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Texas > Decker Challenge Half Marathon, Relay &
Double Decker Marathon
Austin, TX
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Date
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Event
Details
Organized and run by Texas' Austin Road Runners club, the Decker
Challenge Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay and Double Decker Marathon
marks its 31st annual running in 2009, along an out-and-back loop
course that takes runners on a hilly route through the South Texas
countryside, from the start and finish line areas at the Travis County
Expo Center all the way around Decker Lake and back. Run on paved
surfaces throughout the course, the race features views of the scenic
lake for virtually the entire way around, and finishes back at the expo
center starting area.
From the Expo Center, runners head out along Decker Lake Road for a
brief stretch and then onto Decker Lane, where they make a sharp right
turn and head northeast along the road. During the first mile, runners
hit a few small hills and then begin to hit the rolling hills of the
race's early stretch along Decker Lane, as well as strong winds that
often blow along this stretch of the course. And while the hills in
this part of the race are relatively long, they are also gradual and
not too taxing.
As runners make their way from the mile 3 to the mile 4 marker, they
make the turn from Decker Lane onto Lindell Lane, the scenery changes
from the wide-open highway feel of Decker Lane to more tree-lined and
scenic stretches along Lindell -- also, thankfull for the runners, the
winds typically die down by the time you reach this point in the race.
The hills keep coming along Lindell, sometimes steeper and more
challenging than in the early going, and as runners approach roughly
the half-way point in the race, they reach the hill known as Blue
Bluff, the course's first significantly challenging hill.
Taking the long hill over the mile 6 marker, runners continue on along
Bloor Road to the turn onto State Highway 130, as the course levels off
for a stretch to give runners a breather. After the halfway point in
the race, the course resumes its rolling hills, with both long and
gradual uphill and downhill stretches. The turn onto the frontage road
along 130 also brings some challenging hills that past participants say
will test your race preparation thoroughly.
The final few miles of the race include perhaps the most difficult
stretch of the course, as runners hit the most daunting (and long) hill
in the race around the mile 10 marker. While many participants, by this
point in the race, decide to throw up their hands in defeat and simply
walk up the hill rather than run it, many others decide to attack it
and say it's a satisfying final challenge of this hilly race.
Race
Weather & Climate
Located in the South Texas hill country, just over a three-hour drive
west from Houston and about 80 miles from San Antonio, the city of
Austin typically experiences mild to moderately cool and sometimes cold
weather conditions in the early winter, with occasional frozen
precipitation. In December, average monthly temperatures range between
62°F and 42°F, while precipitation amounts average just
over 2.4 inches for the month.
Fees
$50 for individual registrations
$90 for the relay race
$100 for the Double Decker race
Registration
To reserve your spot in the winter 2009 running of Austin's Decker
Challenge Half Marathon or Double Decker Marathon, register
online at the event website.
Website
decker.austinrunners.org
Half
Marathon Course Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Austin's Decker Challenge Half Marathon?
Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories and tips for the
event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the Decker Challenge Half
Marathon
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