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Run with Shirley
Dallas, Texas
Ideal for motivated beginners chasing big race goals
About This Club
Run with Shirley is a Saturday training group at White Rock Lake in Dallas, led by Shirley Dornback, who came to running later in life herself. The focus is goal-oriented: building toward marathons, including BMW Dallas, with structured training rather than a casual weekly jog. It's built for people who want a plan and some coaching behind their training, not just company.
Highlights
- Led by late-start runner
- Empowerment focus
- Year-round marathon prep
- Structured training
- Injury prevention tips
- Goal setting support
Who It Suits
This suits beginners, marathon trainees, and walkers who want a structured, goal-driven program with coaching support, especially anyone building toward a specific race like BMW Dallas. It's not the right fit if you're a competitive racer looking to push pace, and there are no night runs on offer. It's also not set up for strollers or dogs.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
Sessions happen on the paved lake paths at White Rock Lake, and the distance you'll cover depends on where you are in the training cycle, ramping toward half or full marathon distance. Pace-wise, walkers and runners of all levels are part of the same group, so this isn't a single-pace pack run. Expect structure: goal setting, injury prevention guidance, and training built around a target race like the December BMW Dallas Marathon.
DistanceHalf Marathon, Full Marathon, Variable based on training cycle
PaceAll paces; walkers and runners welcome
TerrainPaved, Lake paths
Your First Run
Check the website for the current schedule before you go, since sessions shift with the training cycle, and reach out to Shirley directly for specifics on where to meet and what that week's session looks like. Plan to arrive early at White Rock Lake.
Because walkers are explicitly welcome and the group is built for beginners, you don't need to worry about being too slow or the only one taking walk breaks. This is a group used to people starting from different fitness levels, not a pack that takes off and leaves you behind.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Dallas
49 upcoming races in Dallas. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Aug 15, 2026Dallas Running Club Fall Training Program Dallas, TXFrom $40Details Sat, Sep 12, 2026Peticolas Running Club Social Run/Walk - SeptemBEER Dallas, TXFrom $35Details Sat, Sep 12, 2026Anadel Speaks Hope In Motion 5K Dallas, TXFrom $45Details
See all Dallas races
Common Questions About Run with Shirley
Do I have to join or pay to run with this group?
No membership is required, but training is organized as paid seasonal programs (for example, around $60), and personal coaching is also available if you want more individual attention.
I'm not a runner yet, just a walker. Is this still for me?
Yes. Walkers are explicitly welcome alongside runners, and the group is described as beginner-friendly.
Can I bring my dog or a stroller?
No, the group is not set up as dog-friendly or stroller-friendly.
What are we actually training for?
The group targets goal races like the BMW Dallas Marathon in December, with year-round training that includes programs such as a Feb-Apr strength training block.
What's the terrain like?
Runs are on paved paths around White Rock Lake.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated April 2026.