Good Space Dash for the Beads

Race Overview

Dash for the Beads is an annual 5K run along with a 1mile walk that coincides with Mardi Gras so come out and Laissez les bons temps rouler! (To any Mardi Gras rookies that is Cajun for “Let the good times roll”). Dash for the Beads is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that donates its proceeds to local area schools to help promote healthy eating and physical activity for our grade school children.

All Dash for the Beads activities provide funds for Dallas-area schools and non-profits to promote physical fitness, healthy eating and arts programming.

Mission Accomplishments

• Raising funds: Annually for Oak Cliff schools and non-profits that serve children through The Dash for the Beads 5K and fun run race event, as well as, Last Bag Standing and Friends of the Dash.
• Grant proposals: Requesting grant proposals annually from Oak Cliff schools and non-profits that offer physical fitness, healthy eating, and arts programming for children.
• Grant review: Carefully reviewing and scoring grant applications to ensure Dash for the Beads is a good steward of raised funds to be distributed.
• Awarding funds: Awarding grant funds to Oak Cliff schools and non-profits based upon the Grant Review Process.

Follow-up and Reporting

• Follow-up: Diligently following up with Awardees to ensure grant funds are spent as requested and all necessary grant reporting is completed and in order.
• Free entries: Over $27,000 in FREE entries given to approx. 675 DISD school kids (over the past 3 years).
• Donations: $325,000 (since 2014).
• Organizations supported: Donations have been awarded to 34 different organizations (since 2014).

Registration Information

Please sign up ahead of time if you love fun festive t-shirts! T-shirts will be guaranteed to participants registered by January 15, 2026!

Early Packet Pickup

Date, Time and Place currently To Be Determined

Race Day Schedule

EVENT Details for Sunday, February 15, 2026:

• 9:00am: Registration, packet pickup, bars open, etc.
• 10:00am: DJ starts.
• 10:30am: Fun Run/1 mile.
• 11:00am: Dash for the Beads 5k.
• 12:45pm: Awards announced.
• 1:00pm: Oak Cliff Mardi Gras Parade | DJ ends.

Awards

1st, 2nd, 3rd for both male and female in these categories:

• Overall: Awards for top performance.
• Ages: 12 and under.
• Ages: 13-29.
• Ages: 30-39.
• Ages: 40-49.
• Ages: 50-59.
• Ages: 60+

More Information

For more details about the race, visit the Dash for the Beads website.