Texas Big Star Half Marathon & 5K

Swag:
White short sleeve tech tee. Race logo on front, with sponsors on the back. Medal was the race logo with sublimated ribbon. No date on the front of the medal, but the date was embossed on the back. Packet pickup had lots of area restaurant coupons. Great if you’re local or staying in the area. Not so great if you travelled to the race.
Course:
This was a very boring course. A large loop through some of the most non scenic areas of Frisco. Starts and ends at Toyota Stadium where FC Dallas play. The start leaves the stadium heading north. Travels east through an industrial area, followed by some residential streets with brick walls on either side. Come out of the residential area to FM 289 aka Preston Road. The right lane of southbound traffic is blocked off for northbound running. But with Preston having a 45mph speed limit, traffic was buzzing past. After a few miles of northbound, it was a left to west on Rock Hill road which has been newly completed. No cars to contend with, just the bridge over the railroad tracks. Continue on Rock Hill under the Dallas North Tollway until it dead ends, then U turn and back to northbound service road of the tollway. Miles and miles south on the boring service road until a left turn at the Rudy’s BBQ. Side note: The service road north of Eldorado parkway was completely shut down. South of Eldorado all the way to Rudy’s the service road had one lane of traffic at a stand still open. There will probably be complaints from residents. You’re smelling the BBQ, and at this point you can see the stadium, hear the music, see some spectators. But all for nothing. A little past mile 11, a right turn to go south towards the stadium, only to U turn and head north, past the soccer field complex, ALL THE WAY UP AND AROUND the fields over to Frisco street. Then a straight shot south back towards the stadium. Then a final right turn to end facing the east gate of the stadium.
Water/Powerade Stops:
The stops were well manned and the volunteers were very enthusiastic and helpful. The stops were NOT well supplied. 2 stops that were supposed to have everything were out of water but had plenty of blue powerade, while 2 other stops had no powerade, but plenty of water.
Course Support:
Other races, there will be on course support in the form of runner medical, or local EMT or fire services with a gator patrolling the course. Nothing for this one. I had a motorcycle police officer pass me on the service road of the tollway around mile 7. That was it.
Pacers:
Luke’s Locker provided the pacing team. I am a consistent 2:45 to 2:55 runner. The 3:00 pace team started after me and was consistently in front of me most of the course. Even after telling them several times that my estimated finish was 2:50 (according to my Garmin which is always fairly accurate) we still bounced ahead and behind each other (I run intervals). Then in the last mile, they slowed WAY down to actually finish at the correct timing.
Post Race:
I finished, grabbed my medal, water, banana, and granola bar. All great and plentiful. Volunteers were great. Inside Toyota stadium were vendor booths and the Emerald City Band. I could hear them earlier before the mile 11 turn around. When I made into the stadium the band had stopped and they were announcing awards. Some of the area restaurants were giving out samples of their food which was nice for a quick protein and carb reload.

Overall thoughts: For an inaugural year run, I expected hiccups. I did not expect to be sorely disappointed but I was. If a race director reads this, please change the course. You have a beautiful city, full of historic charm, and grand homes. Those views alone would be worth the admission price and quite possibly less elevation gain. Right now it’s a one and done race. But we’ll see.