Experience the Spirit of McKinney: Inaugural Historic Half Marathon Set to celebrate local community
McKinney, Texas -- As runners across North Texas make their final preparations for the inaugural McKinney Historic Half Presented by BMW, the excitement building around race day reflects something bigger than miles and finish times. On Saturday, March 28, McKinney will welcome thousands of runners, families and spectators for a community celebration that blends the energy of a major race with the character of one of North Texas’ most vibrant cities.
From the starting line to the final stretch, the event promises an experience designed to showcase McKinney’s unique identity while delivering the polished race atmosphere runners have come to expect from the team behind the BMW Dallas Marathon.
“The McKinney Historic Half is about creating an experience that feels both exciting and welcoming,” said Jason Schuchard, President of the Dallas White Rock Marathon. “We want runners to feel the energy of a major race while also experiencing the personality of the community around them. McKinney has incredible momentum, and this event is designed to bring people together in a way that highlights that spirit.”
Race day will begin in the heart of the city before guiding runners through a course designed to reflect McKinney’s story, past, present and future. Participants will pass landmarks including the historic Downtown Square, scenic parks and the revitalized Mill District, offering a route that blends timeless character with the city’s continued growth.
Local running leaders who helped shape the course say the route captures what makes McKinney special, giving participants a chance to experience the city’s evolution mile by mile while connecting with the neighborhoods and spaces that define the community.
Along the way, runners will be supported by a network of cheer zones, water stations and community activations designed to keep energy high from the first mile to the final stretch. Many of those stations will be powered by volunteers and supporters from across the community, including individuals connected to Scottish Rite for Children, the official charitable beneficiary of the McKinney Historic Half. Throughout the course, volunteers, families and supporters will help deliver water, encouragement and celebration to runners while also highlighting the mission that connects the event to the broader North Texas community.
“We’re so appreciative to be the beneficiary of the McKinney Historic Half,” said Jeremy Howell, Vice President of North Campus for Scottish Rite for Children. “The support of the community coming out to run and raise funds for our patients is monumental, and we can’t wait to cheer on our friends on race day.”
Additional cheer stations hosted by community partners, including the McKinney Lions Club, Visit McKinney, the Allen Americans, Texas Legends and several downtown businesses, will add even more energy along the route, creating an atmosphere that celebrates both the runners and the community rallying behind them.
After crossing the finish line, runners will step directly into a lively post-race celebration at TUPPS Brewery, where both the 5K and half marathon conclude. Participants can enjoy live music from REANIMATE1988, a specially curated menu and the official race-day beer, “Red Brick Brew,” crafted in partnership with TUPPS Brewery, the perfect way to toast a well-earned finish.
Families can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the morning, from interactive games and kid-friendly attractions to opportunities to connect with community partners and local businesses. Highlighting the fun for young runners, the day will feature the Kids’ 100-meter dash, giving them their own chance to take the starting line and reinforcing the race’s commitment to welcoming participants of all ages and abilities.
“The goal is for people to cross the finish line and feel like they’re part of something bigger than just the race,” Schuchard said. “Whether you’re running, volunteering or cheering from the sidelines, the McKinney Historic Half is meant to be a shared experience that celebrates the community.”
On March 28, McKinney will invite runners, families and spectators to be part of a defining moment for the city, one that celebrates movement, connection and the shared energy of a community coming together for years to come.
Registration for the McKinney Historic Half Marathon, 5K and kids’ dash is open now through March 26.
For members of the media interested in learning more about the inaugural half marathon or coordinating an interview, please contact Sarah Wicks via email at sarah.wicks@hck2.com or by phone at (580) 483.1752.
About the McKinney Historic Half
The McKinney Historic Half Presented by BMW is a premier spring running event launching March 28, 2026, in McKinney, Texas. Organized by the team behind the BMW Dallas Marathon, the race features a half marathon, 5K and kids’ dash welcoming participants of all ages and abilities. The event showcases McKinney’s historic downtown, vibrant park system and family-friendly neighborhoods while offering a polished, professional race experience. Proceeds benefit Scottish Rite for Children, reinforcing the event’s mission to promote health, fitness and community impact. For more information, visit www.mckinneyhalf.com.
About The Dallas White Rock Marathon
The Dallas White Rock Marathon (DWRM) is a nonprofit organization with a focus on promoting health and physical fitness through running events and related activities. The organization is composed of 15 volunteer board members and a full-time staff with various backgrounds and running experiences that help carry out the mission of the DWRM as well as support the growth and impact of the DWRM portfolio of events in the Dallas-Fort Worth community. Dating back to 1971, the organization hosts year-round events culminating with Dallas’ largest and Texas’ longest running marathon: the BMW Dallas Marathon. Now in its 55th running, the marquee event, with 12 running and walking events for all ages, will attract runners from across the globe and hundreds of thousands of spectators to Dallas’ largest single-day sporting event. The BMW Dallas Marathon course highlights iconic Dallas landmarks and is recognized as the official marathon of the City of Dallas. Since naming a primary beneficiary in 1997, DWRM has donated nearly $5 million to Scottish Rite for Children. For more information, visit www.dallasmarathon.com.
About Scottish Rite for Children
Scottish Rite for Children has been dedicated to giving children back their childhood for more than a century. The institution is a world-renowned leader in the treatment of pediatric orthopedic conditions, such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hand differences, hip disorders, limb lengthening and reconstruction, sports injuries and fractures, as well as certain related arthritic and neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. The organization conducts innovative research and provides high-level education opportunities for medical professionals around the world. Scottish Rite operates two campuses, including a hospital in Dallas, Texas, and an ambulatory surgery center in Frisco, Texas, and is known for being a bright, child-friendly place that does not look or feel like a health care institution. Patients receive treatment regardless of their family’s ability to pay. For more information about services available at the Dallas or Frisco campuses, volunteering or donating, visit scottishriteforchildren.org.
