The Eighth Annual Big D Texas Marathon

This is one of the most beautiful marathon courses you will ever run. We may be a bit prejudiced because we love the beauty of Dallas, Texas when it is in early spring bloom. All the trees and shrubs will be in full foliage with all the flowering plants in spring bloom. We have designed our course so you can see Dallas at its' finest. If you want to see a great photo journal of our course and all its' beauty, Click Here.

You start and end on the historic grounds of the great State Fair of Texas. The fairground's art deco architecture and stunning landscape will set the mood of the day. Once you leave the State fairgrounds you head north and you soon run into the beautiful neighborhoods surrounding the crown jewel of central Dallas, White Rock Lake. In addition to the beauty of the Rock, where all Dallas' runners go to do their long runs, the beautiful and luxurious homes are a vision. Once you leave White Rock you head into a part of the course that will have tree-lined parks on one side and beautiful homes on the other. As you head into the final stages of the marathon in the last six miles is where the really great homes will greet you. Your trip down Swiss Avenue is the best! And as you head to the finish line you return to finish on the front steps of the historic Cotton Bowl. You'll see why we love Dallas, Texas!

Location of Start/Finish Line:
The Big D Texas Marathon events will start and end in historical Fair Park in the shadow of the Cotton Bowl near downtown Dallas, Texas. There will be plenty of free parking available at Fair Park and you can relax, stretch and prepare for The Big D Texas Marathon in the beautiful surroundings of Fair Park. Please read the detailed direction details on our directions page as to the best way to arrive at Fair Park.

Course Time Limit:
The start line will close at 8:05 a.m. If you arrive late, you may not be allowed to start. We will keep the finish line and course open for 61/2 hours. We will enforce this time limit this year. Do not register for the marathon if you do not think you can finish within this time frame. Since we have a timing mat at the half marathon point of our course, those arriving after three hours and fifteen minutes will be given a half marathon finisher medal and will be transported back to the finish line. For those that make that time limit, we will have another point at the 20-mile mark of the course. If you do not arrive at that point by the five hour mark you will be pulled from the course and taken to the finish line. You will be given a half marathon finisher medal. We will monitor our participants after that point and will make a race day decision as to your ability to complete the course near the 6 and 1/2 time limit.

DART light rail now travels to Fair Park!
Be sure to visit the DART website for schedules and station maps. Keep in mind trains do not run very often on Sunday morning. At this point trains will only arrive at Fair Park 3-4 times before race start. However if you plan ahead you can avoid car traffic and let DART do the driving. We will have bag check for everyone.

Start Times:
Sunday, April 10, 2011
8:00 am Central DST - Texas Marathon & Half Marathon start
8:15 am - 5k start

ChronoTrack Timing at Big D:
The Texas Marathon will use ChronoTrack timing system, which records your time precisely from start to finish. Chrontrack is the latest timing technology. Your timing tag is now disposable and will come with your bib number when you get your race packet. No more lining up to get your timing chip race morning, and no waiting to have your timing chip retrieved at the finish line! Awards will be based on gun time.

Fees:
Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions.
$70 through January 15, 2011
$80 January 16 through April 5, 2011
$90 April 6, 2011 through April 9, 2011
There will be no race day registration

Register Online:
Online will remain open through Tuesday April 5, 2011

Printable Entry Form - We cannot guarantee receipt of a mail in entry if mailed after April 5, 2010.

Registrants:
Click here to verify we have received your entry in the 2011 Big D Texas Marathon, half marathon and 5k

Race Recovery Food Court and Finish Line festival:
The Texas Marathon will host a post-race party in the Automobile Building, which is next to the finish line with plenty of post race food, liquids & activities. On our Big D stage, Gloria D'Arezzo will be playing for your enjoyment.

Showers:
We will have a portable shower truck facility available courtesy of the Park Cities Baptist Church. Towels and supplies are provided so you can clean up after the event should you so desire

Packet Pickup and Late Registration:
April 7 & 8 - 10:00 AM to 7 PM and April 9, 2011 - 10:00 AM to 6 PM
Run-On Dallas -5400 E Mockingbird #114 - 214-821-0909
Run-On Richardson - 1469 W Campbell - 972-231-8260
Run-On Coppell - 680 N Denton Tap Rd - 972-956-5550
Run-On McKinney - 5180 Eldorado Pkwy #200 - 972-540-0333
New! Run-On San Antonio - 20079 Stone Oak Pkwy Ste 3120 - 210-494-7869
www.runontexas.com.

In person signup and late registration April 7 - 9, 2011 will be allowed at the Dallas Run-On store only. There will be no race day registration. The other three Run-On stores will be for packet pickup only for those who have pre-registered and designated those stores for pickup. You may pick up your packet race morning at the event.

The Big D Marathon Age Group Awards:
Awards will be presented to the top three men and women finishers in each of the
following age groups. 24 & under, 25 - 29, 30 - 34, 35 - 39, 40 - 44, 45 - 49, 50 - 54, 55 - 59, 60 - 64, 65 - 69, 70+. The top overall and masters male and female will be awarded special trophies.

Marathon Finisher Medals:
All marathon finishers will receive a Big D medal for their efforts in the finish line area. The first 100 finishers will receive top Big D 100 finisher medals.

Cool Tools!
Training logs
Forums - Blogs

Accommodations:
Our host hotel for 2011 is the Hilton Doubletree Hotel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hydration Stations:
We will have 15 aid stations positioned approximately every 1 1/2 to 2 miles. Not only will they provide you with water, sports drinks, and other goodies, but they will also be competing for $1000 in prize money. Our Sports drink is GatorAde. Their job is to please you! Information on water stations and port-o-let placement on the course can be found here.

Medical:
Race day medical services include first aid medical stations with ambulance service at the start, finish and on the course. For complete info, Click Here

First Class Marathon Event T-shirt:
As always Big D will have a first class event short/sleeved shirt for all entrants.

Weather:
The average high for Dallas this time of year is 68.5 degrees with the average low of 47 degrees. Dallas is in early bloom and is a great city with many activities! Find out more by clicking here.

Event Photgraphy:
Brightroom will be our official race photgrapher. Click on the logo to see your pictures.

Raise Money for Charity:

Donate your old shoes.

Boston Qualifier?
Yes.

Entry Requirements:
You must be able to complete the marathon and half marathon in 6 1/2 hours. Slower runners and walkers who are not able to keep the respective pace will be subject to street re-openings/bridge openings and will need to proceed using sidewalks and road breakdown lanes. The finish line will remain open for 7 hours, therefore, you will still receive your finisher's medal and official finishers certificate.

You must be at least 12 years old to run the Big D Half Marathon.
You must be at least 16 years old to run the Big D Texas Marathon.
The following are strictly prohibited from the course: baby joggers, in-line skates, bicycles and any other non-official wheeled vehicles.