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 40 years (we celebrated our Ruby Anniversary in 2017 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.

Race Dates & Location:

Race Day is Saturday, March 5, 2022.  HOWEVER, you may chose to run this race VIRTUALLY in any location, at any time between Saturday,February 20, 2022, and Saturday, March 11, 2022. Those who participate virtually should submit their times between March 5 and March 11, 2022.  Virtual runners are not eligible for age group awards.

Start Time:

Wheelchair participants begin the 10k at 7:50 a.m.  Runners and walkers begin the 10k at 8:00 a.m.  All 5k participants start 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 (11/1/21 to 1/5/22): $35
    • Regular (1/6/22 to 2/21/22): $40
    • Late & Packet Pick Up (2/22/22 to 3/4/22): $45
    • Race Morning: $50. Must be registered by 7:30 AM to be eligible for awards.
Brides

Each Centipede Member must be registered.  Online registration is available here do not participate in the race, the proceeds from your entry will go towards the Houston Parks and Trails fund as a charitable contribution.

Prizes and Awards:

There will be no duplication of awards.  Awards for the in-person 10k and 5k will be based on gun 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, 2022, at a location to be announced later.

Virtual Results:

If you participate in the virtual event, plese submit your results between Saturday, March 5, 2022, and 11:59 pm (Central Time) Friday, March 11, 2022, in one of 2 ways:

    • Click on our results link (Find it by clicking on "Results" in the dropdown menu at the top where you will be able to pull up your name and enter your time). OR...
    • Send an email with your time to bcc at harra dot org

Since everyone competes on different courses under different conditions, no awards will be issued for the virtual events.

Upload pictures of your run to the Photos tab on this RunSignup race page.  Share to social media with hashtag #bcc2022.

For race updates, follow us on Facebook Button or Follow bcc10k on Twitter.

Bib Pickup (and Late Registration):

Plan to have your race bib picked up at one of the packet pick up locations to be announced soon.

Course:

Our 10k race course will be certified by the Road Running Technical Council of USATF.  The 10k course starts and finishes downtown along Dallas Street near Sam Houston Park. 

Our 5k course also starts and finishes near City Hall.

Finisher Shirts

Finishers' Shirts:

All finishers will receive a high quality,short-sleeved technical Finisher's Shirt bearing the distinctive *NEW* Bayou City Classic logo designed by local artist and runner April Murphy.  Those who particiapte in person will receive their shirts at the Post Race Party (no shirts will be given out prior to the race).   Virtual participants will recieve their shirts by mail, so please make sure your mailing address is correct when you register!

Post Race Party and Awards Ceremony:

After the race, enjoy refreshments donated by our fabulous sponsors, and music at Sam Houston Park.  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 do 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
    • Timers
    • Post Race Party
    • Finisher Shirt Distribution
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.