LAST RUNNER REGISTRATION DISCOUNT & RACE REMINDERS

Race fees go up at midnight on August 31!! Missed the early registration pricing?  Don’t labor over it because we’ve got one final discount deal.  Use code: PBFLABORDAY during the Labor Day holiday valid September 1 through September 3 and receive $5 off all distances.  Click here to sign up.

 

 

We also have two reminders that runners need to know! First, if you would like to order the packet pick up mailing, the deadline to do so is 11:59 PM on Saturday, August 31st. To add it, and manage your registration, simply click the link in your email confirmation that reads Manage My Registration or you can:

 

1. Login at www.runsignup.com
2. Select Profile from the drop down menu in the upper right corner
3. Find your PBF registration and click Manage My Registration
4. From the left side navigation select Add Ons and follow the prompts
5. Bonus, also on the left side navigation you can Transfer Events, meaning you can upgrade or downgrade your distance using this feature
6. Bonus Two, also on the left side navigation you can manage your Give Away, meaning you can switch shirt sizes using this feature
7. Bonus Three, also on the left side navigation you can Transfer To Another Runner, meaning, you can transfer your race entry to someone else (at no charge), using this feature

 

 

Second, there is no race day packet pick up. A friend or family member may pick up for you, we just ask that they have your email confirmation. Here are the all of the upcoming packet pick up dates, times and locations:

 

• Saturday, September 7th, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Rahr & Sons Brewery, 701 Galveston Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104
• Saturday, September 14th, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Academy Sports + Outdoors, 1101 West Arbook Blvd., Arlington, TX 76015
• Thursday, September 19th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Academy Sports + Outdoors, 6375 E. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75231
• Friday, September 20th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Plano Event Center | Spring Glade Room (east side of building), 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074
• Saturday, September 21st, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Plano Event Center | Spring Glade Room (east side of building), 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074

 

For answers to more FAQ’s visit www.pbfraces.org!

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.

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FREE HALF MARATHON TRAINING WITH CRAIG RANCH RUNNING CLUB

Sunday, June 30 the Craig Ranch Running Club invites runners to come out at 6:15 a.m. to the 2019 Kick-Off of a free 12 week half marathon training program. This is open to the public and a great way to get ready for the Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon and meet the pace team.

 

The training schedule indicates the meet-up locations that include Craig Ranch Fitness in McKinney on Sunday, Monday and Thursday, and Lawler Middle School in Frisco on Wednesday.

 

The Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon is Sunday, September 22, 2019 and all runners receive a shirt, custom finisher medal, parking pass, and tickets to the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival that is proudly celebrating 40 Years of Ballooning!

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CELEBRATE GLOBAL RUNNING DAY THROUGH JUNE 30

Global Running Day is celebrated in more than 150 countries around the world and encourages everyone to get moving on the designated day of June 5, 2019. This year the Plano Balloon Festival Races want to extend that celebration for the entire month by offering a 15% discount on all distances. That includes the Half Marathon, Sky High Challenge, Elevate Challenge, 10K, 5K and 1K races. Use the code CELEBRATE before midnight on June 30th to receive the special pricing.

 

“It doesn’t matter how fast you run or how far you go—what’s important is that you take part, and how you do it is up to you. Run a lap around your block, take your dog for a long walk, or call your friends for a pick-up game in the park. The important thing is that you have fun being active—and you inspire others to join you.” – Global Running Day

 

 

The Plano Balloon Festival Races are schedule for Saturday, September 21, 2019 and Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival.

 

All participants in each distance will receive dazzling commemorative finisher medals featuring 9 hot air balloons! Plus all participants receive a gender specific, short sleeve, dry fit style race shirt, two tickets to the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival plus parking on race day.

 

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.

 

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LOVE IS SOARING WITH SAVINGS FOR PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RACES

Love is soaring with savings for the Plano Balloon Festival Races and there’s much to love about early registration fees.  The Sky High Challenge will have your heart racing when you complete the 5k on Saturday, September 21 and the Half Marathon on Sunday, September 22. Or get that heartbeat fluttering with the Elevate Challenge when you complete the 5K and 10K distances.

 

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CRAIG RANCH RUNNING CLUB LEADS HALF MARATHON PACE TEAM

The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival & Races include more than 3,000 volunteers that serve in various roles taking tickets, driving shuttles, crewing for pilots, and more.  For the fourth year in a row the Craig Ranch Running Club has stepped up to go the distance in a capacity that includes 13.1 miles. This trained group of runners, led by Captain Rick Johnson, will provide on-site support as the Pace Team for the Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon participants.

 

If you’ve never run a half marathon then you probably don’t understand why other runners would need volunteers to actually run alongside you. However, there are thousands who started with a 1k and eventually find themselves at the starting line of a half marathon. They likely trained with a group and will be prepared for the challenge. But, maybe they have a personal goal in mind.  Continue reading “CRAIG RANCH RUNNING CLUB LEADS HALF MARATHON PACE TEAM”

INTOUCH CREDIT UNION PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL WINS BEST OF PLANO MAGAZINE 2018

InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival was named the Best Event/Festival in the Past Year in Plano by Plano Magazine for 2018. The magazine collected 97,697 votes to get the Best of Plano Magazine 2018 winners in several categories. Plano Magazine staff and contributors nominate events, business and services for the Best Of Awards, which are then voted on by people in the community. See the complete list of winners here. Voters also chose InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival as in the Best Event/Festival in Plano in 2017 after 239,570 votes were cast.

 

The airborne balloons and fireworks make InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival the most visible event in town, and one of the most exciting. But the hot air balloons aren’t the only draw. On September 21-23, 2018, festival weekend also includes the Kids Korner in the Central Market Kids Fun Zone, RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team Exhibition, live entertainment on two stages, fireworks show, delicious festival food, and the Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and 1K. Registration for all races is available online only. The festival opens at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 21. Find the full schedule of events here.

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LABOR DAY SAVINGS FOR PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RACES

General runner registration for the Plano Balloon Festival Races officially ended on August 31, 2018 but this is the last discount offer and it is available this weekend only.  Runners can save $5.00 on the Half Marathon, 10K, Sky High Challenge, Elevate Challenge, 5K, and 1K distances with code PBFLABORDAY starting September 1 thru September 3, 2018.

 

Commemorative finisher medals have been designed for each race and they feature eight colorful hot air balloons to mark the annual race held at the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival at Oak Point Park.  New this year, runners can also choose to have their finisher medals personalized on-site by “Engrave My Medal.” 

 

 

The Plano Balloon Festival Races continues to welcome thousands of runners to the starting line and therefore all registration must be done online in advance.  Registration is not available in-person at packet pick-up or on-site prior to the races. All runners must register online: www.pbfraces.org  Groups of 10 or more adults are eligible for a discount and should contact info@oylmarketing.com for registration information.

 

PLANO RUNNING CLUB TO DISTRIBUTE RUNNER RACE PACKETS

Have you registered for one of the Plano Balloon Festival Races? If not, you’ll want to sign-up soon before your spot is gone. If you have registered and live in the metroplex, you can pick-up race packets from the Plano Running Club at the Plano Event Center at 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. They will be in the Spring Glade room on the east side of the building at these times:

Thursday, Sept 20 – 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Friday, Sept 21 – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday, Sept 22 – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

“We try to participate in as many local events as possible,” says Plano Running Club member Shirley Barbaro. “Plano Balloon Festival is the biggest and most well-known event taking place in Plano each year. I cannot think of a better opportunity to serve our community than volunteering in some way.”

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