Run the Rail

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Run the Rail Marathon and Half Marathon 2024

Run the Rail

Rotarian and Judge Jeff Addison starts the 2017 Run the Rail Half Marathon.

When Saturday, October 12th, 2024, 6:00 AM
Where Trailhead Park, New Boston, Texas
How Much $25, $35, $45, $55, $95
Who and Why West Bowie County Rotary Club Fund Raiser
How Walk or Walk/Run or Run, Marathon is Run Only
Register https://runsignup.com/runtherail
Benefits West Bowie County Rotary Club Charitable Works for Local Education

Each fall, the West Bowie County Rotary Club hosts a marathon and half-marathon fundraiser for the club. The date for this year’s race is October 12th, 2024. Participants may walk or run the entire course of the half-marathon, or they may team up with two or four others to transverse half or a quarter of the course. The marathon course is run only and there is a time-limit of six hours. There is no time limit for the half marathon.

This half-marathon race, our ninth annual, is being run from De Kalb, Texas, to New Boston, Texas. The marathon race, our fourth, is being run from Avery, Texas through De Kalb, Texas to finish in New Boston, Texas. These races are run on the northeast end of the longest hike/bike trail in Texas (130 miles). The Northeast Texas trail runs from Trailhead Pavilion in New Boston, Texas, to Farmersville, Texas. In the late 1990’s, two railroads, the Union Pacific and the Chaparral, decided to cease active service and “rail-banked” this stretch of rail bed making it available for non-motorized activities.

A post-race celebration will take place at the finish line at the Trailhead Pavilion in New Boston.

Register for the Race

Click here to register for the race. This will take you to runsignup.com where you can register for the race. Runsignup.com is a leader in race registration and will ensure that your registration information is well taken care of. You may also register for the race by coming Friday evening to Trailhead Park under the pavilion from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. We will take final entrants and registrations on the evening of October 12th, 2024 until 6:00 PM. The cost of the race is $95 for single runners of the marathon, $55 for single runners of the half-marathon, $45 per person for a relay of two, and $35 per person for a four-person relay. Student athletes may participate for $25 / person.

The Race Course

This race follows the Northeast Texas Trail from Avery to DeKalb to the trail’s end in New Boston, Texas. The marathon race begins in Avery, Texas at the intersection of CR 4310 and CR 4315. The half-marathon begins in DeKalb, Texas right next to U.S. Highway 82 about 1/4 mile east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and U.S. Highway 259 and just east of NW Martin Luther King Junior drive. The improved dirt trail runs through Avery and DeKalb going east, into and out of Malta, TX, and into New Boston at the intersection of Texas State Highway 98 and U.S. Highway 82. From there, it runs along a paved stretch until it reaches Trailhead Park in downtown New Boston, Texas. The length of the race is 26.2 miles for the marathon and 13.1 miles for the half-marathon. We will have shuttles to take runners to these locations before the race begins.

Safety, Nutrition, and Aid Stations

There are several road crossings along this route. Police and Fire personnel along with volunteers will be present at each road crossing to ensure that traffic stops. We want you to be safe while running! We will also provide nutrition and aid stations along the route at miles 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 for the half marathon, and at miles 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24  for the marathon. These stations will provide water, Gatorade, bananas, nutrition bars, and other fruit. Marathon runners are encouraged to bring their own nutrition. You may bring your own cup, if you wish, and fill it. Attendants at the nutrition stations will also hand you a drink in a cup and pick up your cup after you are finished with it.

Race Day Information

For the half-marathon, the race begins on the west side of DeKalb, Texas. To facilitate the participants’ timely arrival, the Rotary Club will provide transportation via bus to this location. You may park at Trailhead Park in New Boston, Tx and then ride the bus to DeKalb, Texas for the start of the race. Please arrive in New Boston at 7:00 AM. There will be two buses to transport participants at two different times. If you miss the first bus, you may take the second, but if you miss the second, you may need to provide your own transportation. Participants who opt for the relay will provide their own transportation to the relay points.

For the marathon, the race begins on the west side of Avery, Texas at the intersection of CR 4315 and 4310. To facilitate the participants’ timely arrival, the Rotary Club will provide transportation via bus to this location. You may park at Trailhead Park in New Boston, Tx and then ride the bus to DeKalb, Texas for the start of the race. Please arrive in New Boston at 6:00 AM. There will be one bus to transport participants to the start. If you miss the bus, you will need to provide your own transportation. Participants who opt for the relay will provide their own transportation to the relay points.

7:00 AM – Marathon runners begin.

7:30 AM – Half-marathon walking participants begin the race.

8:00 AM – Half-marathon Run/Walk participants begin the race (this includes relay runners).

