It is a shame that the organization for this race is so bad because it could be so great! The course is perfect. The spectators are wonderful and loud. But you can't get to the start line because of the people; there are not enough port-a-potties at the start; there are not enough direction to the start; and EVERYONE starting together. How can you start a marathon, relay, 10K, and half marathon all together? I appreciated the music and exciting start ceremony, but the sheer number of people and lack of direction was crazy. As for the finish... where to begin? I ran slowly (5.25 hours) because I was running with a friend in her first race. The course was advertised to be open for 6.5 hours.

We got to the finish, received our medals and were told there was no water or food left! At the finish line or the after party!! I didn't even know I was to receive a shirt. I just wanted something to drink! When I sent a nice email explaining the situation, I was told that they had spoken with the volunteers, and, "Yes, there was food and drink left at that time; you must be mistaken." I did not appreciate that. I want to like this race because it is my home, but I don't think I can try it again unless something major is changed.

This race gets bigger every year, but the race organizers are completely clueless on how to handle it.

The start and finish were marred by total chaos. The corral system was not enforced and people lined up WAY ahead of where they should have been. In addition, there were entirely too many people in too small of a space. It made the early miles impossible to run at your pace.

Likewise, the finish line was a nightmare. If you were even able to find the post-race party, you got to walk down several flights of steps (OUCH! after 26.2 miles!) to be told they were out of everything.

In between the start and finish, the course was good. Volunteers were plentiful and enthusiastic, and the course has the potential to be a fast one.

The weather in '08 was TERRIBLE! Hot and windy. The organizers can't help that, but be warned that the weather in Texas is COMPLETELY unpredictable and anything could happen on race day.

On the whole, a great course, and great volunteers, but clueless organizers who have allowed the race to become bigger than what they can handle. Perhaps they should further limit the field size to ensure a good experience for all. I know, I know, bigger is better, quantity ($$$) is king, and quality be forgotten. The race organizers have become victims of their own success in that they put on a good race, it got too big, and they can't deal with it.

This was my first marathon and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Crossing the start line with confetti and inspiring music was an incredible feeling. I visit Dallas often (my fiance is originally from there) and I always say the friendliest people in the country are from there. This race was no exception, as the city and the volunteers really came out in full force. Yes the wind was tough, and I got hurt around mile 18, but I walked on through to the end with every volunteer cheering me on, and even some of the racers.

About the shirts:
I also finished really slowly and missed all of the post-race party and finisher's shirts because of the injury. So I immediately sent a somewhat angry email from my phone to the race director. Amazingly, she's been personally handling my request and I am on the list to get a new shirt. On race day, the volunteers messed up and mistakenly gave finisher shirts to relay'ers, so they ran out. Now they have to re-order from New Balance and silk screen them again from scratch. When that happens, they will send me a brand new one. To me, service like that for a race with tens of thousands of runners is pretty remarkable.

All in all, a great experience and I hope to come back again (and finish in a decent time).

I signed up for the marathon with my shirt size included. When I finished (yes, it took this walker about 5 hours to finish this "walker friendly" marathon), no shirts my size were available. It's simple. I gave my size when signing up. I finished before the course closed. I'm still holding out for what's due me. Subsequent emails have been ignored.

Otherwise, only compliments.

This was my first marathon. I thought the expo was good. I went early, so there were no crowds, and I got two shirts! No lines.

Marathon Pros:
1. Good crowd support.
2. VOLUNTEERS were wonderful - even to those of us on the course a long time.
3. Aid stations had plenty of water and Gatorade - even at the end. I can't say enough nice things about the volunteers, course guides, and policemen.
4. The Hyatt's service was great!!

Cons:
1. Pre-race organization was ok - even bag-drop was good (but I was early, so there were no lines). Still, it was crowded - why not have the half-marathoners start later to avoid the crowding?
2. For those of us on the course for a LONG time (and don't count us out - we paid our fee and will eventually get faster), there was little support at the finish line.
3. I did get a medal and a sweet volunteer put it around my tired neck, but there was no food or shirt....
4. No excuse for not having the right number of finisher shirts; the math is easy - just order the same number of shirts as you do medals.
5. No food or any nutrition at the end.
6. No shuttles for the ones that finished after 6 hours (and we were the ones that needed it).

I have participated in local races and tri's that provide better race packets. I am not complaining - I know the profits go for a good cause - but these little things keep the participants coming and spending.

I have run this marathon every year for the past 11 years. It gets more crowded every year and nothing is done about it. Traffic tie-ups are the first problem that needs to be addressed. I sat in traffic for over and hour and barely made it to the start line. The start line itself is the second problem. There was no corral system. I spent the first 3 miles dodging very slow runners and walkers. It was frustrating. There are many other marathons that implement and enforce a corral system with good results. If the White Rock organizers could address these two problems, this marathon would be top-notch.

This was my second marathon. Just a couple of thoughts from a SLOW marathoner: It was really windy, especially around the lake. It was hot, especially when I finished (5.5 hours after the start). The volunteers and crowd were fantastic. Apparently, the post-race party and finisher's shirts are only for those who finish quickly!

Overall this was a good race - nice course, excellent crowd support, variable terrain without being too hilly. Getting two shirts - a long-sleeve cotton T-shirt and a long-sleeve tech tee at the finish - exceeded my expectations. The aid stations and crowds seemed to be consistent and enthusiastic.

As lots of people have said, the organization of the start corrals was a nightmare. I spent the first 3 miles dancing around people who had no business being that close to the start. I tried to line up 15 minutes prior to the start, but it was impossible to even get up to my pace group because of the crowd and fences. A marathon of this size (especially with the 1/2 starting together) should have a much more organized start. Not acceptable.

The fans were very, very enthusiastic. There seemed to be a water/fluid station every mile or so. This was very helpful on a warm day. The corral system didn't work at all and I agree with the other postings that the half, 10K and 5K racers should start at different times. I think this is what they did last year.

The course has a few hills - mile 19-20 starts the Dolly Parton hills and these can be a challenge in the wind. Otherwise, it is a good run through neighborhoods and around White Rock Lake.

Bottom line: this is a great race and I look forward to racing in it next year.

I just want to say thanks to all of those who volunteered, and to the spectators for coming out and cheering us on. It gave the race a much greater atmosphere! So, thank you again!