calendar icon May 18, 2024

Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon) Runner Comments

Back to Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon) Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.9 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.2 
 
 
Number of comments: 338 [displaying comments 291 to 301]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 28 29 30 31 32 .. 34 > ]

 

R. B. from Fort Worth, Texas (12/15/2003)
"Perfect for 'first timers'" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was 'my first' and I'm immensely glad I did it. ?Newbies? get their own colored number and their own category. A lot of people chose this as their first. The course was relatively flat (my GPS said I ?ascended? a cumulative 500 feet over the entire course). We went through multi-million $ neighborhoods, around the lake, and through the cultural district (although the road was torn up on the 3-mile stretch of Swiss Avenue near the end), with a finish near American Airlines Center. There were cops everywhere, plenty of fluids, bands, and bathrooms along the course, with decent crowds at numerous locations. Not shoulder-to-shoulder, but enough that it was obvious when they were gone. Would I travel from far away for this? Maybe. The race hotel is really nice and there are tons of great restaurants along the course. One thing I?d change is that the post-race food/drink (which was inside American Airlines Center) was available to anyone who walked up ? so the runners had to wait in line behind spectators.
 

Wade Morris from Birmingham, Alabama (12/15/2003)
"Good Run But Needs Some Improvement" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I will say that I enjoyed the run and running White Rock Lake is impressive. There were several problems worth mentioning that I think would be a help. The potholes and cracks in the road need to be filled so that you do not worry about getting injured the whole race. Also, the start and finishing line were ridiculous. The starting line had runners jumping over the rails so they could begin. The finish was crazy as I was in need of hydration and the people there were trying to make me wait in line for a picture, which is the last thing on my mind after running for 4 hours. All they had outside the finishing line was water and I found out later that there was food, etc. inside the AA arena. It would have been nice to know about that from the people at the finish line.

The spectators were interesting. Some were the greatest that I had come around but most just stared at us as we ran. I clapped for them more than they clapped for me. Thank God for the 'High Five' zone around the lake!

Again, good run and could be one of the best if the small things are taken care of.
 

Sam Balandran from Bedford, Texas (12/15/2003)
"Great Course - Plenty of People - Perfect WX" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Perfect running conditions on a great course. This was my 87th marathon and 17th White Rock. This marathon continues to improve each year, however, my times don't. Thanks! Oh, one negative note, please fine tune packet pick-up. See ya'll next year!
 

M. K. from Flower Mound Tx (12/15/2003)
"Fantastic race! " (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


My 5th running of the White Rock. Seems to get better every year. I love doing this marathon as it is superbly organized. Never been disappointed. Volunteers are fantastic and very motivational. Police do a great job in controlling traffic . Great to see so many live bands along the course. Will be back...
 

D. D. from Benton, louisiana (12/15/2003)
"Great experience. Will definitely run again." (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first marathon. I had a friend that ran with me. It was his second. It was pretty cold at the start. They let us in the American Airlines center, so we could stay warm before the race. They had a nice touch with the planes flying overhead during the singing of the National Anthem. The fans during the race were awesome. I am definitely doing the race next year, because from what I have read and heard the race keeps getting better every year. So everyone definitely keep this one in mind when planning your marathons or marathon for the year.
 

J. F. from Houston, TX (12/15/2003)
"Perfect Race" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This was a great race! The course was beautiful and the fans were AWESOME! There was so much support from everyone. Aid stations were great, and volunteers were friendly. A tad bit cold - starting temp of 32 degrees...but beautiful sunshine to keep you going.
 

Bonnie Jo Barron from Houston, Texas (12/15/2003)
"Enjoyable. Very nice course. Good spectators." (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This was my first time to run this marathon and this was my fourth marathon ever. Had a really good time. Nice course and the hills are not as bad as they look on the elevation chart. Coming from VERY flat Houston, it was not as difficult as I thought. Got a little windy around White Rock Lake. Enjoyed the way there was so much entertainment/spectators leading up to each aid station; this made the mile markers move along more quickly. Outstanding organization along the course and at the finish line. The only poor organization was getting to the start line--it was very confusing figuring out exactly where it was and where the spectators ended and the runners began. Once you were in the correct area, it was fine and there was plenty of room (not crowded).
 

J. S. from Dallas (12/15/2003)
"Very Good Experience" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This marathon just keeps getting better and better. More bands and more spectators than prior years. Plenty of water stops and other support. The loop around the lake is still rather lonely but there isn't really anything that anyone can do about that. Weather this year was great as usual. I would recommend this race to anyone who wants to run a fun, safe, friendly marathon.
 

F. T. from Denton, TX (12/15/2003)
"White Rock 15th to 20th mile relay" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


A team member said she heard the 15th to the 20th mile was a nasty leg of the relay. I definitely felt it must have been the most pleasant. Running alongside the bank of White Rock, under a railroad bridge with a P.A. system, through pleasant neighborhoods, live music, with supportive spectators all along the way and (surprisingly) cold beer at the 18th. The event provided great bus service, and was all around spectacular.
 

S. B. from Dallas, TX (12/14/2003)
"Great race... start could use more organization" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Overall, this was a great event... perfect weather, good crowd support, good course, good finisher's medal & T-shirts. This is the second year I've run it, and I will definitely run it again.

My only negative comment has to do with the start. With the combination of the half marathon and 5 person relay participants, the start was quite crowded this year. There were enough runners that corals should be set up according to REALISTIC estimated finish time next year. I believe there were about 9,000 runners between the 1/2, full, and 5-person relay. Fix that, and this will truly be a topnotch event.
 

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