Race Information:
* Runners RACE DAY Instructions (updated 11/04/11)
* Early Start for runners expected to finish 3:15+
* Course Info and Rules
* Event Location
* Parking and Shuttle Service (updated 10/26/11)
* Technical Shirt
* Pace Teams
* Packet Pickup
* Race Day Schedule
Race Overview
The Dallas Running Club Half Marathon, lovingly referred to locally as “The Half”, was originally organized in 1976 to fill a niche between the 10K and marathon distances. This event now stands as a fixture on the racing calendar and a premier running event in the North Texas area and is one of the oldest half marathons in the US. This race is well-attended by elite runners, casual runners, run-walkers and walkers. With its scenic lakeside course and traditionally good weather conditions, this race is a final goal for some or a test of endurance for those preparing for a winter marathon.
Half Marathon Runner Amenities
*New Balance long sleeve pink (female) or yellow (male) technical shirt for the first 3500 Half registrants
*Half Marathon finisher will receive a multi-colored, 35th Anniversary commemorative medal
*Cash prizes for the top half marathon finishers totaling $5000
5K Runner Amenities
*New Balance short sleeve technical shirt for the first 350 5K registrants
All Runner Amenities
*USATF certified courses
*Convenient packet pickup at local Run On! stores week of the race and at the race site on race morning
*Free shuttle services to and from designated parking to race site
*Post-race festivities including refreshments, entertainment, sponsor booths and beer (for those age 21+)
Race Beneficiaries
Tal Morrison Scholarship Fund (TMSF) –The Tal Morrison Scholarship Fund is a Texas non-profit charitable organization that was organized to pay tribute to and honor the contributions of Tal Morrison to the Dallas running community. A strong health and fitness advocate, Tal was a pioneer of Dallas area organized running groups and events who founded the Cross Country Club of Dallas (now known as the Dallas Running Club), the White Rock Marathon, and the Dallas Running Club Half Marathon, also known as “The Half”. The TMSF provides financial assistance in the form of first year college scholarships to Dallas area high school students. To be eligible, the high school student must be a graduating senior and have been an active participant in their high school cross country running program. Although not required to run in a collegiate program, the applicant has demonstrated the discipline and competitiveness in the sport of cross country by including it in the eligibility criteria for the scholarship. Scholarship candidates are also judged on their overall academic, athletic, and school activity performance, in addition to their written essays.
In February 2011, the fund awarded three scholarships each to males and females in amounts of $3500, $2500, and $1500. These scholarships are the result of private donations and an $12,000 donation from the Dallas Running Club.
Dallas Running Club – The Dallas Running Club is a 501(c)(3), not for profit, organization serving the DFW metroplex with over 4000 members. We welcome runners and walkers of all ages, shapes, sizes and skill levels. The club’s mission is to unite runners of every level of ability and interest, promote good health, friendship, camaraderie and training ideas, while encouraging participation in all types of running events and focusing our key club-sponsored races towards supporting charitable causes, such as beautification and preservation of the White Rock Lake.
Runners Race Day Instructions
Click here to view and print a copy of the race day instructions.
