Bearathon FAQ
Who is allowed to participate in the Sic 'Em 6K and half marathon?
Anyone 15 years old or older on the day of the race, who has completed registration, may participate in the half marathon.
Anyone 8 years old or older on the day of the race, who has completed registration, may participate in the Sic 'Em 6K.
How much is the Sic 'Em 6K and half marathon?
Pricing can be found here. Prices will increase as the date of the race approaches.
What time does the race begin this year?
Visit our Race Guide page for start times.
Can I register in-person the day of the race?
We are not allowing walk-up race registrations the morning of the race.
All registrations must be completed by noon, the day before the race, via the electronic registration portal.
Are pets allowed in the race?
Unfortunately, no. Pets are not allowed to participate in the Sic 'Em 6K or the half marathon because both races finish on the McLane Stadium field, which prohibits animals.
All standing Baylor policies apply to pets around the McLane Stadium area.
Owners must be prepared to pick up after their pets.
When will I receive my Bearathon gear?
Certain gear is provided in your registration packet.
Visit our race packet page for more information.
Can I get a refund? What is the runner cancellation policy?
Similar to race industry best practices, refunds are not provided, registration is non-transferrable, and registration cannot be extended to a future year for any reason.
Can I bring a stroller with children?
Unfortunately, strollers are not permitted since both races conclude on the McLane Stadium field, which prohibits the use of non-race essential wheeled vehicles.
Will there be pace groups?
Yes! The half marathon will feature pace groups.
How will I be notified of changes due to inclement weather, disaster, etc.?
Be sure to monitor our social media @TheBearathon on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The race homepage (baylor.edu/bearathon) will also be updated regularly.
Visit our Inclement Weather and Cancellation page for more information.
Where and when is packet pick-up?
Visit our race packet page for more information.
Where do I park?
Visit our Parking and Construction Updates page for more information.
Can someone else pick up my packet?
Visit our Packet Pickup page for more information.
Where do the races start and finish?
Both races start and finish at McLane Stadium.
Will there be restrooms, water and aid stations?
Yes! Restrooms will be available along the course.
The Bearathon features several types of support stations along the course.
- Water Stations: Feature water and electrolyte drink mix. A water station will be located near each mile of the half marathon course except for mile 13.
- First Aid Stations: Feature band aids, anti-chafing balm, sunscreen, etc. for minor medical issues. There are three aid stations located at mile five, mile nine, and at the start/finish area
- Gel Stations: Energy gels will be available next to the water stations at miles 5 and 9 on the half-marathon course.
- Medical Stations: Staffed by medical professionals from Baylor Scott & White Healthcare who can address major health-related issues. Medical stations are located at near the start/finish area and Lovers Leap.
Each support station is also equipped with necessary equipment and training to understand injury and severe weather protocols, led by the Student Foundation representative.
What's the event cancellation policy?
Visit our Inclement Weather and Cancellation page for more information.
Can runners win the prize money of multiple categories?
Runners can only win one category. For instance, if a student category runner wins the half-marathon race overall, he or she is not eligible to win both the student and the overall prize money. In this scenario, the student who won the overall race would be awarded the greater prize and the next fastest student runner would be awarded the first place prize money of the student category.
Will I receive prize money the day of the race?
To ensure the security of prize money, top athletes will be asked to complete documentation after the race that will permit Baylor University to send prize money electronically to the athletes.
Please visit the race operations tent if you believe you won a category that receives prize money.
Can I change my race registration from the half-marathon to the 6K or from the 6K to the half-marathon?
Yes, you can transfer your registration. Transfer your registration via your account where you signed up for the race. For questions, contact bearathon@baylor.edu.
How do I contact Bearathon staff?
Prior to Race Day:
Email: bearathon@baylor.edu
Phone: 254-710-2371
Race Day:
Packet pickup or the race operations tent
Are wheelchairs allowed?
Yes, both races are open to racing wheelchairs that are pushed by another runner.
Standard wheelchairs are not suitable for either course, as they are not intended for race environments.
Wheelchair entries only require a single registration.
We kindly ask that you email the race directing team at bearathon@baylor.edu to notify planners that you will be participating with a racing wheelchair. Please provide your registration information.
The half marathon course features many steep grade hills. We highly recommend racing wheelchair teams familiarize themselves with running up and down steep hills and scout the race course in advance to ensure both preparation and safety.
Are the medals the same as last year?
Yes. This strategy enables us to give more money to scholarships and decrease waste. Every year, we have to over-order medals to ensure every runner receives one. This means we have surplus medals at the end of every race. If we produce a new medal design every year, we have throw away thousands of dollars worth of medals from the previous year. The cost of producing new medals is also higher than producing the same design year over year. Nonetheless, we do print new medal ribbons every year to differentiate each race. We realize runners would prefer a new medal design each year but we believe we can all agree that providing a pathway for more students to earn a college degree, which is a life altering achievement, is more important.
Why does my GPS watch indicate the finish line is further than 13.1 miles?
The Bearathon and Sic 'Em 6K are professionally certified routes. This means USA Track and Field has verified the race distances via a course certifier, which guarantees the courses are reliable. Though the race course is the same for everyone, each runner takes a different path along the course, resulting in slight variations in distance traveled. Additionally, GPS watches, though increasingly accurate, have been shown to report inconsistencies in distances due to irregularities in satellite connection, elevation, and even overhead obstructions, like highways, trees, and buildings.
When does registration close?
Registration closes at noon the day before the race.
What is the elevation gain for the half marathon?
Each runner selects a slightly different path along the race course, resulting in variations in individual statistics. However, in 2024, our data indicated the half marathon features 1,302 feat of total ascent throughout the entire course.