Dallas Running Club Half Marathon & 5K

Sunday, November 3, 2024 • Dallas, TX • Course Map

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 49th anniversary in 2024 with a course that takes runners 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, along on East Lawther Drive. From there, 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.

On race day (Nov. 3), the average low is 50ºF and the average high is 70ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Dallas Running Club Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

8:00 AM – half marathon
8:15 AM – 5K

Fees

$75 and up for the half marathon
$50 and up for the 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of the Dallas Running Club Half Marathon & 5K race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

drchalf.com

Comments

Ever run in the Dallas Running Club Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: November, Texas

1 comment… add one

Olivia Welkener February 21, 2016, 8:08 am

On average, how many runners run the half marathon each year?

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