The Irving Oktoberfest half marathon Marathon is a race in Irving,
Texas, that pairs running with the atmosphere of a German autumn festival.
Part of the Irving Marathon running series, it offers half marathon and shorter road races at one event.
The organizers build on Oktoberfest's welcoming, crowd-gathering spirit, with music and food events after the race.
Half marathon passes through the Las Colinas Urban Center and along the Campion Trail.
The shorter race runs around Lake Carolyn and Las Colinas Boulevard, showing off the city's waterfront and the spaces between its buildings.
The organizers describe it as a flat course, so the terrain is very different from races that head into the hills.
Because each distance uses different roads, though, don't assume the short course past the lake is the same as the full half marathon.
The race also supports local education.
Each event in the series raises scholarship money for the Irving Schools Foundation and supports student volunteers in local school districts.
The team challenge awards not only fast times but also large turnouts and costumes, opening up more ways to take part as a group.
Half marathon racing, community events and the post-race festival all flow together.
The Las Colinas waterfront you meet on course and the local goal of supporting students form the backdrop of the event.
