BOTTOM LINE: If it’s possible for a big-city race with 25,000+ participants to be “underrated,” then I reckon Dallas fits the bill. Running in the shadow of more prestigious urban … MORE
BOTTOM LINE: If it’s possible for a big-city race with 25,000+ participants to be “underrated,” then I reckon Dallas fits the bill. Running in the shadow of more prestigious urban marathons like Chicago, New York City and even (arguably) Houston, Big D more than holds its own and deservedly stakes its claim to the title of best race weekend in Texas.
Though I was born and now live in California, Dallas is the city where I grew up. And yet despite a 20-year running career, I’d never run a marathon or farther here. So when 2020 rolled around, it seemed like ideal timing to tackle the 50th running of my former hometown race less than a month after my own 50th birthday. Cue a global pandemic, and like nearly every other running event on the planet, the golden anniversary of the Dallas Marathon Festival was postponed—first to May 2021, and then to its usual date one year later in Dec 2021. Despite all the uncertainty and shifting expectations over the course of an excruciating year, in the end the celebration was very much worth the wait. Without (too much) bias, I can happily say the Dallas Marathon Festival was an electric day that did not disappoint.
Dallas is a terrific running city, and the marathon/50K course—which starts and finishes at City Hall—does the city justice by showcasing some of its most iconic landmarks and beautiful neighborhoods including Reunion Tower, Highland Park and Lakewood, plus 8½ miles around the event’s long-time centerpiece, White Rock Lake. Here on the far (eastern) side of the lake, several geese sightings and a glimpse of the distinctive Dallas skyline peeking above the trees helped to distract from the mounting fatigue in mile 18.
Notably, the first mile of the race passes discreetly through Dealey Plaza, site of JFK’s assassination and where the former Texas School Book Depository—now the Dallas County Administration Building—overlooks the course (see photo). Though the race organizers avoid publicizing Dealey Plaza for obvious reasons, its inclusion feels like a respectful nod to its historical significance and widespread interest.
Later in the race, I wasn’t looking forward to the out-and-back extension on the Santa Fe Trail (miles 20–25) that was exclusive to the 50K runners. And yet even that stretch was a relatively pleasant experience, a quiet reprieve from the otherwise bustling streets and an opportunity to applaud my fellow ultrarunners while acknowledging each other as kindred spirits. (Our orange bib numbers also helped to distinguish 50K runners from the blue-numbered marathoners and black-numbered half marathoners.)
Though the course—with the exception of the lakefront path—is more rolling than flat, the most conspicuous uphill arrives as the route turns away from White Rock Lake and back toward downtown (mile 21 for marathoners, 26 for 50K runners). Essentially the Dallas equivalent of Heartbreak Hill, this ½ mile stretch encompassing the latter portion of Winsted Dr plus Tokalon Dr served as a nice gut check that slowed many runners to a walk. (Here I see an opportunity for an inflatable sponsor arch at the top of Tokalon to encourage runners as they crest the hill.) Once you turn left from Tokalon onto Lakewood Blvd, though, breathe deep and feel good knowing your last five miles are a smooth, gentle downhill to an epic finish that’s publicly broadcast on the jumbotron.
Apart from obvious exceptions like Boston and NYC, as a traveling runner you’re never sure what level of spectator support to expect from residents during an urban marathon. So I’m proud to report that Dallas came to play; all along the course with the understandable exception of the lake itself, civic pride and festive holiday energy were on display as vocal locals showed up to support the runners. Among the spectators lining the residential route on Richmond Ave was a 20-foot-tall inflatable Santa that towered above us like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from “Ghostbusters”—HO, HO, HO, MY TINY SUBJECTS.
Performance-wise, Dallas was one of those rare days when everything fell into place. And I couldn’t have asked for a better end to a challenging year that included four new states and a 100K personal best. After missing the five-hour mark by 68 seconds on an unpaved trail in Kansas last year, paved Texas roads seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally break five hours at the 50K distance. And at the end of a chilly morning under stunning blue skies, I crossed the finish line alongside City Hall with a 16-minute personal best while achieving not only my stated goal as printed on my bib number (a sub-5 hour 50K), but likewise my unspoken “A” goal of a sub-4:45 as I finished in 4:44:41. Calculating before the race that I’d need to average a 9:04/mile pace to break 4:45, I’d run 31.4 miles (according to my GPS) in… 9:04/mile. [Cue Success Kid fist-pump meme.]
