Best Dam Run - 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Junior Beavers 1/4 Mile

The Wichita Falls Runners Club (WFRC) has hosted the Best Dam Run in Texas since 2001!

This great course follows the Wichita Falls Circle Trail alongside Lake Wichita and then leads half-marathon runners past the Dam and through Weeks and Hamilton Parks. The trail is a fully paved 10ft wide path.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Midwestern State University’s Women’s Cross Country team and enable the WFRC to host additional events for our community.

Join us on Saturday, September 16 for a great running experience!

Location

Lake Wichita Park – Main Pavilion
Southern End of Fairway Blvd. (Lake Wichita Park – The Hill)
Wichita Falls, TX 76310

Event Schedule

PACKET PICKUP

Endurance House 
5007 Taft Blvd
Wichita Falls, TX 76308 
Friday, September 15 – 5.00pm - 7.00pm

Lake Wichita Park – Main Pavilion
Southern End of Fairway Blvd. (Lake Wichita Park – The Hill)
Wichita Falls, TX 76310
Saturday, September 16 – 6.30am - 7.30am

Please note: Packets are not provided for the free Junior Beaver 1/4 Mile event. Junior Beaver's will receive a cute Best Dam Run dog tag at the finish line.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

6.45 am - Check-in opens
7.20 am - Half Marathon runners line up
7.30 am - Half marathon commences
7.35 am - Junior Beavers line up and commence run
7.50 am - 5k and 10k runners line up
8.00 am - 5k and 10k run commences
9.00 am - 5k run awards presentation
9.30 am - 10k run awards presentation
10.30 am - Half marathon awards presentation
11.30 am - Event ends

Once you cross the finish line, relax, and enjoy a post-run beverage while you wait for your family and friends. There is a playground to keep the kids amused and also “The Hill” for anyone who has the energy left to walk up it!

What You Will Receive!

•    Event t-shirt*
•    Finishers medallion
•    Chip timing
•    Free downloadable pictures
•    Unique awards
•    Refreshments
•    Cooling towels
•    Finishers Certificate download
•    A great experience, and a strong spirit of camaraderie with your fellow runners
•    Feeling of accomplishment!

* Sizes only guaranteed until cutoff date of Sunday, September 3, 2023.

Age Group Awards

This event will be offering Age Group Awards. The top finishers in each age category will receive a custom age group award! The age group categories are:

•    10 and under
•    11-14
•    15-19
•    20-24
•    25-29
•    30-34
•    35-39
•    40-44
•    45-49
•    50-54
•    55-59
•    60-64
•    65-69
•    70 plus

Age group awards are only available on the day of the event and will not be available for shipment once the event has concluded.

Course Map

The downloadable course map on this page shows the locations of the:
•    Event Headquarters
•    Turnarounds for the 5k, 10k and half marathon
•    Hydration stations
•    Porta potties

Timing

The Best Dam Run is timed and scored by the WFRC timing team. Results will be posted on RunSignup directly after the event finishes.

FAQ's

Is walking allowed? Yes absolutely! We have many walkers, joggers, and run/walkers at this event!

Are strollers allowed? You are welcome to use a stroller for this event, but all strollers will be asked to start at the back of the group in order to have our runners leave the start line safely. 

Is the race dog friendly? We love dogs, but for runner safety we don’t allow dogs on the course. Although the paved trails are wide runners will be coming out and back and we don’t want runners to trip over your pooch.

If I sign up my young child for the event, can I run with my them? Yes, you can! The Junior Beavers 1/4 mile is a fun run for the little ones and parental encouragement is welcomed. Anyone running the 5k, 10k or half marathon with their children must also sign up as a participant.

Where do I park? There are many parking spaces at Lake Wichita Park, but parking close to the pavilion is limited, so be sure to arrive early for your event so you have time to park and check-in. NO PARKING ON THE GRASS is allowed for this event! 

What happens if it rains? The Best Dam Run takes place rain or shine, and there are no refunds due to weather events. If there is inclement weather, we will do everything in our power to hold the Best Dam Run as scheduled, however, in the case of excessive wind or rain, we may be forced to modify the event. Participant safety is our number one concern. Be sure to stay connected on the event day by checking for emails and following the Best Dam Run Facebook Event Page or the WFRC Facebook page for updates. This is the best way for us to communicate event day updates or alerts.

I still have questions, who do I contact?  Please reach out to us at wichitafallsrunnersclub@gmail.com, or use the contact form on this page, we'd love to hear from you!