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 71 to 81]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 6 7 8 9 10 .. 34 > ]

 

A. R. from Blair, NE (12/6/2010)
"Nice Marathon; Nice Course." (about: 2010)

3 previous marathons | 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This was by far the largest marathon I have participated in. Considering the number of participants in the 3 events (22,000), it was well organized and there seemed to be plenty of food (fruit and bars) and drinks for everyone at the end. The location of the start and finish (Fair Park) was big enough to accommodate everyone, but I can see how parking would be a pain, but this was not an issue as there was a shuttle for those staying at 1 of 2 hotels (very convenient). Aid stations were more than adequate and there were plenty of spectators handing out refreshments along the course. Very crowded at the start with all runners (marathon, half, and relay) starting together, but that should be expected. If someone doesn't like the crowd, there a many other, smaller marathons, including one in Dallas. Overall, it was a great experience (except the last 4 miles) and I would do it again. I could have done without the Nebraska loss the night before.
 

L. G. from Louisiana (12/6/2010)
"Good Race But Needs A Few Improvements" (about: 2010)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This was my first White Rock Marathon. I had read a few negative reviews in the past, but I entered this race with an open mind. The packet pick-up was easy and organized. The pre-race pasta dinner was excellent. Lots of food and good service.

Now on to the marathon. The race started a few minutes late, which was no big deal. I'm not sure what type of organizing was used for the runner placement. Within the first mile, there were people walking - lots of people walking. Some were walking in lines that completely cut across the race course and most did not have the courtesy or the knowledge to stay to one side and make room for the actual runners. Common sense would tell you that if the runners were corralled by projected finishing times, then the walkers would be in the back. This of course was not the case and you had to bob and weave around walkers the entire race, many of whom had corral placement that was ahead of many actual runners.

The race couse itself was well organized. There were plenty of refreshments at the aid stations, beautiful scenery and lots of spectators - although they were a little sparse in some areas. The finisher's medals were nice as well as the finishers shirts.

The post-race party was a bit of a disappointment. There was no hot meal served after the race - only granola bars, fruit, yogurt and beer. When I asked a race staff member if they were serving hot food, I was told that they had vendors outside who were selling hot items. I was a little insulted by that response. After 26.2 miles in the cold, a little hot food would have been appreciated.

The overall marathon was good. They just need to improve on runner placement in the corrals and serve better food at the end. Everything else in between was great.
 

P. F. from Northern Montana (12/6/2010)
"Great course and support, but food stunk" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 5


Great course - varied and scenic - but jockeying around runners/walkers constantly made it a little unnerving.

The water stations, fan support and creative signage really make for a welcoming race.

Thanks to the many police personnel who looked after intersections. It felt like little of this race was run in traffic.

The run around the lake was very, very pleasant, with lots of opportunities for port-o-johns.

THUMBS DOWN to the food at the end. Granola bars, bananas, beer and oranges that required peeling after running half of the marathon in cooler weather....
 

S. T. from Milwaukee, Wisconsin (12/6/2010)
"Nice People... Poor Organization" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)s
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 4


This was my second White Rock Half Marathon, and my 12th half marathon overall. This years' race had by far the poorest organization I have ever seen at a race. The expo at State Fair was marred by impossibly-hard-to-find parking and traffic congestion. I eventually settled for off-street parking one mile away in the surrounding neighborhood, which I would describe as "sketchy" at best.

The bag drop was worse, with two small trucks to accommodate 20,000 runners. People just started throwing their bags in the truck as race time approached. Afterward, it took 45 minutes for me to get my bag, as they had not even completed off-loading the bags prior to the finish of the half-marathon.

As far as the race was concerned, the race started 10 minutes late and left everyone in the first corral where I was grumbling, as it was 37 degrees and everyone was becoming cold and tight.

Finally, there seemed to have been a problem with the timing system. My "official" time indicated that it only took me 8 seconds to get to the starting line, but I know that after the gun went off, all of the non-elite runners were forced to wait at least an extra minute before they let us go.

The course, however, was pretty good. Some fairly substantial hills from miles 6-9, but the last four miles were flat to downhill. And, as always, the people of Dallas and the volunteers are always warm and courteous.

My first White Rock was in 2006 and I had no complaints... that's why I made the trip again from Wisconsin. I won't be back anytime soon.
 

