Course Map
Route based on 2024 course — may differ slightly from this year.
About this Race
The BMW Dallas Marathon is a rolling course through the north Texas city, looping around the scenic shores of White Rock Lake and through downtown on terrain that undulates more than runners often expect. Held in December, it usually offers cool, favorable conditions well suited to hard racing. The lake circuit is the scenic highlight, with the rolling profile demanding measured pacing. The crowds are warm and the organization solid in one of the South's biggest marathons. It suits runners who want a cool-weather Texas race with pleasant scenery and don't mind the gentle hills over a flat-out fast time.
Course Insight
Dallas rolls through December around White Rock Lake on a course with enough undulation to punish a rigid pace plan. Run the hills by effort and treat the lake stretches, where wind can build, as a place to shelter in a pack. Cool winter air suits fast running once you account for the rollers. The terrain rewards steady strength over fixed splits. Pace the undulations with restraint and the back half stays under your control.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to tough late hills.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 235m
- Elevation loss
- 242m
- Highest point
- 177m
- Lowest point
- 120m
- Net elevation
- +7m
- Start
- Dallas City Hall Plaza
- Cutoff time
- 6h 30m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:12:04 — Moses Kororia (Kenya), 2006
- Women's
- 2:29:55 — Svetlana Ponomarenko (Russia), 2006
Race History
The BMW Dallas Marathon was first held in 1971 as the Dallas White Rock Marathon, built around a rolling course circling the scenic shores of White Rock Lake. Its undulating terrain and cool December timing made it a long-standing fixture of Texas running. From its founding it grew into one of the South's established marathons. Held each December, it draws a large field to the north Texas city.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Dallas Love Field (DAL)
- Best area to stay
- Downtown for proximity to the route, Uptown for trendy, walkable stays, and the Lakewood area for proximity to the White Rock course.
- Getting to the start
- The start is downtown near City Hall; take DART light rail to a central station or walk from downtown hotels.