In 1979, the Austin Runners Club organized a race on the roads around Decker Lake in east Austin. The Decker Challenge was born! 

Today, the Decker Challenge Half Marathon is one of the longest-running races in Austin. This year in December, we'll be celebrating our 42nd annual event, but it will look a bit different than the first Decker Challenge and even last year's Decker Challenge.

The 42nd Annual Decker Challenge will take place as a virtual race from December 7th-20th, 2020.

The course:

You are free to design your own course on the roads or on the trails. In the spirit of the Decker Challenge, hills are always encouraged! Please be aware of your surroundings and road crossings and plan for appropriate hydration strategies while running.

The Perks

All participants will receive the coveted long-sleeve technical fabric Decker shirt; giveaways from our partners; and a Decker Challenge finisher's medal. Packet pickup will be available after the race in January (more information to come), or you can opt to have your packet mailed to you ($10 add-on during registration).

Accessibility:

We want our events to be accessible to all athletes. Athletes needing assistance with race registration costs should contact race director Jen Prince (vicepresident@austinrunners.org).