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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 161 to 171]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 15 16 17 18 19 .. 34 > ]

 

D. W. from Texas (12/16/2007)
"Awesome Support" (about: 2007)

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


This was my 3rd White Rock Marathon, and I will continue to do this one. The one aspect that I think was well received was the transition of HM into the marathon group. It used to happen around mile 22 and made for a difficult 4-5 mile ending. This year they changed it to around mile 25 and made for a much better ending. It goes to show that they are trying to make the experience a good one, and do take the feedback they get from runners and try to make it better every year. Every marathon has some problems, but the White Rock is making improvements every year!! I will be back!!

 

Andy WALKER from GUERNSEY (12/16/2007)
"VERY SCENIC FOR A BIG-CITY RUN" (about: 2007)

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


Really enjoyed the marathon.

PROS: Great expo, easy number pick-up, and excellent pasta party in the sponsored hotel, which was superb. Course was tough (hilly in parts), but very
good, especially around White Rock Lake. Water every mile - and very well marshaled. Fans were very vocal and very funny at the "Dolly Parton Hill" section at the 19 and 1/2 mile mark. Good post-race nosh and band in the AA Center. Bus to and from the start from the sponsored hotel.

CONS: Runner indiscipline at start (I tracked the 3:50 balloon and passed 2 ladies at the 2 mile-mark chatting about running a 4:30!!!). They had cups - not bottles - for water. There was not much food at feed stations.
And it was a bit confusing at the finish; better guidance to AA Center post-race bash
is needed, and it was a bit of a free for all.

 

J. W. from Kansas City (12/14/2007)
"Thanks Dallas!" (about: 2007)

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


The expo was very good for the size of marathon. In my opinion, this was better than the Disney Marathon expo. Race eay was cold, drizzly and windy. We could have easily been discouraged, but we weren't thanks to the AAC being open before the race, the free ponchos, the omnipresent police and wonderful freezing fans and bands. The course was great to look at, even when the wind off the lake was brutal. Big shout out to the Clif Bar Pacers who helped runners reach their goals strategically. Special shout out to Dave from the 3:10 group. The only negative in my opinion was the half marathon logjam encountered at the end. The medical staff was wonderful, and the runner's hat was a nice touch for finishing. Get rid of the half-marathon and marathon collision and this will be a very desirable marathon.

 

F. V. from Austin, Texas (12/14/2007)
"Great Course; Logistics Need Help" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


This was my first DWRM and my 12th overall. I am a Chicago "survivor" and was very happy the weather turned colder. The pre- and post-race logistics were not good at all. The line to get into the AA Arena was really long, and once inside, they only had two bathrooms open. There weren't any signs on which way to line up for the start, so we had to backtrack a ways to the start. The course was really nice with some easy climbs at the beginning. The wind around the lake was really tough, but the scenery was really nice. The climb through the "Parton Hills" wasn't bad at all. The post-race logistics were terrible. We were shivering in the cold while 2 people were chasing down our gear bags. Having to climb down into the AA Arena after a marathon was brutal and the lines for food were really long. I had one beer and a water after the race until I got back to my hotel. I would recommend skipping the Arena - not worth the trouble. Knowing what I know now, I plan on returning next year to try for my BQ time.

 

Russell Ingram from Oklahoma (12/14/2007)
"Excellent Race" (about: 2007)

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


After running multiple half-marathons, this was my first marathon. I can't say enough about the crowd support actually yelling for me by name throughout. Although the post-race party could have been a little better organized, I truly enjoyed every step of the way. There were even OU fans in full force. I will definitely run this again.

 

J. P. from Dallas, TX (12/13/2007)
"Course rocks - post race needs a LOT of help" (about: 2007)

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


I loved the race. The spectators and the course are what make this race. The post-race was pitiful. No food worth eating. The AAC staff were cranky and ignorant.

Run the Rock  just don't expect a post-race party.

 

J. B. from midwest (12/13/2007)
"Needs improvement" (about: 2007)

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


I have run many marathons and noted some things about this race that were good and some not so good.

