Ready, Get Set

On your mark for fab fall races and runs this September in Dallas-Fort Worth

Run one of Dallas' most beloved trails.

The Katy Trail/Facebook

A surefire way to know that summer in Texas is winding down? The 5Ks return. Now that it's not nearly as scorching as, say, July, you can take your workout outdoors — at least some of the time.

Here are but a few of the big races set for September:

Katy 5K, September 7
Run and have fun on a unique course that takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of Dallas, including Turtle Creek, Uptown, and Katy Trail. Post-race, celebrate at the Picnic Party with DJ Poizon Ivy, free Michelob Ultra (for those 21 and over), free food from more than 30 local eateries, sponsor swag, and selfie stations.

9/11 Heroes Run, September 16
Be a part of this race, which happens all over the country and is organized by the Travis Manion Foundation, to honor veterans, first responders, civilians, and military who jumped into action on 9/11. The Dallas race takes place in Arlington

Guts & Glory Zombie Experience, September 16
Zombies are taking over Rorie-Galloway Day Camp in Mesquite — do you have what it takes to escape and survive? Humans (runners) will run through the woods and compete in team-building challenges to test strength, speed, problem-solving, and teamwork. Collect survival essentials along the way to ensure your team's safe passage to the finish. If you choose to be a Zombie, come dressed in your appropriately gory best and try to grab the runner's flags as they zoom by.

Fort Worth Oktoberfest Run und Ride, September 21-23
Within this three-day celebration of German culture, you'll not only find competitions like stein-hoisting and bier barrel-rolling but also 5K and 10K runs along the Trinity Trail and 20-mile urban bike ride. All race and run participants receive a free three-day pass to the fest, and dressing in lederhosen is recommended!

The Garland Guzzler, September 23
The "physically demanding" and "mentally strenuous" race known as the Garland Guzzler 0.5K is coming back for its sixth year. Race to the Granville Arts Center parking lot from 6-10 pm and cheer on the “athletes” as they run the 0.5K route (546 yards or 1,638 feet, to be exact), enjoy the after-race Oktoberfest festivities, food, beverages from Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery, live music from The Dogensteins, and much more.

Oaktoberfest, September 24
Oak Cliff's take on the traditional German celebration includes a 1.128-mile fun run around Tyler Station, with beer samples for each lap completed. Stay for more beer, brats, and live polka music.

Rock of Ages Run, September 30
Get ready to rock your way through a 5K, 10K, or half marathon in Forth Worth, where rock music will be blaring throughout the course and everyone can enjoy the race's famous pancakes at the post party.

health fitness promoted

income analysis

This is the family income needed for one parent to stay home in Texas

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

With costs to raise a child soaring over $20,000 a year in Texas, some households might decide to have one parent work while the other stays at home to raise their child.

The cost of raising a child has ballooned in major metros like Dallas-Fort Worth, forcing many families to weight the choice between paying for child care or having one parent stay home full-time.

A recent analysis from SmartAsset determined the minimum income one parent needs to earn to support their partner staying at home to raise one child in all 50 states. In Texas, that amount is just under $75,000.

The study used the MIT Living Wage Calculator to compare the annual living wages needed for a household with two working adults and one child, and a household with one working adult, a stay-at-home parent, and one child. The study also calculated how much it would cost to raise a child with two working parents based on factors such as "food, housing, childcare, healthcare, transportation, incremental income taxes and other necessities."

A Texas household with one working parent would need to earn $74,734 a year to support their stay-at-home partner and their child, the report found. If both parents worked in the household, it would require an additional $10,504 in annual income to raise their child.

SmartAsset said the cost to raise a child in Texas in a two-working-parent household adds up to $23,587. Raising a child in North Texas, however, is slightly more affordable. A separate SmartAsset study from June 2025 determined it costs $22,337 to raise a child in Dallas-Fort Worth.

In the report's ranking of states with the highest minimum income needed to support a family with one working adult, a stay-at-home parent, and one child, Texas ranked 32nd on the list.

In other states like Massachusetts where raising a child can cost more than $40,000 a year, the report's author says families will look for ways to reduce any financial burdens.

"This often includes considerations around who’s going to work in the household, and whether young children will require paid daycare services while parents are occupied," the report said. "With tradeoffs abound, many parents might seek to understand the minimum income needed to keep the family afloat while allowing the other parent to stay home to raise a young child."

The top 10 states with the lowest minimum income threshold to support a three-person family on one income are:

West Virginia – $68,099
Arkansas – $68,141
Mississippi – $70,242
Kentucky – $70,408
North Dakota – $70,949
Oklahoma – $71,718
Ohio – $72,114
South Dakota – $72,218
Alabama – $72,238
Nebraska – $72,966

texas income smartasset family

Ready, Get Set

On your mark for fab fall races and runs this September in Dallas-Fort Worth

income analysis

This is the family income needed for one parent to stay home in Texas

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