With Dallas (mid-December) and The Cowtown in neighboring Fort Worth (late February), North Texas boasts two of the best race weekends in the U.S. in close proximity. Throw in Houston in mid-January, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better three months of road racing anywhere in the nation than what you’ll find in Texas. Personal best and formative years aside, the Dallas Marathon Festival is a Big D-elight and a family-friendly Sunday long run I can easily recommend to first-timers, traveling runners & 50 Staters alike.
PRODUCTION: As you may have guessed from the above description, this was clearly not the Dallas team’s first rodeo. Reminiscent of Houston (I’ve yet to run The Cowtown so I have no comparison there), Dallas is a well-oiled machine with near-flawless production. Even with high expectations thanks to positive feedback from previous finishers, still I was pleasantly surprised. Everything ran smoothly, from the pre-race expo in the spacious convention center near the start line (which included an impressive fleet of vehicles from title sponsor BMW), to the high-energy start corrals with jumbotron accompaniment, to the scenic & well-supported course populated by spirited spectators & virtuoso volunteers, to the post-race festival in Akard Plaza where pizza, chocolate milk & Sam Adams beer (not necessarily all at once) awaited. Around the plaza, exhausted finishers stretched out on the grass and around the fountain to quietly celebrate a triumphant end to the racing season. Well done Dallas, my Stetson is off to you. 🤠
SWAG: Dallas rose to the occasion with its 50th anniversary swag. The hefty finisher medal (see photo) is an attractive blue & gold(en) keepsake with the race logo engraved inside the number 50. Both the medal and its ribbon include the year & distance. In addition, runners received a comfy, ocean blue short-sleeve participant tee at packet pickup as well as a handsome distance-specific, navy blue long-sleeve finisher tee (a Dallas tradition) in the finish chute. Best of all, this isn’t swag per se but every registration fee included a donation to the primary race beneficiary, Scottish Rite for Children.
For a pictorial narrative of the 50th Dallas Marathon Festival, check out my report at https://blisterscrampsheaves.com/2022/01/12/dallas-marathon-race-report/
Fabulous at 50: Dallas is a Big D-elight
BOTTOM LINE: If it’s possible for a big-city race with 25,000+ participants to be “underrated,” then I reckon Dallas fits the bill. Running in the shadow of more prestigious urban … MORE
BOTTOM LINE: If it’s possible for a big-city race with 25,000+ participants to be “underrated,” then I reckon Dallas fits the bill. Running in the shadow of more prestigious urban marathons like Chicago, New York City and even (arguably) Houston, Big D more than holds its own and deservedly stakes its claim to the title of best race weekend in Texas.
Though I was born and now live in California, Dallas is the city where I grew up. And yet despite a 20-year running career, I’d never run a marathon or farther here. So when 2020 rolled around, it seemed like ideal timing to tackle the 50th running of my former hometown race less than a month after my own 50th birthday. Cue a global pandemic, and like nearly every other running event on the planet, the golden anniversary of the Dallas Marathon Festival was postponed—first to May 2021, and then to its usual date one year later in Dec 2021. Despite all the uncertainty and shifting expectations over the course of an excruciating year, in the end the celebration was very much worth the wait. Without (too much) bias, I can happily say the Dallas Marathon Festival was an electric day that did not disappoint.
Dallas is a terrific running city, and the marathon/50K course—which starts and finishes at City Hall—does the city justice by showcasing some of its most iconic landmarks and beautiful neighborhoods including Reunion Tower, Highland Park and Lakewood, plus 8½ miles around the event’s long-time centerpiece, White Rock Lake. Here on the far (eastern) side of the lake, several geese sightings and a glimpse of the distinctive Dallas skyline peeking above the trees helped to distract from the mounting fatigue in mile 18.
Notably, the first mile of the race passes discreetly through Dealey Plaza, site of JFK’s assassination and where the former Texas School Book Depository—now the Dallas County Administration Building—overlooks the course (see photo). Though the race organizers avoid publicizing Dealey Plaza for obvious reasons, its inclusion feels like a respectful nod to its historical significance and widespread interest.
Later in the race, I wasn’t looking forward to the out-and-back extension on the Santa Fe Trail (miles 20–25) that was exclusive to the 50K runners. And yet even that stretch was a relatively pleasant experience, a quiet reprieve from the otherwise bustling streets and an opportunity to applaud my fellow ultrarunners while acknowledging each other as kindred spirits. (Our orange bib numbers also helped to distinguish 50K runners from the blue-numbered marathoners and black-numbered half marathoners.)
