Dallas Marathon

Dallas, United States of America 14 Dec, 2025

The Dallas Marathon is an annual running event held in Dallas, Texas, that attracts a diverse field of participants including runners, walkers, and wheelchair competitors. The event takes place over a three-day weekend and features multiple race distances, with more than 30,000 participants typically involved each year. The main race starts and finishes in downtown Dallas, specifically on Young Street near the Dallas Police Memorial close to City Hall.

The course traverses various neighborhoods of Dallas, including downtown, Oak Lawn, Highland Park, and areas around White Rock Lake. The route is characterized by rolling terrain with notable elevation changes, especially in the early to middle portions. Runners encounter a gradual uphill through the initial few miles, a more significant climb between miles 2 and 3, and the peak elevation around Monticello Avenue in Highland Park between miles 6 and 7. By this point, runners will have climbed nearly 180 feet in under four miles on the half marathon course. After passing mile 7, the course features an extended downhill stretch, followed by largely flat or slightly downhill terrain on the return toward downtown for the finish.

Elevation data for the full marathon course indicates a minimum elevation of approximately 395 feet (120 meters) and a maximum of 587 feet (178 meters), resulting in a total elevation gain of about 843 feet (257 meters) over the entire distance. There are some steep climbs, particularly around mile 20 coming out of White Rock Lake, which presents a significant challenge for many competitors. The closing segment features a downhill and flat approach to the finish line, offering some relief after the earlier hills.

The marathon course is considered moderately difficult due to its notable elevation variations and the presence of several hill segments, which require targeted preparation for runners aiming to perform well. Participants are advised to incorporate hill training into their preparation, as the terrain can impact pacing and overall race strategy.

In recent years, changes to the course have reduced the number of sharp turns and minimized elevation gains, making the route faster and slightly less challenging compared to previous editions. Nevertheless, the course retains its characteristic mix of urban landscapes, residential neighborhoods, and park areas, providing varied scenery throughout the event.

The Dallas Marathon is recognized as one of the larger marathons in Texas and forms part of a broader festival that includes multiple race options, supporting a wide range of participants and skill levels.

Generic Marathon Time This represents the time you would expect to run a "generic" marathon in. This is a marathon with around 250 m (800 ft) of elevation gain and a temperature around 10°C (50°F). For best results, use our Race Predictor.

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Dallas Marathon Time


Statistics

Elevation
Elevation Gain 270 m 886 ft
Elevation Low 116 m 381 ft
Elevation High 185 m 607 ft
Weather
Expected Temperature (Low) 7°C 44°F
Expected Temperature (High) 12°C 53°F
Chance of Rain 5%

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The Dallas Marathon is an annual running event held in Dallas, Texas, that attracts a diverse field of participants including runners, walkers, and wheelchair competitors. The event takes place over a three-day weekend and features multiple race distances, with more than 30,000 participants typically involved each year. The main race starts and finishes in downtown Dallas, specifically on Young Street near the Dallas Police Memorial close to City Hall.

The course traverses various neighborhoods of Dallas, including downtown, Oak Lawn, Highland Park, and areas around White Rock Lake. The route is characterized by rolling terrain with notable elevation changes, especially in the early to middle portions. Runners encounter a gradual uphill through the initial few miles, a more significant climb between miles 2 and 3, and the peak elevation around Monticello Avenue in Highland Park between miles 6 and 7. By this point, runners will have climbed nearly 180 feet in under four miles on the half marathon course. After passing mile 7, the course features an extended downhill stretch, followed by largely flat or slightly downhill terrain on the return toward downtown for the finish.

Elevation data for the full marathon course indicates a minimum elevation of approximately 395 feet (120 meters) and a maximum of 587 feet (178 meters), resulting in a total elevation gain of about 843 feet (257 meters) over the entire distance. There are some steep climbs, particularly around mile 20 coming out of White Rock Lake, which presents a significant challenge for many competitors. The closing segment features a downhill and flat approach to the finish line, offering some relief after the earlier hills.

The marathon course is considered moderately difficult due to its notable elevation variations and the presence of several hill segments, which require targeted preparation for runners aiming to perform well. Participants are advised to incorporate hill training into their preparation, as the terrain can impact pacing and overall race strategy.

In recent years, changes to the course have reduced the number of sharp turns and minimized elevation gains, making the route faster and slightly less challenging compared to previous editions. Nevertheless, the course retains its characteristic mix of urban landscapes, residential neighborhoods, and park areas, providing varied scenery throughout the event.

The Dallas Marathon is recognized as one of the larger marathons in Texas and forms part of a broader festival that includes multiple race options, supporting a wide range of participants and skill levels.

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