The race is on! State Fair 5K Race slated for Saturday, Sept. 29

The State Fair of Texas kicks off its 7th annual State Fair 5K Run and Big Tex Mile on Saturday, Sept. 29. Participants will gather at Exposition Plaza, near Fair Park at Exposition and Canton streets, in a race that benefits the 2008-2009 recipients of the State Fair Scholarship Fund.

The morning will be filled with music provided by DJ's from local radio stations. For walkers, the Big Tex Mile starts at 8:30 a.m. The 5K race follows at 8:45 a.m., and the route will continue through Deep Ellum and the Lower Swiss Avenue neighborhoods. The event is designed for both serious athletes and for families and groups running for the cause.

Runners can take advantage of early registration available online at www.getmeregistered.com or drop by Run On! stores in Dallas, Coppell, and Richardson to register in person. Early registration fees are $20 before September 26; a flat $10 fee will apply to participants 65 and over and 16 and younger. On race day, the charge will be $25.

Entry fees include a FREE, good-any-day ticket to the State Fair (Sept. 28-Oct. 21) and an official race t-shirt. Top overall male and female division finishers will receive two complimentary Southwest Airline tickets. A Big Tex commemorative award will also be given to the top 3 categories at a special ceremony at the Exposition Plaza finish line immediately following the race. Snacks, drinks and prizes will be donated by generous backers of the event.

Proceeds benefit the State Fair Scholarship Fund established in 1992. To date, more than $1.9 million in college scholarships have been awarded to young people who participate in the State Fair livestock shows and to outstanding graduates of four Fair Park-area high schools: Lincoln, Madison, North Dallas and Woodrow Wilson.

The State Fair 5K Run and Big Tex Mile are sponsored by Time Warner Cable, Lockheed Martin, Wal-Mart, Chicago Title, State Fair of Texas Task Force, DART, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Airlines, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Run On!, Cantex Realties, Inc., Coca-Cola, Joseph Industries, Lynxx USA, Ben E. Keith Foods, Emerald Press, Inc. and General Motors.

Media partners include CBS 11, TXA 21, 103.7 lite fm, 100.3 Jack FM, KRLD, Univision 23, Telefutura 49, Recuerdo 94.1 FM and La Que Buena 107.9.

DART is the official transportation provider for the race; participants interested in 'riding the rail' can stop at the Pearl Street station downtown and catch a shuttle bus which will drop off passengers at Main and Canton. This route will be available from 7:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. DART Runners and walkers should be at the starting line by 8 a.m. Additional travel information can be accessed at www.dart.org. There will also be parking available at Gate 2 off of Haskell for $10. Trams will be available to take runners to Exposition Plaza and back to the Fair.

Contact: Carmen Garcia
Director of Community Affairs
214-421-8877
cgarcia@bigtex.com