memories are getting hands-on experience with construction equipment, learning about the industry through stories my professors told, and taking part in events hosted by campus.”
Soltmann’s transition from running track to marathons started with his training for the Little Rock Marathon.
“The main reason I chose Little Rock over the Woodlands Marathon was convenience and familiarity,” Soltmann said. “I’d been training in the area for five years and already knew the course pretty well. The Little Rock course is more challenging with more elevation and obstacles, which I thought would test me more than a flat course.”
Going into the race, Soltmann had set a time goal of 2:30:00, but he quickly realized he could aim for a win.
“I wasn’t expecting to win, but once I saw how my pace was going, I thought I could at least finish in the top three,” he said.
Soltmann surged ahead early, beating his half marathon personal best by over two minutes and leading the race from the start. However, the second half of the marathon proved to be more challenging.
“By mile 21, I hit a wall,” Soltmann admitted. “Every step felt like I had bricks tied to my feet. But I had come so far, and I wasn’t going to lose it at the end. I hit mile 25, and after I climbed up the last hill, I knew all I had to do was get to the finish. After leading every mile, I wasn’t going to let anyone pass me now.”
Despite the pain, Soltmann held on to the lead, finishing strong and securing the win. Crossing the finish line as the marathon champion was a deeply rewarding experience.
“The most rewarding part was knowing I was able to represent all the people who supported me – God, my parents, my girlfriend, my friends, my coaches, and my professors,” Soltmann said. “They’re the reason I’m able to do what I love, and I’m so grateful for them.”
Since graduating in 2024, Soltmann has started a full-time role at Baldwin & Shell Construction in Little Rock as a project engineer. He’s also continuing to pursue his passion for running, setting his sights on bigger races.
“I want to qualify for and compete in all the major marathons – Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York,” he said. “My most ambitious goal is to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon. I still have a long way to go, but I think as long as I stay consistent, it is possible to get there.”
Soltmann also remains connected to UA Little Rock’s track and cross country teams, mentoring current athletes.
“I’m very proud of my teammates and what they were able to accomplish,” he said. “I try my best to encourage my teammates and acknowledge their accomplishments. I try to set a good example for them as they start to head into their post-college life.”
For anyone considering running their first marathon, Soltmann has some advice: “I’d say go for it. It can be challenging to find the time to keep training, especially if you have to work long hours but it’s not impossible if you want to keep competing. Let yourself fall in love with the sport all over again and find a way to make it fun for you.”