EVENT DISCONTINUED. From race website: “After thoughtful consideration, we have decided to discontinue the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon. A decision like this is never easy, and we understand the disappointment this may cause for our participants. We would like to thank the local community for their support and …
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EVENT DISCONTINUED. From race website: “After thoughtful consideration, we have decided to discontinue the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon. A decision like this is never easy, and we understand the disappointment this may cause for our participants. We would like to thank the local community for their support and are grateful to the City of Dallas and its citizens for hosting us over the years. Our participants have made these great events and we hope to welcome you across another finish line at other Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events in the future.”
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Through the years, Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas has become known for its spirited course featuring the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the Finish Line Festival at Reunion Lawn with beautiful skyline views of the city.
When you line up at the starting line you’ll head out through downtown. Deep Ellum, known for unique community displays of art and creativity is next, then make your way over the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. The Bishop Arts District comes before the Houston Street Bridge where you’ll get to take a gander at the Dallas skyline as you cross over it. You’ll finish strong at our finish line venue – The Lawn at Reunion!
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RNR Races are going Downhill
Weather was cold - Lots of Bridges, Hills and Exit and Entrance Ramps. Used to love running RNR Races but the communication is lacking and makes it challenging to make … MORE
Weather was cold – Lots of Bridges, Hills and Exit and Entrance Ramps. Used to love running RNR Races but the communication is lacking and makes it challenging to make travel arrangements.
Dont underestimate the Hill
Rock 'n' Roll series know how to make a race memorable with the Dallas Cowboy's Cheerleaders cheering me to the finish line. Several complaints that I had was that with … MORE
Rock ‘n’ Roll series know how to make a race memorable with the Dallas Cowboy’s Cheerleaders cheering me to the finish line. Several complaints that I had was that with the price of this race I would have liked to have a bigger Expo and more water stops.
Tough Course, Well Worth the Effort
I'm a big fan of the Rock 'n' Roll Series, as their organization, communication, and attention to detail are generally top-notch. Dallas does not seem to be one of the … MORE
I’m a big fan of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series, as their organization, communication, and attention to detail are generally top-notch. Dallas does not seem to be one of the premier RnR events on the scale of Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans, or San Diego, but all the amenities are still there. The expo was smaller than usual, but still had a lot of new RnR merchandise for sale.
The course has a couple of major hills, which combined with a humid day, made for a rough race. The highlight for me was getting to run through Dealey Plaza which, for you non-history buffs, is the site of the JFK assassination. It was interesting to get a runner’s perspective of this historic site.
My only “complaint” is that there could have been a few more water stations on the course . . . seemed a bit sparse.
Fun
RNR puts on a good race - Challenge with getting information on accommodations!! Overall good race! Did the Half the following day! We did it for Texas State on our … MORE
RNR puts on a good race – Challenge with getting information on accommodations!! Overall good race! Did the Half the following day! We did it for Texas State on our Journey to 50 States!
It's a 5k
The 5k course was not spectacular. It was at the Texas Fair but you ran pretty much in the parking lot. What would have made it more spectacular was to … MORE
The 5k course was not spectacular. It was at the Texas Fair but you ran pretty much in the parking lot. What would have made it more spectacular was to get to run inside the Cotton Bowl.
Fun, but I expect more
This is the second year I've done the Rock n Roll 5k and if not for the early bird pricing I probably wouldn't do it, because it is pricey for … MORE
This is the second year I’ve done the Rock n Roll 5k and if not for the early bird pricing I probably wouldn’t do it, because it is pricey for a 5k if you don’t get in early. The 5k always seems to be an afterthought compared to the half marathon.
Expo: Compared to some other large races, the expo is terrible. Only a handful of vendors and a number of them aren’t running related. It’s also a shame they can’t find a spot for packet pick up that’s not downtown. Paying for parking is fine, IF the expo was worth it, but in this case it’s not.
