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Texas > Dallas Running Club Half Marathon & 5K
Dallas, TX
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Date
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Event
Details
One of the oldest and most popular half-marathon running events
anywhere in the country, the Dallas Running Club Half Marathon
& 5K will celebrate its 32nd anniversary this year with a
course that takes the field of participants -- which numbered more than
2,600 overall last year -- around the park surrounding the
entire circumference of 1,015-acre White Rock Lake, one of the crown
jewels of the city's urban parks system.
Founded in 1976 by organizers at the Dallas Running Club as an answer
for local runners who were interested in completing a race longer than
a 10K but not quite as long as a full marathon -- and for years,
referred to simply as "the Half" -- the race has stood the test of time
over the years as the popularity of the half has grown among running
enthusiasts. Though it's developed a reputation as a "runner's race,"
however, it's not just for competitive runners -- walkers and casual
joggers are welcome to take part.
The out-and-back loop course for the race starts in the area called
Norbuck
Park at the northern tip of the lake, with an 8:00 AM starting time for
those running the half marathon and an 8:15 AM start for those in the
5K. From the starting line on East Lawther Drive, runners take off and
follow a counter-clockwise loop course around the lake, first heading
east on the Northwest Highway and then south on Lawther Drive, which
keeps runners close along the lakeshore for the next few miles.
After winding along Lawther, runners take leave of the lakeshore at the
intersection with Branchfield Drive and run through the scenic Lakewood
neighborhood, which lies just to the west of the lake. Runners follow
the course north on Fisher Road to the turn at East Mockingbird Lane,
and then head south along Santa Barbara Drive, Dalhart Lane and Sperry
Street for the next couple of miles. The field joins back up with
Lawther Drive and the lakeshore near the southern end of White Rock
Park, and follow that road on its winding path for virtually the entire
second half of the race, all the way along the shore up to the finish
line back at the Norbuck Park area.
Though most of the paved-surface course is relatively flat with a few
rolling hills scattered throughout, runners will experience an
elevation climb of nearly 100 feet in elevation by the time they reach
nearly the half-way point in the race, as the event's most significant
hills occur between miles 5 and 6. There are some more uphills and
downhills for the next couple of miles, but after the 8 mile marker,
the remainder of the course is mostly flat all the way in to the
finish.
Participants are of course welcome to either run or walk the race, but
need to be aware that there is a four-hour time limit for everyone
whether they're running, jogging or walking -- which means you'll need
to keep at least an 18-minute-per-mile pace.
Race
Weather & Climate
The autumn season is always welcome in the Dallas metro area, as it
brings relief from the often stifling summer heat with mild to even
cool conditions and moderate rainfall. In November, average area
temperatures range between 66°F and 47°F, while
rainfall amounts for the month average around 2.61 inches.
Fees
For the general public:
$50 if registered by September 15, 2008
$55 between Sept. 16 - October 27
$65 between Oct. 29 - November 1
For DRC members:
$40 if registered by September 15, 2008
$45 between Sept. 16 - October 27
$50 between Oct. 29 - November 1
Registration
To reserve your spot in the fall 2008 running of the Dallas Running
Club Half Marathon or 5K, register online at Active.com.
Websites
www.drchalf.com
White Rock Lake Park
Course Map
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Larger Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in the Dallas Running Club's annual DRC Half Marathon? Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories and tips for the
event.
Discuss it in the HalfMarathons.Net
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