At a press conference Wednesday, the Dallas White Rock Marathon board of trustees announced a major rebrand of the city’s oldest and largest annual marathon, removing “White Rock” from the race’s name and introducing a new, contemporized logo identity. Since 1971, the Dallas White Rock Marathon has been a mainstay for the running community, growing from just a few hundred runners to a field upwards of 25,000 in 2011 and expanding to include a half marathon, relay race and the Mayor’s Race 5K.
The transition to the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon comes on the heels of race organizers’ March announcement that the start and finish lines for the December 9, 2012, marathon, half marathon and marathon relays are moving to Downtown Dallas. While White Rock Lake has been and will continue to be a key element of the marathon route, the move reflects an effort to better embody the race’s evolution to a world-class running event in line with some of the world’s best-known races.
“The new name is indicative of our renewed partnership with the City of Dallas, and consistent with our goal to attract more participants,“ said Kevin Snyder, chairman of the Dallas Marathon board of trustees. “As one of the oldest, largest and best-organized running events in Dallas, we share a mutual desire with the city to highlight Dallas’ spectacular assets to a growing field of visiting and local runners each year.”
The Dallas Marathon name is more consistent with naming conventions of other top city races around the world and is expected to be more recognizable to out-of-town participants, who may not be familiar with White Rock Lake. Total participant registration in the race has increased nearly 25 percent in the previous two years, and will be capped at 25,000 runners in 2012.
“With the renaissance under way downtown, we’re excited about the opportunity to showcase all Dallas has to offer to both local and visiting participants and visitors,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. “This race is a major contributor to the city’s economy, filling room nights and restaurants during a time that is otherwise quiet for meetings and conventions.”
Participants in the 43rd running of the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon will cross the iconic Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge as the sun rises over downtown, and travel past Dallas’ newest urban greenspace, Klyde Warren Park. The full marathon course will continue east to loop White Rock Lake, with all events ending Downtown near the Dallas Convention Center. Complete course details will be announced later this summer.
Snyder and City Manager Mary Suhm also unveiled a new logo during Wednesday’s City Hall press conference, designed by award-winning graphic identity firm RBMM of Dallas.
“Our new name and logo represent evolution and modernization of this event,” said Dallas Marathon executive director Marcus Grunewald. “This race truly has grown into a citywide effort – from working with DART, Dallas Police, the Dallas Park and Recreation Department, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dallas City Hall and the mayor, to our 3,000-plus volunteers – we ensure that our race positively impacts the Dallas community and provides a world-class experience to runners and spectators.”
The MetroPCS Dallas Marathon, Half Marathon, 5-Person Relay, and SMU Cox Corporate Relay Challenge Presented by Behringer Harvard are Sunday, December 9, 2012. The Mayor’s Race 5K is Saturday, December 8, 2012.
Registration opens June 1 and is expected to sell out. Visit DallasMarathon.com for more information.
About the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon
The MetroPCS Dallas Marathon is a flat and fast race, featuring a scenic course that highlights the best areas of Dallas including the landmark Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava. The race is Texas’ oldest running marathon and serves as a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. Race activities occur the second weekend of each December and include a two-day Health & Fitness Expo, the Mayor’s Race 5K, and the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon, Half Marathon, 5-Person Relay, and SMU Cox Corporate Relay Challenge Presented by Behringer Harvard. The Dallas Marathon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; the primary beneficiary of proceeds from race weekend is Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. For more information, visit DallasMarathon.com.
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