DRC HALF MARATHON EARLY START **FOR 3:15+ Expected Finish Time Only**
For those runners and walkers expecting to finish the DRC Half Marathon in 3:15 or more, we excited to announce an early start time of 7:30am! The early start time means these runners and walkers will be able to take advantage of even cooler temps at the start, and finish the race before temperatures start to creep upward later in the day. Additionally, with an official race course shutdown based on a 4:00 time limit, there will still be ample volunteer support on the course for our early start participants. The early start is not available to those expecting to finish faster than 3:15, or for the 5K participants. What you need to know about the early start:
Risks
- By participating in the early start, you recognize that you are assuming many risks (including but not limited to traffic on the course and lack of aid) and take full responsibility for all such risks
- If you expect to finish in 3:15 or more, and do not take advantage of the early start, you recognize that you are assuming many risks (including but not limited to traffic on the course and lack of aid) and take full responsibility for all such risks
Potential disqualification
- Runners expecting to finish the in less than 3:15 are not permitted to start at 7:30AM
- Early Runners who starts at 7:30 and finishes before 9:45AM will be disqualified
- Any runners finishing after 12:00 noon will not receive a finishing time
- Early start runners are not eligible for overall, master, or age group awards
Rules of the road – Safety is a major factor and here are the rules Early Runners must follow
- Arrive at the starting line no later than 7:15AM
- Early Runners must obey all traffic laws and be cautious and alert at all intersections
- The course will be well marked but you are responsible for knowing the course
- We ask that you are self sufficient as water stops and volunteer support will be will be limited during the first couple of miles and until the official race start at 8:00AM
- Early runners must run/walk no more than 2 abreast at all times, those not adhering to this rule risk disqualification
- Use of the White Rock Trail and sidewalks are encouraged during this time
- Early runners must be cognizant and aware of faster runners who will be approaching them from behind and must yield to those runners
Awards and Prizes
Half Marathon Cash Awards:
Cash awards for the half marathon Overall and Masters will be based on gun time. Total prize purse $5000.
The following prize money will be awarded based on finish position:
Overall Male and Female
| First | $800 |
| Second | $500 |
| Third | $400 |
| Fourth | $300 |
| Fifth |
$200 |
Masters Male and Female
| First | $150 |
| Second | $100 |
| Third | $50 |
Half Marathon Age Group Awards
Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers of the half marathon in the following age groups: Under 16, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 and Older. Those winning cash awards will be awarded overall trophies and will not be included in age group awards. Age Group Awards will be based on chip time.
5K Age Group Awards
Awards to the Overall and Masters Male and Female finisher plus the top three finishers in the following age groups: Under 16, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 and Older.
Age Group Awards will be based on chip time.
Finisher Medals
All half marathon participants who complete the 13.1-mile course will receive a multi-colored, commemorative finisher's medal.
Course Info and Rules
Both the half marathon and 5K will start on East Lawther under the Buckner Road overpass. Runners will head south toward the lake and travel on Mockingbird Road. There will be 8 aid stations along the half marathon course.
USATF-certified:
The half-marathon and 5K courses are both USATF-certified. Why is it important for a course to be USATF-certified?
Course Time Limit:
We welcome walkers, joggers, and runners! The accomplishment is in finishing the race, not how fast you complete it. We want to encourage the walkers’ efforts as much as the runners. There will be a time limit of 4 hours. That is a pace of 18 minutes per mile.
Safety:
The following are prohibited on the course: runners going backwards, jump ropes, animals (dogs, cats, birds or any other exotic or domestic pets!), bicycles, baby strollers, baby joggers, roller skates, in-line skates, and skateboards. Please do not use cell phones during the race, as these can be hazardous. Based on runner input, we have updated our guidelines on iPods and other headset devices. Since our course is a closed course during the term of the event we will no longer prohibit them. We expect all participants to use good judgment and take responsibility for their actions should they wear an iPod or similar device during the race. We do ask that all participants be able to hear last minute instructions both at the start and finish lines, and that the ear buds be removed at these locations. In some areas, only one side of the road or certain traffic lanes will be closed to vehicular traffic. As such, please stay within the cones marking the course, particularly on busy high-velocity roads.
Event Location
The race will start at Norbuck Park. The park is located at the southeast corner of Northwest Highway and Buckner Blvd in Dallas (200 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, 75214) . Click here for a map to the park.
Accomodations
The Radisson Hotel Central Dallas, located at 6060 North Central Expressway Dallas, TX 75206 is the official hotel of the DRC Half Marathon.
A block of rooms for race participants has been reserved and are available at a special discounted rate ($79.00 p/n + taxes) for Friday, Saturday and Sunday November 4 through November 6. Race day 2:00 PM checkout available, please inquire with hotel prior to checkout.
