Expect an early Saturday-morning crowd at White Rock Lake and Norbuck Park, when as many as 2,000 runners gather for the annual Too Cold to Hold half marathon, 10-kilometer or 5-kilometer race.
The event is produced by Run Project, Texas-based race organizers whose charity partners include North Texas Food Bank, Friends of the Katy Trail, Hands of Hope, Girls on the Run DFW and more.
Runners and volunteers arrive early, at about 6:30 a.m., January 28, at Norbuck Park, Buckner at Northwest Highway, to set up, pick up race packets, use those portable toilets and and other pre-race rituals.
Races take off at 8 a.m., and the course is open until noon.
Overflow parking is available at Flag Pole Hill. Race participants are advised to not park on the grass or along Lawther, and to cross the road only at designated walks.
The course of the 13.1 half marathon goes “from Norbuck Park parking lot along the Buckner Road underpass, right on E. Lawther Drive, left on the trail, under Northwest Highway, left on Flagpole Hill Trail, left on White Rock Creek Trail, across Mockingbird Lane, onto White Rock Lake Trail, U-turns at the Winfrey Point parking lot, return on the White Rock Lake Trail, over the pedestrian bridge and past the dog park, and exits White Rock Lake Trail with a left on E. Lawther Drive, right on the Buckner Boulevard underpass to the finish line.”
No major road closings are involved.
Runners who wish to register online today (Friday) can still do so. Prices are $99, $60 and $45 for the 13.1 mile, 10k and 5k, respectively. Race day registrants pay $119, $69 or $59.
Along with registration, competitors receive a long sleeve technical T-shirt, a finishers medal (if you finish), post-race beer and breakfast plus live entertainment by DJ Dame.
Saturday’s weather is forecast in the low 50s, which is ideal for a fast race.