B. B. from Dallas, TX (12/6/2010)
"I'd do it again..." (about: 2010)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my 7th marathon, but first at White Rock. I enjoyed the course. You get to see some great houses, a scenic lake, and a lot of great views of the downtown area. The start at Fair Park was nice; we found ample parking (if you arrived early, as they recommended) and all you had to do to leave was find I-30. Water stops were ample... toward the end there were even cookies and Snickers. The volunteers couldn't have been better, and the police were very helpful. The hill towards the end was a nice kick in the pants, and it made the finish even better. I could have done without each wave getting their own start (it backed up my wave, "H," about 22 minutes) but it was probably nice for the first-timers. Kudos to Dallas; I'll be back.
 

Ben Mueller from Wisconsin (12/6/2010)
"Ok - but a few glitches" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


This was a pretty decent race. The course was a lot of fun with live music and great scenery. The aid stations were well stocked and organized. Bad check-in was a disaster though. Took an hour for me to get my bag after the race. Proximity of the airport, course and host hotel is also inconvenient. Other than that this was a great race and a great way for me to cross Texas off my list. Course is also pretty flat with a few rolling hills. The warm building was also nice to go into after the race. Finisher medal was nice and the overall area of Dallas, TX was fun.
 

P. P. from oklahoma (12/6/2010)
"Traffic & Parking Nightmare!!" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)s
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 5


It took us an hour and a half to get a normal 15 minutes from the Fair Park!!! Parking was free in three lots, but because of the time it took us to get there, we had to park in someone's yard and pay! We left in plenty of time to get there more than an hour before the start but because of the traffic situation we got there 6 minutes before gun time and had to run to find the start line. It was like OU/Texas traffic and there are over 80,000 people for that event!! The organizers need to re-work this issue for next year!!! If it had not been for the beautiful weather, the fantastic spectators, the volunteers, and the bands, I would have had a bad run. They more than made up for the traffic fiasco and I thoroughly enjoyed White Rock 2010!! White Rock Lake was absolutely gorgeous yesterday! The only other negative was the relay buses did not take off when they were full, as we were told they would. There were people sitting on a hot bus for over an hour waiting to get back to the start.
 

S. L. from Dallas, TX (12/6/2010)
"Great event getting better" (about: 2010)

4-5 previous marathons | 4-5 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)s
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This was my 5th White Rock, and while there were some logistical challenges at Fair Park, I think the race was the best yet. The community support, media coverage, etc., continues to increase and it seems like the city of Dallas is really rallying around the event. Fan support was great, the course was great, and the volunteers, as always, were tremendous. It has to be a huge challenge to coordinate 22,000 participants, and the start was tough - long waits, long lines, etc. - but given the layout of the Fair Park starting area, there wasn't much that could be done differently. It was nice to have access to the buildings so that people could stay out of the weather until start time... much improved over the AAC. Restrooms, as always, were in short supply... but still a great race and a nice, new venue.
 

H. G. from US (12/6/2010)
"Nice course. Start and finish could be better." (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 5


This was my first White Rock Marathon, so I can't comment on how the new course compares to the old. But, the overall course was very nice - you run through part of downtown, through some really nice areas of Dallas, and around the lake. Water stops were plentiful. Volunteers and traffic control were great. I also liked the tech "finisher" shirts given out at the finish.

I've never run a marathon with a wave start before, and was unhappy with it. As a slower runner, I was forced to stand and wait in the 37-degree temperatures for 50 minutes before finally crossing the start line. The poor half-marathon leaders had a tough time running against the crowd as they ran their last couple of miles.

I was also disappointed at the finish line and post-race "party." They only offered water in cups, as at a water stop. No bottled water for runners to carry around and drink as needed. The only food available comprised oranges and yogurt. (I finished in 5:40, which of course was 6:30 after the marathon start.)

I would recommend this race because the course, volunteers, and spectators were great. But arrive EARLY as parking was a mess, expect to wait around before the start, and don't expect a spectacular post-race event.
 

E. A. from Fort Worth, Texas (12/6/2010)
"Should not have changed location" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 4-5 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)s
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


I really prefer the old course that started at American Airlines Center. Additionally, I found that the parking was actually easier when it was at the American Airlines Center. Everything was easier. Port-a-potties. The new course had a lot of long, drawn-out hills. Not my preference. At least the end seemed to be downhill.
 

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