Swag and Prize for Winning the Race

The male and female winners of this race will receive a $100 prize and some other nice prizes that some of our sponsors provide. Every walker and runner that finishes the race will receive a finisher medal for this event along with a promotional t-shirt and goodie bag.

Post Race Celebration

After the race, participants are invited to relax and visit at the Trailhead Park in New Boston, Texas. We serve a wonderful chicken-fajita meal with all of the fixin’s. Water, Gatorade, Ice Tea (Sweet and Unsweet) and Chocolate milk will be available to all runners so that they can replenish their nutrients at the race’s end. You will not want to miss this great time of relaxation and family fun!

Who the Race Benefits

The West Bowie County Rotary Club has several charitable projects. These projects are focused on benefiting students of schools in West Bowie County. In the fall, we deliver dictionaries to all third-grade students in ten elementary schools. In the winter, we help deserving families of students during the holidays. In the spring, we send six juniors to RYLA Leadership camp. At the end of the school year, we give scholarships to deserving seniors looking for college tuition aid. We also support the New Boston United Fund, Special Olympics, and local backpack programs for deserving students. Corporations and individuals, who give to our organization, may rest assured that these funds will be used responsibly.

Directions to New Boston, Texas

On your GPS device or google maps, search for Trailhead Park, New Boston, Tx. This will bring up a route on your electronic device to Trailhead Park where the race kicks off. Otherwise, see the directions below.

Directions From Dallas

From Dallas, hop on Interstate 30 going east. Take exit number 201, and turn right on N. McCoy Blvd. (State Highway 8). Go south approximately a half-mile and take the exit ramp after the light at E. Hoskins St. Take a right onto U.S. Highway 82. Go through the light at the intersection, and make a u-turn into the parking lot to the south. This is New Boston’s, Trailhead Park.

Directions from Houston

From Houston, hop on U.S. Highway 59 N. to Linden, Tx. In Linden, turn left on State Highway 156, then right onto State Highway 8 North. Stay on State Highway North to Maud. Turn left on U.S. Highway 67 in Maud. Go about three miles and turn right on State Highway 8 North to New Boston. When you cross the bridge stay right and exit onto the ramp for U.S.Highway 82. Take a right onto U.S. Highway 82. Go through the light at the intersection, and make a u-turn into the parking lot to the south. This is New Boston’s, Trailhead Park.

Directions from Little Rock

From Little Rock, get on Interstate 30 going west. Take exit number 201, and turn right on N. McCoy Blvd. (State Highway 8). Go south approximately a half-mile and take the exit ramp after the light at E. Hoskins St. Take a right onto U.S. Highway 82. Go through the light at the intersection, and make a u-turn into the parking lot to the south. This is New Boston’s, Trailhead Park.

Directions from Shreveport

From Shreveport, LA, get on Interstate 49 and go North to Texarkana, TX. When you get to Texarkana, take Loop 151 west toward Texas. Stay on the loop until you get to Interstate 30. Take Interstate 30 west to New Boston, Texas. Take exit 201 and turn left at the light. Go across the freeway and continue south on N. McCoy Blvd. Go south approximately a half-mile and take the exit ramp after the light at E. Hoskins St. Take a right onto U.S. Highway 82. Go through the light at the intersection, and make a u-turn into the parking lot to the south. This is New Boston’s, Trailhead Park.

Sponsorships

Much of our fundraising comes from our generous sponsors.  These are businesses that want to support the efforts of the club and advertise their products at a high profile community event. Sponsors may purchase a $500, $750, $1000, or $2500 package. The benefits of these packages are listed below.

Platinum Sponsorship $3000 (1 Sponsorship Offered)

  • Recognition throughout the race as presenting sponsor.
  • Press release recognition as presenting sponsor for the race.
  • Radio Station recognition as presenting sponsor for the race.
  • The presenting sponsor’s logo will be prominently displayed on the T-Shirt and all event materials.
  • The company logo will be prominently displayed on banners throughout the race and the Rotary year at all of the club’s events.
  • Promotional materials placed in participant goody bags.
  • Additional promotional efforts within reason.

Gold Sponsorship $2500 (2 Sponsorships Offered)

  • Company logo displayed on half marathon T-Shirts.
  • Company sign displayed on the racecourse.
  • Company logo displayed on all event material.
  • Promotional materials placed in participant goody bags.

Silver Sponsorship $1000 (3 Sponsorships Offered)

  • Company logo displayed on half marathon T-Shirts.
  • Company logo displayed on all event material.
  • Promotional materials placed in participant goody bags.

Bronze Sponsorship $500 (4 Sponsorships Offered)

  • Company logo displayed on half marathon T-Shirts.
  • Promotional materials placed in participants’ goody bags.

For additional sponsorship details, contact us on https://runsignup.com/runtherail.