DALLAS — Tens of thousands of runners, walkers and spectators will descend on Dallas this weekend to participate in the BMW Dallas Marathon Festival.
The Dallas Marathon was founded in 1971 at Dallas' White Rock Lake. In 2012, the race partnered with the City of Dallas to move the start and finish lines outside Dallas City Hall. Several other races were added over the years, including marathon relays and a half marathon course.
The race also raises funds for the Scottish Rite for Children fund, contributing $4.5 million since 1997, according to the Dallas Marathon.
From Friday to Sunday, road closures will impact several parts of Dallas including Downtown, White Rock Lake and Highland Park as runners make a 26.2-mile trek around the city. Here's how traffic will be impacted, and where you can go to cheer runners on.
Friday
The first race of the weekend will be held starting at 7 a.m. on Young and Marilla Street between Field and Browder Street. Runners will complete two laps around City Hall Plaza with separate heats to accommodate walkers, runners and elite runners. The event is expected to last until 10 p.m.
Saturday
Runners will compete in an 8K and 5K race Saturday and closures will begin at 7:30 a.m., according to the marathon's traffic guide. The marathon will use rolling course closures, meaning intersections will remain open just before the first runner approaches and will remain closed after the last runner passes. If you can, you may just want to avoid downtown entirely between 7:30 to 10 a.m. A full list of road closures is available here.
Sunday
Sunday is the main event! Runners will compete in the full, half and ultra-marathon. The marathon course will weave through downtown, Highland Park, Lakewood Heights, White Rock Lake and The Arts District before weaving its way back downtown. As with the 5K and 8K races, the marathon will use rolling street closures.
The Marathon has provided a guide for how to access the main thoroughfares in these neighborhoods here. A full list of road closures is available here.
Spectators
Spectators can watch the race near the start and finish line at Dallas City Hall Plaza and at various other stops along the route, which purposefully winds through neighborhoods and scenic areas. Both Mockingbird Station and White Rock Station are close to the race route.
