Bearathon, ‘the toughest half-marathon in Texas,’ returns to raise scholarship funds

Registration for the Bearathon is officially open, and you know what that means: time to start training! But before you hop on the treadmill, you should know a bit about why this half-marathon is such a big deal to Baylor, Texans and runners.

The Bearathon began in 2003 as Student Foundation’s primary scholarship fundraiser (replacing Bear Downs, a bicycle relay race which was dropped after three decades due to rising costs). In its first year, just over 100 runners participated; by 2015, that number had rocketed to 2,100 — raising $80,000 for student scholarships!

With the 13-mile course passing through the Baylor campus, downtown Waco, and the rigorous hills of Cameron Park, the Bearathon has certainly earned its nickname as “The Toughest Half in Texas.” And with Waco’s location in Central Texas, the Bearathon attracts runners from across the state, giving Baylor and its hometown more exposure and business.

But what’s most impressive about the Bearathon is not its intensity or its fundraising prowess, but the fact that it is organized entirely by Baylor students. It takes months of planning to promote the event, coordinate street closures with the city, collect registration fees and donations, distribute shirts and medals to runners, ensure the event is as environmentally friendly as possible, and much, much more.

Sic ’em, StuFu and Bearathon runners!