Race Reviews

SS's review of 2023 race.   

Review

Nice crowds, good energy!

Race Tips

The weather was perfect. It was upper 30s at race start with light wind and low humidity. Ran in shorts, tank, half arm sleeves and gloves. Pants would have been too hot by the mid way point. Had a sweater in corral that I threw off before starting. The course is fairly rolling (even early) with an opportunity for somewhat flat miles around the lake. The hill off the lake is not that daunting if you have been running them in training. It only impacted my pace by about 10 seconds. I would recommend for this race keeping your goal pace for the first 10 miles and sticking to it. It's too easy to be 10/20 seconds quick as people storm out (your mixed with half marathoners and relay) which will hurt your splits on later hills.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I stayed at Omni and it was a 1 block walk to corral. Headed into Corral A around 8 am for the 830 start. Crossed the starting line 40 seconds or so after the gun start.

HP's review of 2021 race.   

Review

Did my first marathon (have done ~6 half's) in Dallas this year. Being a long-time Dallasite we know the weather is always a bit weird this time of year. The forecast held though and we had full sun and about 40 degrees at the start (warmed to mid 50's around 3 hours in). Shaded areas were a bit chilly but sunny areas were pleasant. I was worried about have to shed a layer do just wore gloves and a beanie which I stashed in pockets about 1 hour in. Once we stared the White Rock Lake loop the cold wind got you a bit but it's Dallas in the winter... what ya gonna do.

The course was well marked, scenic and gave you a great look at all of the different parts/neighborhoods around downtown Dallas - from multi million mansions to more humble working class neighborhood - the varied and welcoming spirit of Dallas was on full display.

The pacers from the Dallas Running Club were awesome.. highly recommend finding a pace group if that's your thing. The biggest shout out goes to all the supporters lining the streets. From signs to cheers to unofficial food, beer and shots - the supporters made this race for me. The back side of White Rock Lake gets a little quiet but coming out of the lake loop the energy picks right back up towards the finish line.

Race Tips

Course Description: We started in downtown and headed west then north thru Oak Lawn to Highland Park. In Highland Park you turn east and south and head towards White Rock Lake. You'll go downhill into the Lake and the do the WRL loop (~10 miles). Then you hit a fairly gnarly 150ft gain over a mile or so. After that the course turns southwest with flat/downhill back into downtown and the finish line. The course is definitely hilly, especially between mi ~5-7 and then coming out of White Rock Lake from mi 20-21. My watch logged ~700ft of elevation gain over the whole course (I've posted the full elevation log for the 2021 course below)

Pacing: Highly recommend practicing hills during training and then finding a pace group. Again, big shout out to the Dallas Running Club pace leaders.. they were great. I knew mile 20+ would be tough for me so I stick with the 4:30 pace group until about mile 16 and then slowly backed off so I could be sure to finish at my 5:00 target time. The 4:45 pace group passed me around mi 23 and I used that group to gauge my pace to the finish line (right under 5 hours).

Race Day: Parking was fairly straightforward from what I heard. I parked outside of downtown and took a short Uber in.. dropoff was easy as long as you knew which side of your start corral was. Public transit (DART light rail) is also an option and the start/finish is walking distance to many hotels. There are a lot of people packed into a fairly dense area so it's a bit crowded - signage needs to be higher so you can see it but overall between the map on the back of your bib, the announcements and just asking others you should be fine. Gear check was easy. After finish it's really well laid out... you'll cross the line, get your drink/food/swag/shirt and just loop back up and exit right by well marked family reunion signs.

Course gotchas: The hills, don't underestimate them. There are some tough ones. If the weather is forecast to be cold keep in mind that the wind coming of the lake can make things chilly even in full winter sun. My biggest oh s%*# moment was a pedestrian bridge over the spillway near the end of the lake loop (around 19.5miles). The bridge WOBBLES. Myself and 5 other runners thought for sure we were getting dizzy and were about to pass out... it was just the bridge moving but we all walked it because it just felt weird. Also try to run towards the center of the streets, not the sides.. the roads have quite a bit of potholes and camber and the centers are flatter and generally in better shape then the side.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Downtown Dallas has a huge number of options and is fairly condensed. You can walk from most hotels to the start. Parking was easy and close by. I arrive at 8AM for a 9AM start and was standing around just trying to stay warm for most of it.

