Race Information

About the Bayou City Classic:

The Bayou City Classic 10k is Houston's premier 10k race and walk!  The Bayou City Classic 10k has been a Houston tradition for more than 45 years (we celebrated our Sapphire Anniversary in 2022 and are the oldest 10k in Texas) and attracts more than 3000 runners, walkers, and volunteers.

Donation

Why we put on this event:

Proceeds from the Bayou City Classic go toward helping maintain and develop trails for running and walking in our city parks.  The trails are available to anyone who lives in or visits Houston looking for a place to exercise or find a green haven away from the hustle and bustle of Houston's big city life.  Help preserve the trees!  We were able to raise over $250,000 for the Houston Parks & Recreation Department since 2013.

RRCA Championship Series

RRCA Championship Series:

The goal of the Road Runners Club of America Championship Event Series is to shine a spotlight on well-run events and to award top performing runners in the open, masters (40+), grand masters (50+), and senior grand masters (60+) categories for both men and women.  Since 1958, the RRCA has awarded championship events through a competitive bidding process at the National, Regional, and State level to RRCA member clubs and events to promote the sport of distance running.  The Bayou City Classic is proud to have been selected as the RRCA State Championship 10k Race for 2013, the RRCA Regional Championship 10k Race for 2014, RRCA State Championship 10k Race for 2015, the RRCA State Champtionship 10k Race for 2016, the RRCA State Championship 10k Race for 2018, the RRCA State Championship 10k Race for 2022, and the RRCA State Championship 10k Race for 2024!

Tall Buildings

Race Dates & Location:

Race Day is Saturday, March 2, 2024.

Start Time:

Wheelchair participants begin the 10k at 7:50 a.m.  Runners and walkers begin the 10k at 8:00 a.m.  Wheelchair participants begin the 5k at 8:15 a.m.  Runners and walkers begin the 5k at 8:20 a.m.

Where:

Both the 10k race and the 5k fun run begin in Downtown Houston, near City Hall.   The Post Race Party will be in Hermann Square, in front of City Hall.

Distance:

The race distances are 10 kilometers (or 6.2 miles) and 5 kilometers (or 3.1 miles).

Who Can Participate?

The 10k and 5k are open to all who register.

Entry Fees:

You can register for the race here. 

You can save by registering early for the Bayou City Classic!  Houston Area Road Runners Association (HARRA) Members receive a discount on fees! Check the HARRA Newsletter for a code.  You may join HARRA here. 

    • Early Bird (extended to 9/14/23): $35 (Lowest Price - no additional discounts)
    • Early (9/15/22 to 1/15/23): $45
    • Regular (1/16/24 to 3/1/24): $50
    • Race Morning: $55. Must be registered by 7:30 AM to be eligible for awards.
Brides

Each Centipede Member must be registered.  Online registration is available here.

Prizes and Awards:

There will be no duplication of awards.  Awards for the in-person 10k and 5k will be based on chip time, but you must wear the timing device to be timed.  No awards will be mailed: if a winner is not present at the Awards Ceremony, a representative of the winner may collect the award.  Otherwise, winners must pick their awards by May 15, 2024, at a location to be announced later.

For race updates, follow us on Facebook Button, Follow bcc10k on X, and Instagram Button.

Bib Pickup (and Late Registration):

Plan to have your race bib picked up at one of the packet pick up locations listed below. You may have a family member or friend collect your bib.  For race updates, follow us on Facebook Button or Follow bcc10k on X.

Saturday, February 24
from noon - 5 pm		 lululemon
5051 Westheimer
Galleria 1, Suite A-3473
(Across from Victoria's Secret on level 2
enter from Orange Garage)
Sunday, February 26
from noon - 5 pm		 lululemon
5051 Westheimer
Galleria 1, Suite A-3473
(Across from Victoria's Secret on level 2
enter from Orange Garage)
Friday, March 1
from 11 am - 6 pm		 Fleet Feet
4502 Greenbriar Drive
Saturday, March 2
from 6 am - 7:15 am		 City Hall 901 Bagby Street

Runners who pick up at the Houston Galleria lululemon store between noon and 5 PM, February 24 or February 25 will receive a ticket upon pickup to redeem 25% discount in store same day (Houston Galleria location only), subject to the exclusions below:
    • May only be used at the Housotn Galleria lululemon location
    • Cannot use discount on markdowns or in conjunction with any other discount
    • Limited to only fifteen (15) items per runner/person picking up packets
    • Limited to one ticket per runner/person picking up packets

    Race Day Registration: Open till 7:15AM, but you must signup online and pay by credit card before you request your bib. We will have a QR code to scan with your cell phone for fast signup. ABSOLUTELY NO IN-PERSON PAPER REGISTRATION FORMS ACCEPTED AND NO CHANGE WILL BE GIVEN.

    NO SWITCHING EVENTS ON RACE DAY!!

Refunds & Transfers:

There will be no refunds or transfers (giving your entry to another person), no exceptions (even if the race is cancelled in the event of bad weather or circumstances beyond our control). You may switch to the Virtual Race before the race begins. 

Course:

Our 10k race course is certified by the Road Running Technical Council of USATF as TX19006JH.  The 10k course starts on Smith Street and finishes downtown along McKinney Street near City Hall.  Find our USATF-certified 10k map here.

Our 5k course starts on Walker Street and and finishes also finished along McKinney Street near City Hall. Find our USATF-certified (TXZ19007JH) 5k map here.

2023 Swag

Race Swag:

All finishers receive a finisher's medal. The first 1500 participants who register receive a high quality, short-sleeved technical shirt from lululemon bearing the distinctive Bayou City Classic logo designed by local artist and runner April Murphy. Shirt sizes are not guaranteed but preferred sizing will be available at packet pickup on a first-come-first-served basis. Those participants who do not receive a lululemon shirt will still receive a technical shirt bearing the Bayou City Classic logo.

Post Race Party and Awards Ceremony:

After the race, enjoy refreshments donated by our fabulous sponsors and music at City Hall around the reflection pool of Hermann Square.  The awards ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m.  The party goes on and on!

Parking:

Please arrive early enough to find parking and make your way to the Start Line before 7:45 a.m.  Street parking is not free on Saturdays and streets around the Start Line and Finish Line may be closed.  You can find the locations of parking garages here.

Race Scoring:

Race scoring for the in-person 10k and the 5k will be done by electronic timing.  You will not be considered an official finisher if you detach the timing device from your bib. 

Volunteers:

The Bayou City Classic cannot take place without the help of wonderful volunteers.  We can use your help before the race and on race day.  Some of the opportunities include:

Post Race Party Volunteer
  • Before the Race:
    • Packet Pick Up
    • Post Race Party Set Up
  • On Race Day:
    • Start Line
    • Water Stop
    • Race Course
    • Medal Distribution
    • Post Race Party
*New* this year: technical fabric volunteer shirts! Please visit Volunteer for more information.

To volunteer, please register here, go to the Contact Us page to complete the form with your name and contact information and select "Volunteer" as the subject, or email Susan. Service hour certificates will be provided to those needing them for school credit. HARRA members receive VVIP points and volunteering counts for IRONFOOT Awards.