Race: The course is very flat and mostly run along a route that’s not public roads, so you do have to watch your step as you transition from road to sidewalk along the way, but it’s overall a very easy course. There is one water station and that seems appropriate for the length. There’s not a lot of music along the way, but the band at Mile 2 was engaging the runners as they went by. Parking is free and it’s not a long walk so that’s a plus.
Swag: The medal is one of the best you’ll ever get for a 5k. It’s heavy and well made.
Post race: They do have a band playing, but most people are grabbing their medal and heading out. They really don’t stick around as there’s not much to do after the race.
Volunteers: They do a great job from start to finish. Always helpful and very encouraging along the way.
Great race, but ridiculously hot!
This was my first RnR race, which set the tone for future races. The expo was great with lots of swag, ran the 5K and the Half, the hype is … MORE
This was my first RnR race, which set the tone for future races. The expo was great with lots of swag, ran the 5K and the Half, the hype is real. The heat was surprising and slowed me down a bit, especially when we ran on the bridge, quite the incline! The energy was contagious and the crowd at the end was awesome!
Interesting run
We ran through the Art Deco worlds fair remnants that aren’t used anymore. It is very beatiful and really a shame that there isn’t anything that these building could be … MORE
We ran through the Art Deco worlds fair remnants that aren’t used anymore. It is very beatiful and really a shame that there isn’t anything that these building could be used for, but it was nice running through them.
Enjoyed Dallas
It was something running the some route that JFK took. The weather was nice and the post race was really good. We ran through several Dales neighborhoods that were very … MORE
It was something running the some route that JFK took. The weather was nice and the post race was really good. We ran through several Dales neighborhoods that were very hospitable and nice to look at.
Great Event, Hilly Course, Hot Day
Overall this is a well organized race. I think with the heat spiking on that day it would have been nice to have another water station or 2 however i … MORE
Overall this is a well organized race. I think with the heat spiking on that day it would have been nice to have another water station or 2 however i am sure last minute additions like this could potentially be very difficult.
13.1 Rocking Miles
I am a repeat runner of this event. I registered a year ago to get the lowest price. Received lots of emails about run details so i always knew what … MORE
I am a repeat runner of this event.
I registered a year ago to get the lowest price.
Received lots of emails about run details so i always knew what was up.
Packet pickup was at the Expo downtown Dallas. I went on Friday when it opened at noon. A lot of people complained about having to pay $10 for parking, I parked at a meter an put in $1 for an hour time which was more than enough time to get my packet and walk the expo.
So packet pickup was super easy and organized. The expo was kind of smaller than past years and other expos i have attended. I was only there about twenty minutes. In your packet is a shirt, your bib, and some flyers.
Raceday – lots of parking downtown but be ready to pay $10 to $20 to park depending on the location. I used parking panda and reserved a spot a block away from the start for $16. it was about half a mile from the finish.
Race morning – I got there early and sat in the car for almost an hour then walked over to the event. The time I got there the port o johns were not an issue, only about ten people deep in line but by the time i finished that function the lines had doubled if not tripled. So getting there early was a good thing. They have a corral start for this event and in previous years I thought they monitored the corrals but this year what was on your bib did not really matter. I was in corrall 1 but saw all kinds of corral numbers on bibs there with me even 8’s and 12’s. One runner was confronted by security and told to leave the corral but he just went out and came back in when she was gone, no biggie really but I believe corrals are there for a reason, safety. Anyhow so lots of music playing before the start. I did not see any water available at the start line. So the race starts and were off for 13.1 miles of Dallas. The course was pretty flat on the first half but the second half seemed to have some nice challenging hills that zapped a lot of runners. You run through Downtown Dallas and other notable areas of Dallas so at least there was a little to see other than houses. They did have several bands on the course but I really think they had more at the previous run I attended. Water stops were an issue, more for the later corrals but still an issue. They could of used two more stops on the course as it was a warmer day than expected. Most every stop had water and sports drink. At one stop they handed out energy chews. There were also several medic tents along the route as well as medics on bikes. Crowd support was pretty good, not the best but no where near the worst. The finish line festival was okay but I guess I expected more. You get your finisher medal, a bottle of water, sports drink, chocolate milk, a banana, and a granola bar. They had a band playing in a big park but I didnt stay to listen. I finished my run, collected my challenge medal for running saturday and sunday, collected my stuff and made my way back to the car. Over all it is a decent run and when you register a year in advance it is cheap. I have run it twice and am not sure if I will run again next year. I would like to try some of the other RnR events.
