In 1979, the Austin Runners Club organized a race on the roads around Decker Lake in east Austin. The Decker Challenge was born! The Decker Challenge course covers 13.1 miles of rural roadway on and surrounding the Travis County Expo Center grounds. The course is USATF-certified. Be prepared for rolling …
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In 1979, the Austin Runners Club organized a race on the roads around Decker Lake in east Austin. The Decker Challenge was born!
The Decker Challenge course covers 13.1 miles of rural roadway on and surrounding the Travis County Expo Center grounds. The course is USATF-certified. Be prepared for rolling hills for the first half of the race, followed by several steady downhill miles at miles 7 and 8. Large hills at the end of Mile 8 and Mile 10 are the highlights (or lowlights, depending on your perspective) of the tough final 5 miles.
The Decker Challenge has a course limit of 4 hours (a pace of 18:18/mile). At noon, the roads will reopen to traffic, and participants still on the course will not receive an official finish time. If you think you may be close to the course limit, please contact [email protected] by noon on Friday, Dec 9 about the option to start the race half an hour early. Early starters will receive an official time and a medal, but will be ineligible for the Call Your Shot competition and age group awards.
The Decker Challenge Half Marathon is one of the longest running races in Austin. All finishers receive a race t-shirt, free post-race photos, post-race beverage, and a highly-coveted Decker Challenge finisher’s medal.
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Hilly, Hilly, Half Marathon in Austin
This is a small race with a decent production. The course has some HUGE hills, which makes for a rather challenging half marathon. The scenery is terrible. The course routes … MORE
This is a small race with a decent production. The course has some HUGE hills, which makes for a rather challenging half marathon. The scenery is terrible. The course routes through several miles of what appears to be an extended junk yard! There were mattresses, chairs, and debris of all types along the road from about mile 4 through mile 7. This race definitely does not attempt to show the pretty side of Austin! It is a runner’s race; a good way to challenge one’s abilities, but not a race for anyone who is looking for any “perks”.
45 years for good reason!
The annual Decker Challenge is one of the best organized events in the area, owing to its 45-year heritage in the Austin area. The course is punchy, the weather is … MORE
The annual Decker Challenge is one of the best organized events in the area, owing to its 45-year heritage in the Austin area. The course is punchy, the weather is always a challenge, and the start/finish is super easy to access. One of the best organized and executed local half marathons out there.
An Austin Requirement
This is a wonderful race! Out in the boonies, no one around, don't plan on crowd support to get over the hills! This is a very hilly course. Most claim … MORE
This is a wonderful race! Out in the boonies, no one around, don’t plan on crowd support to get over the hills! This is a very hilly course. Most claim the worst hill is around mile 9.5, I feel most of the hills could be considered just as bad. My least favorite is around mile 8. Wide open turn on to the highway frontage road and the wind is always terrible AND there is a huge, endless hill. The very best part is the start and finish. It is inside! No worries about the weather and there is ample parking. I’ve run this race 4 years now. No plans to stop!