Howdy from the 2008 Dallas White Rock Marathon!

The 2008 Dallas White Rock Marathon Presented by NexBank race weekend is set for Friday-Sunday, December 12-14, 2008. Running events during race weekend include the Marathon, Half Marathon, 5-Person Relay, SMU Cox Corporate Relay Challenge Presented by Behringer Harvard and the Mayor's 5K.

Online registration is open and information about this year’s race has been updated on the web site. After a sell-out last year, we have increased the registration limit to 17,000 runners. We expect selling out to be a recurring trend, so don’t wait until the last minute like some runners did last year.

We appreciate your past participation in this event, and for those that provided feedback, we listened! Course changes, website enhancements, Expo additions and race features have all been reviewed and updated to make the weekend even better!

New Record-Setting Half Marathon Course for 2008
No More Merge – Final 5K on Katy Trail

The City of Dallas has reviewed and given preliminary approval to a new half marathon course that should generate PRs – if not world records. Like the old course, the half marathon will share the first 6.5 miles of the marathon course, and then turn off and head back to its own finish line at the northeast side of the American Airlines Center.

Course Merge Congestion Eliminated
In past years, after the initial split at 6.5 miles, the half and marathon courses merged to share the last few miles of the race course. This year, the half marathon will not re-join the marathon course thereby eliminating the congestion caused by the former merge.

Half Marathon Final 5K on Katy Trail
The real news is that the last 5K of the half marathon course will now be held on the Katy Trail! If you’re a local runner who has run the Katy Trail 5K, you know this is a fast course, and one of the prettiest inner-city running trails in Texas. We’re looking for the average half marathon times from our race to fall dramatically this year as a result!

A fly-thru map of the new half marathon course will be posted on our website soon.

iPod Policy Relaxed Based on Runner Input
iPods and Audio Devices No Longer Prohibited

Based on runner input, we have updated the guidelines on iPods and other audio devices and will no longer prohibit them. Since our course is a closed course during the term of the event, wearing an iPod WILL NOT result in disqualification in and by itself. If wearing an iPod or audio device results in you not hearing or obeying race instructions, you could be disqualified. 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.

Meet Your Fellow Participants on Race Nation –
An Online Athletic Community for Runner Networking

We are on the leading edge of the next generation of online networking – get to know your fellow participants for training runs, event tips and more on the Race Nation online athletic community! Once you register for the race, you can set up an account and see and communicate with other runners training for the 2008 Dallas White Rock Marathon. The community will feature training tips, provide details about the race, answer questions, allow you to post pictures, and more. Visit Race Nation now!

T.G.I.Friday’s Returns as Official Food Sponsor
Fall Menus to Feature “Training” and “Spectator” Menus

This fall, T.G.I.Friday’s restaurants in Texas and Oklahoma will once again feature a “Cooper Approved” Marathon Training Menu. The menu selections will range from 360 to 750 calories, have a carbohydrate content of at least 35 grams per item with an average of 60 grams, and contain less than 10% saturated fat and zero trans fats.

Back by popular demand will also be the Spectator Menu for those volunteering at the marathon or enjoying it as a spectator. This menu will highlight some of T.G.I.Friday’s more indulgent items.

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is the Beneficiary of Dallas White Rock Marathon

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas is one of the nation’s leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. There is no charge to patient families for treatment at the hospital, and admission is open to Texas children from birth to 18 years of age. For more information please call (214) 559-5000 or (800) 421-1121 or visit www.tsrhc.org.

Running for a Cause? Tell Us Your Story!

A “Rock Star” is a person or group who deserves recognition for participating in a Dallas White Rock Marathon event – perhaps an extraordinary personal story of challenge or accomplishment, a special tie to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children or another inspiring story you would like to share. We are hoping to find the biggest and best Rock Stars who ran the Rock in prior years or will be running the Rock this year. If you or someone you know is a “Rock Star” that is running for an interesting reason or cause, let us know: send an email with your story to Marcus Grunewald, Race Director.