Reservations by Phone: 1-800-333-3333, request for the Radisson Central Dallas and reference the 2011 DRC Half Marathon group for the discounted rate.
Online Reservations: http://www.radisson.com/dallastx_centralexpy
The hotel is located only one block from the DART Light Rail Mockingbird Station and within walking distance to packet pickup at the Run On!Dallas site. The race will have shuttle bus service available to and from the Mockingbird Station and the race site on race morning. Please make your reservations early as they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure you mention the DRC Half Marathon.
Parking and Shuttle Service
Click HERE for Parking & Shuttle Map.
NO PARKING at : Norbuck Park , Classen Dr., Van Dyke Rd., Peavy Rd., northbound and southbound Buckner Blvd. between Northwest Hwy and Mockingbird, eastbound and westbound Northwest Hwy between W. Lawther and Bucker Blvd. PARKING WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. Violators will be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.
Be safe and allow plenty of time to arrive at race site!
We encourage people to carpool and catch our pre-arranged Dallas ISD buses to the race site (Norbuck Park) from either Mockingbird or White Rock Station. We have arranged for 17 shuttle buses to shuttle to and from race site continuously from 5:30am to 1:00pm. Allow at least ½ hr transit time from shuttle lot to race start. Bag Check is available on site for you to check in belongings. Friends and families are welcome to ride the shuttles.
Shuttle Suggestions
- Allow plenty of time to park your vehicle and ride the shuttle to race site in time for the race starts: 7:30am Early Half Marathon Start for 3:15 expected finish time only; 8:00am Half Marathon Start; 8:20am 5K Start
- Do not leave any items on the shuttle, take everything with you to the race site, there is a bag check at the race site to store your belongings while you run. We are not responsible for lost items.
PARKING OPTIONS:
1. Park n’ Shuttle from Mockingbird Station (5:45am to 1:00pm, approximate trip time, 15 minutes one way)
Park at any of these lots and ride the DISD buses:
- a. DART Mockingbird Station: approximately 700 parking spaces, Mockingbird Lane & North Central Expressway, 5465 E. Mockingbird Lane (Directions to Mockingbird Rail Park n' Ride).
- b. 6060 N Central Expressway Tower Parking: approximately 250 parking spaces
- c. Radisson Hotel, 6070 North Central Expressway: approximately 100 parking spaces
2. Park n’ Shuttle from White Rock Rail Station (5:45am to 1:00pm, approximate trip time, 5 minutes one way)
- a. DART White Rock Rail Station: approximately 400 parking spaces , East Northwest Highway near West Lawther Drive, 7333 E Northwest Hwy. (Driving directions to White Rock Rail Park n' Ride) Arrive early, this lot fills up quickly.
3. Surrounding White Rock Lake: consider parking at the north end of the White Rock Lake (including the Dog Park, near the pedestrian bridge, by Big Thicket, etc.) and do a warm-up and cool down to and from the race site. Note: White Rock Lake is part of the half marathon course, be prepare for police guidance on entering and exiting parking around White Rock Lake. Map of White Rock Lake parking here (courtesy of Dallas Morning News).
4. Flagpole Hill, provided the weather is dry leading up to the race. We will notify runners on Saturday, November 5 ONLY if Flagpole Hill IS NOT available for parking. Arrive early, this lot fills up quickly. Pedestrians, please take caution crossing traffic on Northwest Hwy to race site.
5. Consider riding DART Light Rail to either Mockingbird or White Rock Station, be sure to visit the DART webpage http://www.dart.org/schedules/schedules.asp for DART train schedule for Sunday, Nov. 6. Please allow ample train and shuttle transit time to race site. Local Day Pass is $4.00.
Technical Shirt
First 3500 half marathon registrants will receive a long sleeve, colored New Balance tech shirt *.
First 350 5K registrants will receive a short sleeve, white New Balance tech shirt*. First 350 shirts claimed! Very limited size and qty remaining.