Though the course—with the exception of the lakefront path—is more rolling than flat, the most conspicuous uphill arrives as the route turns away from White Rock Lake and back toward downtown (mile 21 for marathoners, 26 for 50K runners). Essentially the Dallas equivalent of Heartbreak Hill, this ½ mile stretch encompassing the latter portion of Winsted Dr plus Tokalon Dr served as a nice gut check that slowed many runners to a walk. (Here I see an opportunity for an inflatable sponsor arch at the top of Tokalon to encourage runners as they crest the hill.) Once you turn left from Tokalon onto Lakewood Blvd, though, breathe deep and feel good knowing your last five miles are a smooth, gentle downhill to an epic finish that’s publicly broadcast on the jumbotron.
Apart from obvious exceptions like Boston and NYC, as a traveling runner you’re never sure what level of spectator support to expect from residents during an urban marathon. So I’m proud to report that Dallas came to play; all along the course with the understandable exception of the lake itself, civic pride and festive holiday energy were on display as vocal locals showed up to support the runners. Among the spectators lining the residential route on Richmond Ave was a 20-foot-tall inflatable Santa that towered above us like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from “Ghostbusters”—HO, HO, HO, MY TINY SUBJECTS.
Performance-wise, Dallas was one of those rare days when everything fell into place. And I couldn’t have asked for a better end to a challenging year that included four new states and a 100K personal best. After missing the five-hour mark by 68 seconds on an unpaved trail in Kansas last year, paved Texas roads seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally break five hours at the 50K distance. And at the end of a chilly morning under stunning blue skies, I crossed the finish line alongside City Hall with a 16-minute personal best while achieving not only my stated goal as printed on my bib number (a sub-5 hour 50K), but likewise my unspoken “A” goal of a sub-4:45 as I finished in 4:44:41. Calculating before the race that I’d need to average a 9:04/mile pace to break 4:45, I’d run 31.4 miles (according to my GPS) in… 9:04/mile. [Cue Success Kid fist-pump meme.]
With Dallas (mid-December) and The Cowtown in neighboring Fort Worth (late February), North Texas boasts two of the best race weekends in the U.S. in close proximity. Throw in Houston in mid-January, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better three months of road racing anywhere in the nation than what you’ll find in Texas. Personal best and formative years aside, the Dallas Marathon Festival is a Big D-elight and a family-friendly Sunday long run I can easily recommend to first-timers, traveling runners & 50 Staters alike.
PRODUCTION: As you may have guessed from the above description, this was clearly not the Dallas team’s first rodeo. Reminiscent of Houston (I’ve yet to run The Cowtown so I have no comparison there), Dallas is a well-oiled machine with near-flawless production. Even with high expectations thanks to positive feedback from previous finishers, still I was pleasantly surprised. Everything ran smoothly, from the pre-race expo in the spacious convention center near the start line (which included an impressive fleet of vehicles from title sponsor BMW), to the high-energy start corrals with jumbotron accompaniment, to the scenic & well-supported course populated by spirited spectators & virtuoso volunteers, to the post-race festival in Akard Plaza where pizza, chocolate milk & Sam Adams beer (not necessarily all at once) awaited. Around the plaza, exhausted finishers stretched out on the grass and around the fountain to quietly celebrate a triumphant end to the racing season. Well done Dallas, my Stetson is off to you. 🤠
SWAG: Dallas rose to the occasion with its 50th anniversary swag. The hefty finisher medal (see photo) is an attractive blue & gold(en) keepsake with the race logo engraved inside the number 50. Both the medal and its ribbon include the year & distance. In addition, runners received a comfy, ocean blue short-sleeve participant tee at packet pickup as well as a handsome distance-specific, navy blue long-sleeve finisher tee (a Dallas tradition) in the finish chute. Best of all, this isn’t swag per se but every registration fee included a donation to the primary race beneficiary, Scottish Rite for Children.
For a pictorial narrative of the 50th Dallas Marathon Festival, check out my report at https://blisterscrampsheaves.com/2022/01/12/dallas-marathon-race-report/
great audience and weather
train well its avery challenging on every aspect , the audience very heart warm and supportive audience a race that i will never forget!!the expo aswell very organized the Nutrition … MORE
train well its avery challenging on every aspect , the audience very heart warm and supportive audience a race that i will never forget!!the expo aswell very organized the Nutrition along the course really really good and i wanna put more enfasis on this one the best hidration that i ever see in my life and shoul be the model to many other marathons
50th Anniversary was the best race yet!
