Race Information:
* Race Overview
* Awards and Prizes
* Course Info and Rules
* Directions and Accomodations
* Parking
* Event Shirt
* Pace Teams
* Packet Pickup
* Race Day Schedule
Race Overview
The Dallas Running Club Half Marathon, lovingly referred to locally in the past as “The Half”, was originally organized in 1976 to fill a niche between the 10K and marathon length races. 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 and largest half marathons in the US. Under the direction of the Dallas Running Club, this race has a reputation of being a “runners’ race” but with a generous course time limit is well-attended by walkers and casual runners as well. As the sole running event the first weekend in November in an otherwise busy fall schedule, runners target this race for its additional challenge or as a training run for marathons, particularly in training for the Dallas White Rock Marathon in December. It's timed perfectly to test your summer training!
With the great combination of more runners accepting the challenge and rewards of longer-distance events, the race’s reputation, and the calendar position, the Dallas Running Club Half Marathon is a premier running event in North Texas. Runners look forward to the party-like atmosphere of the post-race festivities. Each year runners expect and enjoy a high quality technical shirt because it is an area in which DRC spares no expense. Participants wear the distinctive shirts for many years as a sign of pride in having run the race.
Participants pre-registered by October 1, 2009 receive a personalized bib number. Runners enjoy a great course circling around White Rock Lake and through scenic neighborhoods in central Dallas. All half marathon finishers receive a colored finisher medal.
There are early registration entry fees available and additional discounts only for DRC Members.
Race Beneficiaries
Tal Morrison Scholarship Fund (TMSF) – TMSF provides annual scholarships to enable senior students in Dallas public high schools who participate in their school’s cross country team to go to college.
Dallas Running Club – The Dallas Running Club is the largest all-volunteer running and walking organization in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and the third largest running club in the United States with over 3,800 active 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.
RRCA Southern Region Championship Event
The DRC Half Marathon has been selected as the 2009 Southern Region Championship Event! The goal of the RRCA Championship Events is to help the host club or event recruit top performing runners, attract sponsors, and improve civic and media support. A championship designation communicates to athletes and the community that the race organizers have agreed to follow approved guidelines in the conduct of the event. For the average runner this means increased excitement and additional benefits, and the elite runner a chance to gain wider recognition. For more information on the RRCA race guidelines and standards please visit the RRCA site.
Awards and Prizes
Awards for the Open Division and Masters Division will be based on gun time. The following prize money will be awarded based on finish position:
Open Division – Male & Female
Masters (40+) - Male & Female
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.
Finisher Medals
All half marathon participants who complete the 13.1-mile course will receive a finisher medal as they cross the finish line to herald their accomplishment.
Course Info and Rules
For the 2009 we have a new start location. 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 instead of Northwest Highway. There will be 9 aid stations along the half marathon course. Click to see a map of the new course.
The new half-marathon and 5K courses are both be USATF-certified. Why is it important for a course to be USATF-certified?
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.
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.
Directions and Accomodations
Norbuck Park is located at the southeast corner of Northwest Highway and Buckner Blvd in Dallas. The physical address for Norbuck Park is 200 N. Buckner, Dallas, TX 75218.
6060 NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY
DALLAS, Texas 75206
Phone: (214) 750-6060
We have reserved a block of rooms for race participants at the Radisson Hotel Central Dallas, the official host hotel for the DRC Half Marathon and 5K. Rooms are available at special reduced rates for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday October 30 through November 1. When reserving your room please reference the Dallas Running Club and the DRC Half Marathon or click on the link below to reserve your room online:
www.radisson.com/dallasrunningclub
Across the street from the Radisson is the Mockingbird Station DART Light Rail. Shuttle service to and from the race site will be available from Mockingbird Station from 5:30am to 1:00pm on November 1.
Parking
The DRC has arranged for Coach America to provide shuttle service to pick up runners at the White Rock DART Station and the Mockingbird DART Station. We strongly encourage runners to take the DART light rail to one of these two stations and use the shuttle to get to the race site. Be sure to visit the DART website to look at train schedules and station maps. Note that trains don't run very often on Sunday mornings. Race day parking options are as follows:
Blue Route – Mockingbird Station to Norbuck Park
Shuttle Service will begin at 5:45am and end at 1:00pm
Approximately 700 spaces
Average trip time is 12 minutes one way
Green Route – White Rock Station to Norbuck Park
Shuttle Service will begin at 5:45am and end at 1:00pm
Approximately 400 spaces
Average trip time is 5 minutes one way
Purple Parking - Flagpole Hill
Victory Parking Services will provide valet services for runners who park at Flagpole Hill. IMPORTANT – In the event it rains on race day or just prior to race day and the ground is wet there will be NO PARKING at Flagpole Hill. There will be no exceptions – Dallas Parks and Recreation will barricade the park.
Red Parking – Norbuck Park
There will be NO GENERAL PARKING available to runners at the race site. Do not attempt to park at Norbuck Park – you will be turned away. Unauthorized vehicles parked at Norbuck Park on Race Day will be towed.
There will be NO PARKING available on Northwest Highway or in surrounding neighborhoods. Violators may be towed at the owner’s expense.
Event Shirt
Each year runners expect and enjoy a high quality technical shirt because it is an area in which DRC spares no expense. Participants wear the distinctive shirts for many years as a sign of pride in having run the race. All half marathon entrants will receive a long sleeve New Balance technical (moisture-wicking) shirt. All 5K entrants will receive a short sleeved New Balance technical shirt.
Race shirts were ordered using unisex sizing. We will allow runners to switch sizes at packet pick-up. Because we are allowing runners to switch sizes we can not guarantee you will get the size you requested when you registered. We strongly recommend you pick up your packet before race day.
Pace Teams
We are honored to feature our very own Pace Team as part of the half marathon race. Our team promises to provide fun and excitement for both first time and experienced half marathoners looking to reach their running goals – whether that’s a personal best or just getting across the finish line.
Half Marathon pace team goal times: 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, and 2:30.
Packet Pickup
Packet Pickup and Race Registration will be available at all four Run On! store locations from Wednesday, October 28, through Saturday, October 31. You may pay by CASH or CHECK ONLY - Credit Cards will not be accepted. Packet Pickup will also be available on race day morning at the race site, Norbuck Park.
Dates and Times:
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 10 am to 7 pm
Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 10 am to 7 pm
Friday, October 30, 2009 from 10 am to 7 pm
Saturday, October 31, 2009 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
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. No-shows (those who do not pick up their packet race week or race day) will not be mailed their event shirt.
Race Day Schedule
5:45 am - Shuttle Service Begins
6:30 am - Race Day Packet Pickup
6:45 am - Bag Check Opens
7:45 am - Packet Pickup Closes
7:45 am - Warm Up with Jay Johnson's Boot Camp Fitness
7:55 am - Wheelchair Start
8:00 am - Half Marathon Start
8:20 am - 5K Start
9:00 am - Food Tent Opens
9:30 am - 5K Awards
10:00 am - Beer Garden Opens
10:30 am - Half Marathon Awards
12:00 pm - Half Marathon Course Closes
12:30 pm - Event Ends
1:00 pm - Shuttle Service Ends
There will be no race day registration.
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
Race Photos
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 2009 DRC Half Marathon and 5K
Sport Photo Customer Service