How Many Miles?!

The thousands of runners who'll be pounding the pavement at the Metro PCS Dallas White Rock Marathon this weekend can leave their iPods at home. A few dozen bands, including the hilariously named Fat Sandwich Band, will be turning out rock, country, pop and hip-hop tunes along the 26.2-mile marathon course. Besides the full marathon, there's also a half-marathon, a couple relays (including one exclusively for lawyers--there's a joke in there somewhere) and the mayor's 5K fun run. The White Rock Marathon is serious business for runners, especially since it's a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Let's face it; most of us (including myself) don't want to get out of our comfy, warm beds to run a chilly 26 miles. A special shout-out to my friend Sarah, who's running her first half-marathon with Team in Training on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. That's a lovely reason to run the rock. Of course, all proceeds from the race itself benefit the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, so if you're not running, be sure to show up and cheer on your favorite do-gooding marathoners anyway. The White Rock Marathon festivities begin Friday with a fitness expo, continues Saturday with the Mayor's 5K Fun Run and more expo, and conclude with the half- and marathons, post-race celebrations and awards on Sunday. For everything you need to know about the races, visit runtherock.com.
Sun., Dec. 13, 8 a.m., 2009