Despite a couple rough hills, the route is beautiful. The crowd support is amazing. The starting line fanfare is very inspiring. The after party is fun, with plenty of food … MORE
Despite a couple rough hills, the route is beautiful. The crowd support is amazing. The starting line fanfare is very inspiring. The after party is fun, with plenty of food and beer. Overall a fantastic race. I really enjoyed it.
Fun Event to Participate
Overall well organized event, and I will do it again. Parking is a nightmare on the race day, and you are paying an arm and a leg for terrible parking … MORE
Overall well organized event, and I will do it again. Parking is a nightmare on the race day, and you are paying an arm and a leg for terrible parking lots. Organizers can charge a little extra in the registration fee for the parking and assign safe and closer areas to park. Route has some very rough surfaces to run on with a risk of ankle twists. A lot of twists and turns on the route and some long uphills. No finisher shirt either.
Much better than last time I ran in 2007
Well organized and my experience was very positive. Much more well organized and produced than last time I ran. After race pizza did leave a little to be desired. MORE
Well organized and my experience was very positive. Much more well organized and produced than last time I ran. After race pizza did leave a little to be desired.
Big D Proves It's One Of The Best
Package Pickup at 3p on the Saturday before, no line. That's a win! Arrived on-scene about an hour before the race.....I didn't spring for the VIP tent, while the warm … MORE
Package Pickup at 3p on the Saturday before, no line. That’s a win! Arrived on-scene about an hour before the race…..I didn’t spring for the VIP tent, while the warm waiting tent would have been nice, there was still a line at the port-a-potty’s. The corral lineup was smooth. I was in the last corral, so we lined up at 900a, the first corral had started the race at 830a…they slow-walked up to the start line, played a fantastic and inspirational video with a custom-made song….counted us down from 10….shot fireworks at the start…..EXHILERATING!…….you pass right by the grassy knoll, yes that one….cross under I-35…..up through the ritzy neighborhoods of Dallas…..a lot of the homeowners come to cheer you on…..lots of water well-manned water stations with volunteers quick on the trigger with water and Gatorade….a UCAN Superstarch station……then the finish!…you come into a corral with the crowd cheering you on…….a great finish and I’m glad the Dallas Half was my first in-person big race. A nice finisher long-sleeve shirt, a nice short sleeve t-shirt, lots of samples of all your favorite products…..they handed me a big water, plenty of Gatorade, pizza, breakfast tacos galore. Great music, great announcer…….just a great flawless experience. There could have been more port-a-potty’s on-course, that’d be my only complaint. Good job Dallas!
Solid Event!
I love this event and will participate again in the future. It is fun, well supported, and has solid swag. I wish that I had known the differences in the … MORE
I love this event and will participate again in the future. It is fun, well supported, and has solid swag.
I wish that I had known the differences in the men’s and women’s weekend festival jackets. The women’s is a pullover and kind of lame. The men’s looks a lot cooler. Also…it was super hard to find the station to pick up your weekend festival medal after the event. I was spent and hated walking around trying to find it. It would be better if it had been with all of the other swag in the runners’ area.
First, but not last, race in Dallas
I usually do most of my running during OCR’s. However, I recently started getting into road racing and have fallen in love with that as well. Having just moved to … MORE
I usually do most of my running during OCR’s. However, I recently started getting into road racing and have fallen in love with that as well. Having just moved to the Dallas area this summer, I thought there was no better way to check out the city than run the half marathon at the same time. Beautiful views, a fun course and lots of wonderful people made my first race experience unforgettable. Early on-set arthritis and chronic pain tried to slow me down but I managed to finish and I enjoyed every moment. I can’t wait to run the full marathon next year!
Wonderful for a first time 5k
Love that this 5k is entirely in downtown. As a Dallas resident, I think downtown makes for great scenery. According to my run tracker the course is pretty flat, only … MORE
Love that this 5k is entirely in downtown. As a Dallas resident, I think downtown makes for great scenery. According to my run tracker the course is pretty flat, only a 60 ft range in elevation.
There could have been more info booths or signs and maps. It was only about 15 minutes prior to race time when I finally found where to pick up my bib.
