December 10, 2023
Travis County Expo Center
Half Marathon
5K
Fun Kids Mile
Congratulations runners and thanks for joining us for the 45th running of the Decker Challenge! You conquered the hills on a cold and windy day, and we celebrate all of you.
Special thanks to our sponsors and vendors for their support!
In 1979, Austin Runners Club organized a race on the roads around Decker Lake in east Austin and the Decker Challenge was born. Get ready and join us on December 10, 2023 for the 45th running of one of Austin’s oldest and most iconic races.
The Decker Challenge is a family-friendly event that includes competitive Half Marathon and 5K distances, plus a fun Kids Mile. Challenge yourself on this legendary course and conquer the famous hills of Decker. Once you cross the finish line, celebrate with your friends, family and fellow runners at the finisher’s party. Half Marathon and 5K finishers receive the famous Decker t-shirt, highly-coveted and hard-earned finisher's medal and free race photos.
In addition to the competitive races, there is a fun Kids Mile as part of the overall race experience. Kids will embark on a moderately challenging 1-mile course and cross the same finish line as the Half Marathon and 5K races. All Kids Mile finishers will receive a commemorative wristband.
Decker Challenge 5K - USATF certified
Half Marathon (Click image for link to MapMyRun)
Kid’s Mile (Click image for link to MapMyRun)
Congratulations to our top finishers and all of our runners.
Click here for a complete list of results.
Half Marathon
Top 3 Female
Sarah Rimel
Kristen Starr
Sara Damiano
Top 3 Male
Mark Pinales
Tyler Shirley
Antonio Sanchez
Top 3 Masters Female
Vanessa Mitchell
Stacey Gilmore
Jill Attia
Top 3 Masters Male
Patrick Lee
Tim Bayliss
Mahdi Kefayati
Top Nonbinary
Brandi Alberson
5K Race
Top Female
Anayeli Jaimes
Top Male
Tommy Boles
Top Masters Female
Devon Bijansky
Top Masters Male
Max Rohleder
Decker Challenge Pace Groups
Special thanks to our pacers from Twenty-Six Two for leading our runners, helping them achieve their goals and navigate this challenging course.
Twenty-Six Two Pace Group Leaders are experienced runners that are selected based on their previous racing experience and past pacing performances. They know what it takes to hold a steady pace over the Decker hills and are committed to providing a great race experience for runners, no matter what pace you're running!
Look for the Pace Group Leaders wearing Pacer singlets in the starting area and holding signs printed with projected finished times. Pacers will be in the starting corral near their respective signs indicating pace per mile. We recommend lining up and meeting your desired pace group at least 15 minutes before the start of the race. Pace Group Leaders will provide final instructions prior to the race start. This may include any adjustments to pacing due to course or weather conditions. Meeting your pace group early is also a great opportunity to ask any questions about the race or course.
Water stations: It is up to the Pace Group Leader whether the pace group will walk or run through the water stations. Each Pace Group Leader will decide the strategy for getting back together after a water stop. Be sure to check with your group leader prior to the start if this is important to you.
Most importantly, we want you to run your own race and have a great experience! If you feel strong on race day and want to catch the next group, that's awesome! If it’s not your day, be patient, slow down and wait for the next pace group. And if it works best to run your own pace, that's fine too. We're cheering everyone on and want you to cross the finish line healthy and strong!
Pace Groups for 2023 Decker Challenge Half Marathon (tentative and subject to change):
1:30
1:40
1:50
2:00
2:10
2:20
2:30
2:40
Congrats DC Participants!
The Decker Challenge Half Marathon is race #4 of the Austin Distance Challenge (DC).
Next up, 3M Half Marathon on January 21, 2024. Be sure to look for the Distance Den and we'll see you there!
All proceeds from the Daisy Dash benefit the Marathon Kids Program.
Founded in 1995, Marathon Kids is the only evidence-based structured physical activity program specifically designed for children in the United States. Using technology and research-proven methods, Marathon Kids aims to get kids moving!
With the help of coaches and mentors, kids in Austin ISD and nationwide set big goals and are challenged to run, jog, walk, or move the equivalent of four (or more!) marathons over the course of a season or school year.
Marathon Kids provides training, tools, and resources to the dedicated coaches, PE teachers, and other community volunteers who motivate kids to take their first step towards a healthier future and positively impact mental health. Since its inception, Marathon Kids has supported over 2.5 million young runners, currently over 200,000 annually.
Email us races@austinrunners.org with any questions.
The Austin Runners Club is a non-profit, in Austin, Texas. We have proudly served the ATX running community since 1974.
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