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Jul 2, 2024

Big-D Texas Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Big-D Texas Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.4

Organization 3.2

Spectators 2.8

Number of comments: 173 [displaying comments 101 to 111]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 9 10 11 12 13 .. 18 > ]

Kendall Black from Grand Prairie, TX (4/3/2007) "some of us actually enjoy running in the heat" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Big-D Texas Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my third time to run this marathon, and it just keeps getting better. OK, this may not be a five star marathon, but it doesn't deserve the negative comments I have been reading. Yes, there was a wreck on I30, but if these people had given themselves extra time to get there, they would have made it. The race was delayed 15 minutes for late starters. That was long enough. The heat is a given at this time of year, so there is no use complaining about it. There are also some hills, but so what? Marathoners should do less whining. Just because another marathon gives out finishers' shirts, they shouldn't expect it every time. Lewis George delivered on his promises. Aid stations were well staffed with enthusiastic volunteers. The course was as good as one could expect in a large city. The intersections were staffed with policemen. There was plenty of post-race food. I will be back next year.
j. p. from Dallas, TX (4/3/2007) "OK run... could be improved" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 3 Big-D Texas Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I wish the race was advertised better so more spectators would show. The fan support is crappy and the course leaves a lot to be desired. The water stations were great for a while- but around mile 17... they seemed to taper off. The volunteers at the aid stations were great and so was the Dallas PD. The course should be re-mapped to draw more public support (no one wants to come cheer you on in the ghetto or under a bridge. The I30 accident did cause major delays, but they did postpone the start time by 15 minutes- they couldn't hold up the people that were ready much longer than that. Overall, it has potential to be a great marathon- each year is an improvement.
a. w. from Us (4/3/2007) "Never again!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Big-D Texas Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 Awful accommodations for those of us who were late because of the wreck. We were running in unsafe conditions ALONE because we were unable to start with the other runners. Also, chip box didn't start, so our times were wrong. Horrible race - wouldn't recommed it EVER. Wait for White Rock!
G. C. from Midland, Texas (4/3/2007) "Better than I expected!" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Big-D Texas Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 If hadn't already signed up for this marathon prior to reading comments left by runners from prior years I probably wouldn't have done this one. Many of them talked about the Dallas heat, lots of hills, terrible post race food and not enough water stops so I was concerned. The race ended up started about 20 minutes late and it did get a little warm at the 4 hour mark but it wasn't unbearable but then I train in a West Texas. There were some hills but nothing really bad although I could really feel the ones between miles 20 22. The post race food sure could have been better, I was really hoping for lots of fruit and carbs like bagels or something but all there was were bananas, baked potatoes and burritos. I did enjoy a frosty beer though so it wasnt all bad :P. I believe there were 15 water stops along the way and most were handing out hard candy or orange slices and all had Powerade. The last few stops also had gels which was nice. All of the somewhat negative comments other runners have made may have just got me mentally prepared for a much worse experience but I just didnt have one. Overall Id have to say it was a good marathon and one I plan on doing again next year.
T. D. from Dallas, Texas (4/3/2007) "Poor Organization. No Signs. No Help In Site" (about: 2007) First Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Running in the Big D was extremely disappointing. My friends and I were late because of the huge wreck on I30, so we started the race about 15 minutes late. There were no signs directing you to the starting line. And when we found the starting line, it was completely nondescript. We actually had to ask someone if the it was actually the starting line. So we started running. My friends left me in the dust, so I ran alone. I did great and was making great time. The water station was at mile 2. I passed with flying colors and continued running. At mile 2.5 a police officer directing traffic stopped me and the 10 people ahead of me and told us that we had missed our turn and that we needed to go back. So we went back to the water station and asked the volunteers where the turn was. They had no idea. They did not even have a course map with them. There were no signs ANYWHERE!! So our only choice was walk/run to the starting line. As we were walking, we realized that the bad part of town was waking up. We were all a little nervous, but we made it back safely to the starting line. It was a complete waste of money and time. No glory of crossing the finish line. Don't run this race, choose one more organized.
