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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 221 to 231]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 21 22 23 24 25 .. 34 > ]

 

A. H. from New York (12/12/2006)
"Great spectators! Nice finisher shirt." (about: 2006)

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


This was my fifth marathon, and my first Dallas Marathon. Thanks to the fast, flat-ish course (the last six miles were all downhill!), I finally qualified for Boston! Yea! The spectators were phenomenal. There was plenty of water, Gatorade and potties (although there were only three that I could see at the start). The weather was way cooler than had been forecast, so my hands were cold, but I guess weather in Texas is a bit unpredictable in December. I was pleasantly surprised at all the goodies (standard cotton t-shirt, nice finisher shirt, really nice medal, and beer cups too!).

I'd suggest organizing some kind of finish-line reunion system, similar to what's done in NYC. I spent over an hour in the chilly drizzle looking for my family. Also, part of the course runs alongside a highway, which was a little scary. Aside from that, this was a fantastic race. Highly recommended.
 

l. r. from texas (12/12/2006)
"Come on down to Big D" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Wow, I was very impressed by this race. Well organized, peopled by famous runners - like Joan Samuelson and Frank Shorter - lots of pre-race bathrooms in the AA Center, and a pretty and not-too-hard course. The biggest problem I have with it is that it falls at a time of year when it is tough to get away.

The host hotel, the Hyatt, was quite welcoming to runners. Eager-to-please staff, easy transportation, and no problem with late checkout. The only thing I'd change would be to offer a complementary bottle of water in the room. (I drank tap water, and avoided paying for the big bottle on the TV.)

The expo was great! Bring your kids! It had a kids' area with a climbing wall and a jumper. Also, line dancing instruction, which was funny.

The course is pretty - not urban, but suburban. Runners see pretty homes decorated for Christmas and then the lake. It isn't flat, but the hills aren't bad. Really. If you have done The Pig or Little Rock or even NYC, these hills are nothing to be afraid of.

There was some congestion at the finish. Families pressing in and blocking runners from getting out. I hear that at some points the half people were in the way of the marathon finishers, too, but I didn't have a problem with that.

I'd do it again.
 

B. D. from Texas (12/12/2006)
"wow" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 2 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)s
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


One of the best I've run. I won't repeat the other glowing comments.
 

K. B. from Australia (12/11/2006)
"Fantastic organization/fantastic value" (about: 2006)

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


I come from Australia and this is my first marathon in the States, but of the 25 marathons I have done elsewhere, this is the best-organized, best-value marathon I have done. Two t-shirts, free beer at the post-race function, great medal, heaps of food and drink being offered on the course inclusive of gels. F18 flyover at the start, awesome expo (we usually don't have them at all in Australia). I think you guys have got it very, very good. Awesome crowd support and a great course for doing a PB. Topped up with a well structured website and organized by a board of volunteers. I think it is important to give credit where it is due. WELL DONE.
 

M. G. from Dallas, TX (12/11/2006)
"Good Course. Great Spectators" (about: 2006)

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


This was my second time doing this marathon and my best experience. I didn't run with my Mp3 player and I didn't miss it. The people there were great and very supportive; especially the people at miles 9, 12, 16, and 25 (it was incredible that they got all those people there). And the Dolly Parton boys at mile 19 were hilarious.

Some of the water stations could have used a few more volunteers, but that was minor issue.

The course itself is good, but I guess there is no escaping the climb during miles 19-21.
 

J. L. from San Angelo, TX (12/11/2006)
"A nice race to run" (about: 2006)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


I enjoyed the course immensely. Unlike most urban marathons, this marathon always has something nice to look at, with no ugly neighborhoods or turns thrown in to make up mileage. Using the American Airlines Center was great as well.

My only complaint this year was the finish area. Unlike every other marathon I've run, there was no food for the runners, unless you went into the arena, down the steps, and onto the floor. At least some bagels or bananas in the finishing area would have been nice.
 

Colin Henderson from Dallas, Texas (12/11/2006)
"Great race and aid stations" (about: 2006)

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


Althought White Rock is home (literally) and I love our race, I do believe that the change of the half course should be reconsidered. The relay is confusing enough to the full marathoners. Also, the last several hundred yards to the finish line should be more dramatic; pick another street and extend the barrier so we are not running through people walking the opposite direction.
 

Ima Casual Runner from Dallas, TX (12/10/2006)
"A good race with obvious growing pains" (about: 2006)

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


I've done this race for the last 4 years... and this was the first time it felt impossibly crowded (I did the half).

The biggest disappointment was the start - it took so long to get started, people seemed fixated by the giant video screens. The worst was the finish and the post-race party. Both were so crowded. The one-hour delay meant almost no food.... That means that anyone who didn't do a three-hour marathon gets to the finish and gets crumbs.
 

B. B. from Texas, USA (12/10/2006)
"GREAT EVENT (2006)" (about: 2006)

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


Thanks for a safe and effective event. In realization that this event is for the kids, those of us who support it and run each year, we'd like to see more activity with these kids the event. I realize that it is often hard to get these kids out and about, but... I for one saw a four year-old with leg issues this morning and it only inspired me more. These kids are precious and they need to be recognized in some manner.... We run 26.2 or 13.1 or relay for them - let's honor them during the 2007 marathon!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's get some to volunteer out there that will hold signs or ring bells at the corners - just generally make this event even more special than JUST A RACE... because we all know it is more than just a race/event!!!
 

L. S. from Ft Worth, Texas (12/7/2006)
"Great first-time marathon!" (about: 2004)

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


This was the first marathon I ran back in 2004. What a great experience for a first marathon. Those Dolly Parton-guys around mile 20 are the best!
 

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