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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 4.3 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 4.2
Number of comments: 338 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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Kendall Black from Grand Prairie, TX
(1/1/2009)
"It's getting too crowded" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)s
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 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. | |
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K. O. from Missouri
(12/26/2008)
"Wind and heat." (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 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! | |
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E. P. from Colorado
(12/26/2008)
"Good race, but needs to fix the start logistics" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 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. | |
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M. K. from Plano, Texas
(12/26/2008)
"Great race - tough conditions" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 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. | |
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D. M. from Dallas, TX
(12/24/2008)
"3rd White Rock" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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! | |
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W. R. from Shreveport, LA
(12/23/2008)
"Poor planning mars a fun race" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I'd run the half marathon in 2007 and was looking forward to this year; unfortunately the race did not live up to expectations. The pre-race expo was excellent; great speakers and plenty of room to wander around checking out the exhibitors booths. The main problems were with pre- and post-race logistics. Last year, the half-marathon started an hour after the marathon, so the conditions were not too bad. This year there were 15,000 people jammed into a narrow street with barricades on both sides - perfect conditions for people to be trampled. The corral system was a good idea but not implemented very well, and some signs showing where people should line up would be helpful. The Austin Marathon, for example, has signs up on the street with projected race times to help people get an idea of where they might line up. This is something the race director should consider for next year. Race conditions were far from ideal - too hot and far too windy - but the pleasant temperatures for spectators meant there was nice crowd support throughout the course. Nice change from last year when it was 37 degrees and wet, and the course was almost deserted in places. Finally, the post-race situation was chaos for runners. Spectators everywhere keeping runners from getting out of the finish area easily; had to push my way through a huge mass of people yammering to someone on their cell phones just to get to the bag-drop area - completely ridiculous. There is NO REASON for spectators to be allowed into that area. As for the post-race food, it was terrible. And why would you tell runners there will be a post-race party in the American Airlines Center, and then allow the party to run out of water and beer? There were marathoners making their way into the center through huge crowds (again!), down a long set of steps to the party, only to be told that the beverages were all gone. If the RD was looking for a way to torture people who'd just run 26.2 miles, he really found it. | |
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K. O. from Texas
(12/20/2008)
"Excellent event - just a few things to fix" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Great expo. Absolutely first rate. I saw Rogers, Beardsley, and Yasso all in one afternoon. WOW!!! Support along the race was also nearly perfect. Great job, and a big "thank you" to the volunteers. This is an outstanding race. The course is excellent, especially early on, as we had a nice tour through beautiful residential areas. Also loved the lake. Yes, it was windy, but there is nothing you can do about that. However, you can control the corrals at the beginning of the race. This is much too big of a race for the amount of room allocated. The fences with narrow openings created a dangerous situation; in fact, I saw a number of people climbing over the chain link fence moments before the beginning of the race. This is a really bad situation and needs to be addressed before someone gets hurt. The post-race is also tight and about the worst I have ever seen. Could not find any food and just small paper cups of water. Very, very crowded and tough to find your family. Again, why so constrained? Take a look at the finish of Disney or Philly for better options. If the organizers can fix these few items, they can consider their marathon among the best in the US. | |
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C. C. from Louisiana
(12/19/2008)
"Great!" (about: 2008)
First Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was really exciting! Great spectator turn out, awesome medal and and impressive band line-up during the race! First off, miles 1-5: A little hilly, but not too bad. F-18s flew over after the national anthem... awesome! Great crowd at the start line and tons of excitement. Very organized and lots of race volunteers. Plenty of water stops, and they always had enough water and Gatorade. A little more food would have been nice... but I had plenty of GU on me. The crowds were great the whole way during the course. In some neighborhoods, people were handing out beer on their own. There were also a ton of bands... pretty much at every mile. Everyone was very friendly and supportive. It was cool that they called out names when they saw them on our personalized bibs. Miles 6-9 started getting close to White Rock Lake. It was beautiful. Gorgeous houses and the lake was beautiful. Miles 9-18: It started getting VERY windy around the lake - 40 mph gusts!!! My only complaint: at one point we were by a busy street, and the only thing separating us from traffic were orange cones. That's VERY DANGEROUS and poor planning... but other than that, it was a safe course. Miles 18-26: Still good crowds... and big party/beer at mile 19! When I crossed that finish line at mile 26.2, there were still tons of crowds - even with me finishing in 6 hours and 13 minutes. (Hey, it was my first marathon.) I cried when they put that medal around my neck. AWESOME MEDAL!! All around, an amazing experience. I will be back!!!! | |
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K. C. from South Bend, IN
(12/18/2008)
"A race worth coming back for." (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Although the weather didn't cooperate, the course and the aid stations alone make this one I will come back for. The corrals and subsequent pacers could be a little more organized, but once out of the chute, the scenery and adrenaline take over. The military jets at the start were a good touch. The expo was the best I've seen. Don't let the weather scare you. This is worth the trip. | |
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l. r. from Texas
(12/17/2008)
"Please be cooler next year" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is such a great marathon: Not too big, not too small, not too flat, not too hilly. Enthusiastic volunteers throughout. Why did the weather have to be so bad? It usually is perfect! Highlights: The expo has an area for kids; runners can wait inside the nice warm AA Center until the gun; there is indoor plumbing in the AA Center; a man on horseback starts race; you get a tour of pretty mansions; you get a tour of pretty regular houses; you get a tour of the lake; mile 19 has music and Hooters girls; and mile 20 has transvestite Dolly Partons. Lowlights: The weather this year. There was supposed to be a new wave start, but I don't think any of us figured it out. |
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