Awesome race
Be ready for rolling hills at mile 20. Great course support. Need more Porta potties, especially clean ones at the lake. Earlier start time. MORE
Be ready for rolling hills at mile 20. Great course support. Need more Porta potties, especially clean ones at the lake. Earlier start time.
Unforgettable experience for my 1 half/m
My first half marathon in a unique and unforgettable setting, perfectly organized. Beautiful track and not particularly difficult but extremely pleasant. A unique experience to try. MORE
My first half marathon in a unique and unforgettable setting, perfectly organized. Beautiful track and not particularly difficult but extremely pleasant. A unique experience to try.
FUN WEEKEND IN DALLAS
Great, fun weekend running the marathon. People out cheering and ran through some beautiful neighborhoods.. saw some ladies take some whiskey shots at mile 9 and they were doing the … MORE
Great, fun weekend running the marathon.
People out cheering and ran through some beautiful neighborhoods.. saw some ladies take some whiskey shots at mile 9 and they were doing the full marathon!
The hill was a surprise at mile 19 but we didn’t look at the course map/elevation before the race.
Wish there were a few more aid stations closer to the end of the race, but I’ll plan to run with a water bottle next time. Looking forward to next year!! Appreciate the fun pre and post race activities!
Great Race! Had a great time!
This was the best Half Marathon that I have ran so far. The preparation, the fitness expo, and race day was outstanding. I would definitely recommend to anyone that they … MORE
This was the best Half Marathon that I have ran so far. The preparation, the fitness expo, and race day was outstanding. I would definitely recommend to anyone that they run this race at least once.
Good run. Well put together
This is run at a nice time (December in Dallas) and is a good course through the streets of Dallas. There isn’t much to look at anywhere on the half … MORE
This is run at a nice time (December in Dallas) and is a good course through the streets of Dallas. There isn’t much to look at anywhere on the half marathon course although there is good support from fans all along the course.
Breath of fresh air amidst pandemic
You are bigger than your circumstances. Let's face the fears, pursue our dreams, and make our lives adventurous. Where there is a will, there is a way. If you think … MORE
You are bigger than your circumstances. Let’s face the fears, pursue our dreams, and make our lives adventurous. Where there is a will, there is a way. If you think you can, you can !!
Great Race and Fun Course
Overall the BMW marathon was a great race on a fun course! The course ran through heavily populated parts of Dallas which allowed for spectators and a fun crowd throughout … MORE
Overall the BMW marathon was a great race on a fun course! The course ran through heavily populated parts of Dallas which allowed for spectators and a fun crowd throughout the marathon. The only downside to this race were the couple of big hills around miles 20-21. Otherwise, the course was fairly flat with a fun start and finish line.
Great event!
Easy route, Great production Cold morning Official race photos are not free, they are expensive they should allow some for free or buy them individually, not in expensive packages MORE
Easy route,
Great production
Cold morning
Official race photos are not free, they are expensive they should allow some for free or buy them individually, not in expensive packages
My first and favorite since 2011 🏃♀️
Medals are always highlights /icons of Dallas 😊 Beneficiary is Scottish Rite Hospital for children running by the hospital is so great!! Always do the challenge for the jacket the … MORE
Medals are always highlights /icons of Dallas 😊
Beneficiary is Scottish Rite Hospital for children running by the hospital is so great!! Always do the challenge for the jacket the quality lasts for years. This was my first Half Marathon and 10 years later still my favorite. Definitely will continue running each year as long as my legs will carry me.
Overall a great experience!
Great aid stations and everyone was so friendly. The course was laid out so well and I really enjoyed all of the swag they gave out. The food at the … MORE
Great aid stations and everyone was so friendly. The course was laid out so well and I really enjoyed all of the swag they gave out. The food at the end was also amazing. Overall it was a great experience!
Super fun for a first-timer!
A friend talked me into joining his relay team, even though I'm not a runner. But I'm glad I did, because it was alot of fun! I ran the last … MORE
A friend talked me into joining his relay team, even though I’m not a runner. But I’m glad I did, because it was alot of fun! I ran the last leg of the race, and felt exhilarated along the entire way by all the people lining course to cheer us on. The signup and logistics on race day were a little complicated to figure out, but I think that’s just inherent in an event like this. I don’t think they could have done anything more to simplify things. Overall, it was as smooth as could be. I had a great time and look forward to doing it again next year!