How do I register for the Dallas Marathon?

Registration is open to anyone. Dallas uses a dynamic pricing model, so fees increase as more runners sign up. Registering early after entries open on May 1 gets you the lowest rate.

Is the Dallas Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. The race draws a meaningful percentage of BQ finishers each year, helped in part by the cool December weather.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course is a loop with about 700 feet of cumulative gain. It is rolling rather than flat, with the highest point around 587 feet and the lowest around 395 feet. The back half has climbs that can wear on you if you have not paced conservatively early.

What kind of weather should I expect on race day?

December in Dallas is typically cool and mild, with average highs in the mid-50s Fahrenheit and lows near 37. Occasional cold snaps or warmer days are possible, so check the forecast in the week before the race.

How large is the field at the Dallas Marathon?

Recent editions have finished close to 4,000 runners, making it a mid-sized city marathon with enough atmosphere without being overwhelming.

Sun, Dec 13 · 2026Dallas, TXSince 1971

Dallas Marathon

Dallas delivers cool December air and a rolling loop through the heart of the city, giving Boston-hungry runners a legitimate shot at their standard before the year closes out.

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DALLAS · US

Dallas

SUN, DEC 13

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 1971

Dallas in December is a solid late-season bet if you are chasing a Boston qualifier or just want a well-organized city marathon in cool weather. The course is a loop through Dallas, and the city looks sharp on a crisp December morning. You start downtown, roll through some of the city's neighborhoods, and come back around to finish where you began. The elevation is not dramatic but it is not flat either. There are real climbs in the back half, and they will find you if you went out too hard. Be patient through mile 15.

This is a genuinely BQ-friendly race, but you need to race smart. The cool temps help a lot, and registration is open so you can sign up without a lottery or qualifying time. Pricing goes up as the field fills, so registering early saves you money. December 13th falls right at the end of the year, which makes it a popular last-chance qualifier. If you have been building all fall and want a clean shot at your standard, Dallas is worth the trip.

Field size

~3.8k

3,847 finishers

BQ rate

5%

Below national average

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:12:04

Moses Kororia

2006

Women

2:29:55

Svetlana Ponomarenko

2006

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

587 ft

Lowest point

395 ft

Course shape

Loop

Start and finish in one place

Dallas runs a loop course through the city with 700 feet of cumulative gain and a net elevation change of 700 feet, meaning what goes up does not fully come down. The course oscillates between roughly 400 and 587 feet above sea level, so expect rolling terrain rather than a flat, cruise-control layout. Front-half climbing warrants conservative pacing early. Descents offer recovery but won't fully offset the accumulated effort. The December date keeps heat largely out of the equation, which helps offset the course's vertical demands. Target a negative split strategy and treat any downhill stretch in the first half as a chance to reset, not accelerate.

View official course map Download GPX Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

37°F

High

56°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

December in Dallas is generally good news for racing. You're looking at a cold corral, so bring a throwaway layer for the start. Once you're moving, the temps are comfortable enough that you can settle into your goal pace without fighting the heat. The back half of the day can warm up a bit, but nothing like a spring race. Most years this is a window where the conditions work with you, not against you.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration with dynamic pricing model where fees increase as registrations increase. Early registration recommended for lower rates.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

DFW

16 mi

from the start

≈ 25 min transferEasy transfer

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into DFW, about 16 miles from the start, an easy transfer by rideshare or transit, roughly a 25-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Dallas, TX so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.