Need help on what size to order? Click to view the New Balance Apparel Sizing Chart
* Note: Shirts have been ordered well ahead of the race. Please list your shirt size preference on the registration and we'll try to accommodate requests.
SHIRT SIZES ARE NOT GUARANTEED. Shirts will be filled "first come, first served" basis at packet pickup.
NO-SHOWS (those who do not pick up their packet race week or race day) will not be mailed their event shirt.
The Dallas Running Club Pace Team is here to support you in achieving your finish goal at the DRC Half Marathon. The Pace Teams are free to join. Following are chip finish times that are offered: 1:40, 1:50, 2:00; 2:10; 2:20; 2:30; 2:45 (run/walk); 3:00 (run/walk). Pace group leaders will be holding signs with specific finish times. Find and stand with them at the Start! **NOTE: Even if you are not running with a pace team, please line up in the Start area relative to the pace teams according to your expected finish time.
Packet Pickup
Packet Pickup will be available at all Run On! store locations from Wednesday, November 2, through Saturday, November 5. Please only pickup from the RunOn! location you registered for. If you don't remember your pick up location, please inquire at drchalf@dallasrunningclub.com.
Packet Pickup will also be available on race day morning at the race site, Norbuck Park. If not sold out, race week registration is also available at the Run On!Dallas (Mockingbird) store. In person registration by CASH or CHECK ONLY - Credit Cards will not be accepted. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.
**No-shows (those who do not pick up their packet race week or race day) will not be mailed their event shirt.
Dates and Times:
Wednesday, November 2, 2011 from 10 am to 7 pm
Thursday, November 3, 2011 from 10 am to 7 pm
Friday, November 4, 2011 from 10 am to 7 pm
Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 10 am to 6 pm
Locations:
Run On! Dallas
5400 E Mockingbird #114
Dallas, Texas 75206
214-821-0909
Map to this Location
Run On! Richardson
1469 W Campbell
Richardson, Texas 75080
972-231-8260
Map to this Location
Run On! Coppell
680 N Denton Tap Rd Suite #400 Coppell, Texas
75019 972-956-5550
Map to this Location
Run On! McKinney
5180 Eldorado Pkwy #200
McKinney, Texas 75070
972-540-0333
Map to this Location
Run On! Preston/Forest
11811 Preston Rd.
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-416-9978
Map to this Location
Visit the Run On! website
You may pick up your packet race morning; however, to facilitate a smooth operation event morning, we encourage all participants to pick up packets before race morning. There will be no race day registration.
Race Day Schedule
6:30 am - Race Day Packet Pickup
6:45 am - Bag Check Opens
8:00 am - Packet Pickup Closes
7:30 am - Half Marathon Early Start - 3:15+ expected finish only
8:00 am - Half Marathon Start
8:15 am - Kids Zone Opens
8:20 am - 5K Start
8:30 am - Food Tent Opens
9:00 am - Live Band - All Talk
9:30 am - 5K Awards
10:00 am - Beer Garden Opens
10:30 am - Half Marathon Awards
11:00 am - Live Band - All Talk
12:00 pm - Half Marathon Course & All Event Closes
November in Dallas is a beautiful month - but weather can sometimes be unpredictable. Runners should be sure to wear multiple layers, as the temperature can rise significantly from the start to the finish of the race. Average temperatures for early November: low is 48°F, high is 70°F, average 8:00 a.m. temp is 54°F
Kids Zone
The Y is back again to help entertain your kids at the YMCA's Kids Zone. Stop by to make "Cheer your Runner" signs, get your face painting, enjoy fun fitness games and bounce houses all compliments of the YMCA at White Rock and the YMCA at Park Cities! Please note that children must be supervised by parent or guardian. At no time may a child be left unattended.
Race Photos
Professional race day photography is provided by SportPhoto. SportPhoto will be set up around the middle of the course and at the finish line to capture your experience. You can order prints from their website after the race.
View Race Photos from the 2010 DRC Half Marathon and 5K
Sport Photo Customer Service
Candid photos by DRC Volunteers: