Plano Balloon Fest

10K, 5K, AND 1K FINISHER MEDALS FOR PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RACES

The 2022 Plano Balloon Festival Races finisher medals will have you sliding and gliding into the finish line, to earn one of these air-tastic medals on September 24-25! Each race medal features 12 colorful hot air balloons and is set in antique silver. The 5K and 10K medals both feature a hot air balloon that slides up and down! The 1K and 5K medals are both 3″ and the 10K medal is 3 1/2″ in size.

Runner registration also includes complimentary parking at Collin College on race day and two tickets to the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival that may be used September 22-25. The gates open at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and free breakfast set-up for runners to enjoy before or after their race.

2022 RACE REGISTRATION IS OPEN WITH LOW FEES VALID THROUGH OCTOBER 31

The 2022 Plano Balloon Festival Races are officially scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 24 (5K & 1K) and Sunday, September 25 (10K & Half Marathon); once again featuring the Elevate and Sky High Challenges! New commemorative finisher medals will be designed and given to all participants at the completion of each distance.

VIRTUAL CELEBRATION FOR 10TH PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RACES

The news is out that the Central Market Plano Balloon Festival has been canceled. But as we turn the corner, there’s still a hot and humid breeze of excitement ready to carry us forward, one step at a time. Runners across the country are now registering for the 10th Annual Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1K and the Sky High and Elevate Challenges!

CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL CANCELED

The Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Central Market Plano Balloon Festival that was scheduled for September 18-20. In these uncertain times, the Festival board and staff considered the health and safety of Festival attendees, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and pilots a top priority. The Festival is extremely mindful of the large numbers of balloon pilots that come from all areas of the country, attendees drawn from the DFW area and beyond, supportive sponsors and vendors, thousands of volunteers, and on-site contractors. Providing a safe environment for everyone that visits the event is crucial. Safety has been at the forefront of the Festival from the very beginning and that will not change.

Continue reading “CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL CANCELED”

EARLY RUNNER REGISTRATION ENDS MARCH 31 FOR PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RACES

Early registration for the Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1K ends March 31st! Sign-up now for the September 19-20 race dates and prepare to go the distance this Fall. On April 1st the registration fees go up just like the hot air balloons that are scheduled each morning as the race begins.

What’s included in your race registration? This epic adventure is a soaring experience that comes with a colorful customized finisher medal, two tickets to the Central Market Plano Balloon Festival, race day parking pass, and a gender specific, short sleeve, dry fit style race shirt.

Continue reading “EARLY RUNNER REGISTRATION ENDS MARCH 31 FOR PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RACES”

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR 2020 PBF RACES

It’s time to aim high for 2020 and soar through the 10 year anniversary of running at the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival! Now is the time to get in early and save on race registration for all distances. Sign-up now before these prices fly away. You may select to have your race packet mailed to you during registration for an additional fee of $20.

Sky High Challenge (5K & Half Marathon): $75.00

Elevate Challenge (5K & 10K): $45.00

Half Marathon: $60.00

10K: $30.00

5K & 1K : $20.00

Continue reading “REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR 2020 PBF RACES”

INTOUCH CREDIT UNION PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF BALLOONING

The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival is celebrating 40 years of ballooning in Plano during the three-day weekend that begins September 20. This annual festival is held in the City of Plano, proudly known as the Official Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas. More than 85,000 guests are expected to attend this 40^th birthday party set in Plano’s largest park, the Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve.

“This is our birthday year and we are extremely excited about it! The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival brings in pilots from all around the country and offers our community a low-cost, family fun event. The City of Plano does an outstanding job of supporting this event each year.” says Executive Director, Jo Via.

Continue reading “INTOUCH CREDIT UNION PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF BALLOONING”

RUNNER REGISTRATION INCREASES AUGUST 31

Runner registration increases at midnight on August 31st for the Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon, Sky High Challenge, Elevate Challenge, 10K, 5K and 1K run/walk! All registration must be completed online since race day sign-up is not available.

Friday, September 20, 2019 at Noon the online registration closes for the Sky High Challenge, Elevate Challenge, 5K, and 1K. Saturday, September 21, 2019 at Noon the Half Marathon and 10K online registration closes. All races are subject to being closed earlier if the event becomes sold out.

Continue reading “RUNNER REGISTRATION INCREASES AUGUST 31”

ASCEND INTO SPRING AND START TRAINING FOR THE PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RACES

Ascend into Spring and sign-up for early runner registration for the Plano Balloon Festival Races. Early registration for the Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1K, Elevate Challenge, and Sky High Challenge ends on March 31st. Starting in April the prices increase up to $15 more per distance.

The Plano Balloon Festival Races will be held Saturday, September 21, 2019 and Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival. The race location is at Oak Point Park and the Course Maps give details about water stations, starting/finish lines, mile markers and restrooms.

Continue reading “ASCEND INTO SPRING AND START TRAINING FOR THE PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RACES”

THE 10K RACE HAS A NEW FESTIVAL FINISH

Good news! The 10K race for 2018 is officially sold out with a maximum registration of 750 runners. Even better news is that the finish line for the 10K ends back at the festival. The course originally had a route that started at the festival, north on Jupiter Road, southeast on Los Rios Blvd, and then a zig zag of more than 10 streets, to finish at Bob Woodruff Park and wait to be shuttled back to the festival.

“We are fortunate to discover a new section of trail that allows the 10K finish at the festival with the half marathon runners. The benefit is the 10K participants finish directly at the festival and don’t have to ride shuttles. They’ll have immediate access to the food, entertainment, and a chance to see the folks who came to cheer when they cross the finish line,” says Eric Lindberg, Chief Running Officer with On Your Left! Marketing & Events.

Continue reading “THE 10K RACE HAS A NEW FESTIVAL FINISH”

Sponsors