Sunday, December 14th will be the 39th Dallas White Rock Marathon!

18,000 Runners will be running through Downtown Dallas as the final leg of 26.2 Miles. 

Finish Strong Dallas is located at Mile 25.   Elite Runners will reach Mile 25 around 9:50 AM.  Majority of runners will be at Mile 25 between 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM.  The peak times are a frenzy of activity. 

Finish Strong Dallas is organizing a large volunteer effort of Task Volunteers and Encourager Volunteers from DFW area Christian churches, home groups, life groups, and other Christian-based organizations. 

For 2008, Finish Strong Dallas is offering TWO "Key Spots" for volunteers along mile 25 to get involved. These spots are sponsored by Watermark Community Church and Dallas Life. You can see their locations on our map.

At mile 25, we seek to reach people at the point of greatest need - and mile 25 of a 26 mile run certainly meets that criteria.  The main emphasis will be to encourage, support, and cheer on the runners in their final leg of the race.  Traditionally the final leg of the race is very quiet for the runner – in past years Downtown Dallas has very few encouragers.  We have changed that as we show the community that we are a Christian Community in Dallas that loves Christ, loves our community, and encourages our community to “Finish Strong” – whether a runner or another spectator living downtown.  So we have adopted this phrase “Finish Strong” as the theme for our point in the marathon.  In 2006, Finish Strong had 350 to 400 Volunteers during the peak times.  We seek to grow and can handle many more volunteers.  

This event is also designed to teach people the importance of encouragement in their daily lives, with their family, work, and friends.  We are also an official aid station at mile 25 – and will be providing water, Gatorade, medical aid, and fruit to the runners.  Serving 18,000 people in a period of just a few hours, we need as much participation as possible.  We have music and designated “cheerleaders” to guide and coach the volunteers in the best techniques to encourage.  Many people think of this as a Block Party.  That's a great description of the morning! 

Encourager Volunteers – the largest volunteer group needed – will hold posters encouraging runners, clap, and call runners by name (many wear their name on their shirt) as they encourage them.  We strongly urge that they call out runners by specific identifying elements that runners often wear on their shirt or shorts - such as logos, schools, companies, etc.

Many repeat marathon runners actually have their name in large print on their number they wear – so they can be directly addressed by spectators and encouraged.

Task Volunteers – assist with the actual aid station part of the race – preparing water, Gatorade, clean-up, and other elements of this portion of the Finish Strong Project. 

Think about it – what do you want people to think about your the Dallas Christian Community?

1.  Nothing??  Because we did nothing as 18,000 people ran through the heart of our city?

2.  Or would you want them to remember the Dallas Christian Community with thoughts like “they cared for me – and they did not even know me!”

Please excuse the obvious – but What Would Jesus Do?

We also welcome downtown and uptown residents and workers to join in the festivities.  The music will start early! 

Some churches, life groups, home groups, bible studies, and other Christian organizations have already committed to use this as an opportunity for a “community service project”.  You and your group may want to consider this as well.  With Planning Committee approval, you are welcome to bring your own banner or sign promoting your Christian group or organization.  If you wish to volunteer or learn more – please just contact Jan Blake, our Volunteer Coordinator and let her know your group will be there and for what times.  She can be reached via e-mail.