Pros: Nice expo! Nice course! Volunteers and spectators on the course were great! Bands were great!! Medal is nice. Thank you to the Clif Pacers - it worked for me.

Cons: Seemed crowded to me. I kept getting jabbed in the gut by the person ahead of me.

T-shirt is ugly. We all appreciate the sponsors - can't do it without them. But there must be a better way to recognize. How about a technical shirt? I know the money is for a good cause, but put some into the shirt too.

The medal was handed to us in a plastic bag at the finish line. You had to open the bag and put it around your neck yourself.

It was congested at the finish line and I can't believe I did not see the people to take the chip off your shoe. I unfortunately still had my chip on my shoe when I left out of the runner area and they would not let me back in. I had no idea where to meet my family. No family meeting area.

The post-race party had such a mix of food that it would turn your stomach. Besides, it was so crowded on the arena floor that it was hard to get around. Not worth the trouble.

Finishing at the end with the half marathoners was also congested. You had to bob and weave around them.

I think you reached your limit. I still had a good race, but I will not go back to Dallas.

 

D. S. from Bentonville, AR (12/13/2007)
"White Rock Marathon Getting Bigger & Better" (about: 2007)

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


It truly was perfect marathon weather verses what had been forecasted. The course was beautiful and fast. The crowd support was good for a cloudy, cold and breezy day. I really enjoyed that people could cheer me on because they knew my name from my race bib. All the bands were excellent and everyone did a wonderful job at each and every water/Gatorade station. I have a strong feeling the Dallas White Marathon will continue growing bigger and better. (Note: I was extremely impressed with the marathon expo at the Dallas Convention Center too!)

 

S. C. from Houston, TX (12/13/2007)
"Nice but needs improvement" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


I used the half marathon as a training race for my upcoming marathon in January. I enjoyed the expo and found the expo to be completely satisfactory.

I think the water stops were great; someone was always telling me where to find the Gatorade.

Some of the things that need improvement include:

I didn't run the full marathon and would like a half marathon finisher's medal to remember the event. In addition, the checked baggage area was terrible. The volunteers were overwhelmed by the number of people trying to get their bags. I may not be making such a negative comment, but standing around in sweaty shorts and a shirt was not fun due to the weather conditions. In addition, I agree with the comments - making people walk down stairs to get to the food and refreshments is tough.

I've run a fair number of larger and smaller races, and most of the larger races have a finisher's shirt - what's up with Dallas?

I have family in the area, so I will not completely cross this race of my list, but I don't know if I need to do this again anytime soon.

 

B. B. from Chicago, IL (12/13/2007)
"Hard Course, Good Support, Areas for Improvement" (about: 2007)

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


This was my 18th marathon, and first one in Dallas. It is a wonderful course, with challenging hills in the beginning 8 miles and during the critical stretch between 18.5 and 21 miles. Oh, and don't forget the 5-miles downhill into the finish - your quads are in for it. Texas is not flat. Go in prepared and you will have fun on a wonderful course.

The aid stations and crowds are very enthusiastic and supportive. Even thought the race is small, the neighborhoods really come out and cheer for everyone, not just friends and family or a specific charity. Your name is on your bib, so you will be called by name.

The start and finish areas need better planning and execution - I had to ask for directions all the time. A map or a directional sign would be very helpful. I did not see anyone who looked like they knew what was going on so it was runners helping runners.

The post-race refreshments are on the floor of the American Airline Center Arena - AKA down 3 flights of stairs. Not good when your quads had seized out on the decline. I only could find water on the level that did not require a lot of pain. Also, marathoners were complaining about the food (or the lack of anything different or interesting); maybe the half-marathoners had more interesting options.

Areas for improvement: start/finish directional signs; clearly marked and knowledgeable volunteers giving directions and answering questions; refreshments available without stairs; better gear check (I had to wait 10 minutes in line); and organizers should work with the City of Dallas on those car-size potholes.

 

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