Randy W.'s review of 2018 race.   

Review

Race was well organized, good support along course, tough hill coming out of White Rock Lake area

Race Tips

Be prepared for steep hill around mile 18

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

M's review of 2018 race.   

Review

This race was my 2nd 50k, my 34th event over 26.2 miles & it was wonderful. The course was beautiful, volunteers were top notch. Emergency personnel & law enforcement were kind & much appreciated. I’ll never forget all the gorgeous views & birds around White Rock Lake, especially the pelicans.

There was some bad weather 4 days before the race that affected the 50k course, they made adjustments to the course & you would never know they had to fix anything last minute. It was flawless.

Race Tips

Parking was easy, packet pickup was simple. Post race coordination & family meet-up was great.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

KW's review of 2017 race.   

Review

This was my first marathon, and my training was interrupted by injury, however even if this were my 10th marathon and my training was spotless I would still find it difficult I'm sure. This year the weather began in the 40s and worked its way up to the 70s, meaning during the second half of the race the precautions you had taken for the morning cold were making you over heat. Don't be fooled by the elevation map: the steady climbs are long and gruesome, and while there's lots of pretty houses to distract you, it's difficult. The 2017 course went all the way around White Rock Lake, which in my opinion was a mistake. It was monotonous and the spectators were few and far between. When we got to the far side of the lake, not only can you see the rest of the lake that you have to run around, you can also see waaay in the distance the skyline of Dallas. I almost cried, thinking, "You mean I have to run all the way back there?"

Then there's the hill at mile 20. Whose idea was that???? There's a really steep climb first, then it gets less steep but doesn't stop for at least a mile. You're already dead, and then that happens.The last 5-ish miles are blissfully flat and it does have a downhill finish, but the first 21 miles beat the life out of me so I was just barely surviving.

Race Tips

Train for hills!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

PaulB's review of 2023 race.   

Review

Pros: Small, pleasant race. Decent parking and fun post race celebration. Finisher jacket is a nice windbreaker. Great aid station volunteers.

Cons: Can't count on having pacers show up. Route is VERY poorly marked. Multiple turns were missed by the front runners. Can't recommend this race until this is fixed!!

Race Tips

Can't agree with the 'primarily flat and fast' course description. It has pretty consistent rolling terrain throughout the entirety of the course. Not huge hills, but overall elevation change is close to 800'. Also be aware that if it's a windy day (a likely scenario in north Texas), there are multiple miles on the course that are exposed. Not much crowd support.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Race day parking isn't bad, but recommend you plan on getting to the mall parking lot about 30 minutes prior. Bag drop and bag claim a bit loosey-goosey. We didn't find any hotels that were within walking distance.

hd's review of 2018 race.   

Review

Starts off fast while going though Bryan TX. You make a left turn into a gated neighborhood at mile 10. One of the steepest hills is in this portion of the course. After circling the Texas A & M campus you head back towards the mall and hit another hill just before the end of the race. Over all it is a very fun race. College students there to support you with plenty of GU water and sports drink. It enjoyable but it is a little hilly.

Race Tips

Be ready for the hill at the end of the race.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

All of the host hotels are outstanding. I like the George hotel. It has a Texas charm and is very runner friendly. They had coffee and bagels pre-race and sacks filled with food pre and post race. Also gave you a late check out after the race.

DS's review of 2015 race.   

Review

This is a great marathon. I've run it twice (2013 & 2015). It is very well organized, good aid stations with enough volunteers where they are supposed to be. Nice after party with unique foods. All proceeds from the race go to good charities. Hotels are within 1-2 miles of the start area and are inexpensive, $120 or less a night. Start location is next to a mall, so there is plenty of free parking race morning with a very short walk to the start. They have TONS of port-a-potties at the start area.

Race Tips

There are more turns than ideal on the course. If you do not run the tangents well, you will easily end up with 26.5miles or longer distance.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

RMH's review of 2013 race.   

Review

Race felt very personal, race directors gave plenty of info, and it was for a great cause.

Race Tips

There were only a few hills and they were very slight. Lots of turns in the course.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The race hotels were all within a mile of the start, parking was at the mall and it was all a seamless experience. Very well put together race, better than others I've run that were 5 times larger.