You are here:
Dallas Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Dallas, TX, USA
- Race Date: 12/13/2026
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
Qualifying Race For:
Boston: Yes
World Major Qualifier: Yes
Dallas Marathon Description
The BMW Dallas Marathon anchors a massive festival weekend each December, drawing thousands of runners downtown for the marathon, half marathon, 5K, and relay. The Boston-qualifying, single-loop course leaves Dallas City Hall, winds through Oak Lawn and Highland Park, circles scenic White Rock Lake, and returns to a skyline finish at City Hall Plaza. Rolling hills peak near Highland Park around mile 6 and again coming out of White Rock Lake near mile 20. Pace groups help runners of every level chase a fast finish in the heart of Texas.
Share This Race
Shop This Race
Handpicked for runners toeing this line.
Dallas Marathon Additional Details:
Along with Gatorade and water, aid stations here stock pickle juice and UCAN Edge gels, a combination cramp-prone runners in the Texas heat have come to appreciate more than the usual banana and pretzel routine. The finisher medal is carved with recognizable Dallas landmarks and pairs with a tech shirt in matching design, so the two pieces read as a coordinated set rather than separate afterthoughts. Cheer stations and on-course entertainment keep the crowd energy high through Oak Lawn and Highland Park, with DJs and live bands adding to the noise well before the return to downtown. Once you’re through the City Hall Plaza finish, the post-race festival rounds things out with real food, drinks, and music rather than a quick grab-and-go spread.
Course Information
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 6.5 hours (full), 4.5 hours (half)
# of Finishers
8,000+ Half Marathon
3,800 to 3,900 Marathon
200 Ultramarathon
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 843 ft
Elevation Loss: 843 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 44°F
- High: 62°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Dallas, TX, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Sports & Entertainment
AT&T Stadium
Tour AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys’ home field and one of the NFL’s most impressive venues — a relaxed, mostly-seated way to spend an afternoon.
Food & Drink
Deep Ellum Brewing Company
Tour Deep Ellum Brewing Company’s taproom and sample craft beers in one of Dallas’s oldest, most historic neighborhoods — a relaxed way to celebrate the finish line.
Landmark
The Star
Tour The Star, the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters and practice facility turned entertainment district with shops and restaurants — a relaxed, low-impact outing after race weekend.
Shopping
Bishop Arts District
Browse funky shops and grab fresh juice at Tribal All Day Café in the Bishop Arts District, one of Dallas’s beloved culinary hot spots — an easy, walkable stroll.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Klyde Warren Park
Relax in Klyde Warren Park, a green deck park bridging Uptown and the Dallas Arts District, with year-round events — an easy, flat option for tired legs.
Arts & Culture
Dallas Museum of Art
See innovative exhibitions in the Dallas Arts District at the Dallas Museum of Art, the district’s founding institution — a relaxed, indoor rest-day visit after race day.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Dallas World Aquarium
See a rainforest exhibit with exotic birds and sloths at the Dallas World Aquarium, part of its conservation-focused collection — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop.
Museums & History
Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
Reflect on history at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, one of the city’s most moving cultural stops — an easy, air-conditioned indoor visit after race weekend.
Outdoors & Trails
Trinity Audubon Center
Go birdwatching along 5 miles of trails at the Trinity Audubon Center, part of the Great Trinity Forest — a flat, low-impact nature walk near downtown Dallas.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Dallas Marathon
Compare nearby hotels and book your Dallas Marathon race-weekend stay in seconds.
Sunrise Running Company may earn a commission if you book through the map below, at no extra cost to you.
Featured Race
A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes
Other Races In Texas
Boston Qualifier: Yes
World Major Qualifier: Yes