There's Quite The Hill At Mile 8
This race had a few scenic spots, but most rough roads. Then when you get to Mile 8, there is a huge hill to climb. Corrals were not policed well … MORE
This race had a few scenic spots, but most rough roads. Then when you get to Mile 8, there is a huge hill to climb. Corrals were not policed well at all. Well organized in typical RnR fashion. Warm race date this year. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders at the end.
Rock and Roll 5K Fair Park Dallas
This was my first time to run the Rock and Roll 5K in Dallas. I have run the half marathon a previous year. Packet pickup was at the Expo in … MORE
This was my first time to run the Rock and Roll 5K in Dallas.
I have run the half marathon a previous year.
Packet pickup was at the Expo in downtown Dallas but for this 5K they also offered race morning pickup at the event.
Parking was great, lots of parking.
Pre event was okay, lots of music and just runners hanging out doing pre race stuff.
The start line was in Fair Park (where they have the state fair), they kinda had corrals and while your bibs were marked for what corral it really was an honor system as you told them your predicted finish time and even then most got in whatever corral they wanted to as no one was there to check bibs. But it was a small race really so I dont think they needed the corral system other than to prevent holding up faster runners or walkers getting run over.
The course itself was very flat and fast. You start in Fair Park then run through the parking area and back into Fair Park to finish. You get to see the old buildings so that is cool.
Post race you got a medal (nice bonus for a 5k), a water, banana, and a granola bar. I kind of expected a bit more from Rock and Roll but it was good. Plus they have those items at the finish so the runners get them and not the spectators. They did have a band playing at the finish but not many were standing there watching. They also had one free beer if you do that activity.
So it was an okay run and I would do it again just to get the two race challenge medal for running the 5K and half the same weekend. they have marathon photo taking pictures but of course you have to buy them.
If I was just looking for a 5K to run I might look for something more local and cost friendly (race day registration was $75, i did early and got it for $30).
Cool windy morning with 2 large hills
Don't let a long flat bridge scare you even if it's into the wind . Lots of runners in the wrong corral pens, Need better supervised pen entranceds, overall a … MORE
Don’t let a long flat bridge scare you even if it’s into the wind . Lots of runners in the wrong corral pens, Need better supervised pen entranceds, overall a very well organized event and course was harder than previous ones
Great music , beautiful day!
Great music, very scenic route of Dallas! A tough up hill into the neighborhood of Oakcliff. A very tight last mile of the race but all down hill. MORE
Great music, very scenic route of Dallas! A tough up hill into the neighborhood of Oakcliff. A very tight last mile of the race but all down hill.
My 1st Rock and Roll
I ran this because I recieved a free voucher from DRnR offered to people who had signed up for Cowtown but could not run due to races being cancelled by … MORE
I ran this because I recieved a free voucher from DRnR offered to people who had signed up for Cowtown but could not run due to races being cancelled by a big ice storm. So glad I did. Ran a PR the course has some hills but is laid out well and gives you lots of cool parts of the city to run in. There seemed to be lots of crowds on the course cheering. The shirts and medals were great. The expo was kind of small compared to other races. Good race would run it again. Well managed the corrals go fast for being a big race.
New course more hills
Typical Rock and Roll marathon event. I enjoyed the new course. More folks in Daley Plaza than previous years, since the folks had time to move from the start area … MORE
Typical Rock and Roll marathon event. I enjoyed the new course. More folks in Daley Plaza than previous years, since the folks had time to move from the start area to the plaza. Hills at mile 10 and 12 are brutal for trying to set a PR. Downhill finish was great. Tight area for family reunion.