G. P. from Wisconsin (4/3/2007) "Mediocre" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Big-D Texas Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was my first Big D marathon and overall I can say it was just alright. The day was beautiful and the accommodations for packet pick up and hotel/transportation were very good. There wasn't many fans along the course but given traffic conditions it is understandable. I finished in the top 100 of 450+ finishers and there was very little food at the end. I heard from others that the pizza and breakfast burritos were very good. Would suggest only serving food and beverage to people wearing a number. I feel for the people that were four hours plus if they were hungry. The t-shirts were nice but would recommend putting 'finisher' on them. People handing out water had the same shirts as the marathoners. It seemed like there was a water stop missing between miles 19 & 21. Hats off to the Texans water stop at mile 24 as they had ice in the water which was a great treat at the time. All aid stations were very good. The course had a few more hills than anticipated but made a great training run. Would not recommend for a PR. The overall trip to Dallas was great and would return if some things were improved.
S. H. from Austin, Texas (4/3/2007) "Organization was worse in 2007" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Big-D Texas Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Yet another marathon where the half marathon runners scarf down all the pizza and beer. It must have something to do with Dallas race organizers because the White Rock Marathon in 2006 had the same problem. Not much food left for marathon runners finishing after 4 hours (to be fair they still had soggy old egg tacos and plain baked potatoes). They started running out of water at the finish and there wasn't anything to drink inside. Course was fine. TX in April will probably be hot. Volunteers as always were terrific. Accelerade looked like barf, yuck. Good old Gatorade works fine, thanks. They went to a cotton T-shirt that is much nicer than the so called technical shirts that don't fit right and don't feel very good to wear. Start was delayed by 15 minutes because there was a wreck on I30. We sat in traffic for an hour, stuck on a ramp. We got to the start about 6 minutes after everyone already left. Lots and lots of walkers to wade through. Chips didn't count toward our official time so I don't know why they wasted money on them.
Paul DeMaagd from Dallas, Texas (4/2/2007) "This was a good race!" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I read a lot of negative comments about this race in 2006.... Most were about the lack of water and too many hills. There seemed to be plenty of water stations this year. In fact, the course seemed easier than the White Rock Marathon course. I do suggest giving medals to the various age-group winners that are different from the finisher's medal. All in all, it was a very good race!
l. s. from plano (4/2/2007) "Won't do it again" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Due to a nasty wreck on I-30, we missed the start of the race by an hour. There was no one around to even tell us where the starting line had been. We ran alone for the first 7 miles or so, until White Rock Lake, where we finally saw a few other racers. Only 1 aid station even had Accelerade or Clif Shots toward the end of the race (advertised on the website, so I didn't bring my own). There was no food left at the end, just empty pizza boxes and a few bananas. Even though we were late, there were still a ton of people finishing, and I am sure they were as disappointed as I was with the organization.
K. P. from Austin, Texas (4/2/2007) "LOTS to learn." (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Big-D Texas Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 The 2007 Big D Marathon was my 2nd Marathon (first was Houston 2007). Before the race I had a few questions about what was going on, and the director was VERY quick to respond with answers and helpful links when I would email him. When I got into Dallas (I live in Austin), the day prior to the race, I drove right to where I thought the start line would be, and there was nothing to indicate that there was a race the next day (not even street closer signs)...made me a little nervous. We picked up our packets and went about our day. Race day came and my family and I drove to again what we thought was the start line and followed others to the 'pre-race grouping' (directions were not great on where to go). When arriving in the building, they had breakfast set out (bagles, bananas, peanut butter, etc), which was good, as well as real bathrooms. Finally it was time to line up for the race. The course took us through some random areas of Dallas. The roads were only closed on one side. There were times I was having to wait on cars to cross where I was running, or a car would be coming down my side of the road. Alot of the times I felt lost. There was no one around me and I would have NOO clue where to turn, or if I was supposed to turn. Some spots they had volunteers pointing you in the correct direction, but that faded out towards the end. There was not enough water stops (I heard they ran out of water in 2006), especially in the last few miles. Also, I never saw a first aid tent! This made me VERY nervous. When coming to the end of the race, you wind around alot and don't only face the finish line for like 100 yds. The post race party was okay. They had the left over waters, bananas and bagles. They had pizza, but when I got there they were out (I finished in the top 100). They had breakfast tacos though, but they were VERY soggy. All in all the course was tough, the weather was great. There is just things that need work (first aid, more water and directions to everything). I'll prob run it again, just to try to beat my time.

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