BMW Dallas Marathon to Partner with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to Host the NAIA Marathon Classic

October 29, 2025

Collaboration brings more than 100 collegiate athletes to Dallas this December for a first-of-its-kind national field experience

DALLAS, Texas (October 29, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The BMW Dallas Marathon has announced a new partnership with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to host the organization’s annual Marathon Classic during this year’s race weekend, Dec. 12-14.

The collaboration will bring approximately 120 student-athletes from colleges and universities across the country to compete within the BMW Dallas Marathon’s elite field, marking the first time the NAIA has held its marathon classic in Texas. The field will include an estimated 50/50 split of male and female athletes, representing NAIA institutions nationwide.

This new partnership not only expands the Dallas Marathon’s growing elite field, which now totals nearly 200 runners, but also underscores both organizations’ shared commitment to athletic excellence, community connection, and the development of future distance running talent.

“We are honored to welcome the NAIA Marathon Classis to Dallas,” said Jason Schuchard, President of the BMW Dallas Marathon. “Our event has always celebrated runners of all levels, and bringing in top collegiate athletes from across the country adds an exciting new dimension to race weekend. These student-athletes represent the next generation of distance running, and we’re proud to give them a stage worthy of their talent and dedication.”

For the NAIA, the move to Dallas follows two successful years of hosting the event at the California International Marathon. The new location offers fresh opportunities for athletes and organizers alike, from Dallas’s central accessibility and runner-friendly weather to the chance to compete on a new, dynamic course within one of the nation’s most celebrated marathon weekends.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the BMW Dallas Marathon,” said Kyle Will, Director of Track & Field and Head Cross Country Coach at Bushnell University, and a member of the NAIA Marathon Committee. “From our very first conversation, the Dallas Marathon team embraced this event as if it were their own. They’re not just giving us a course, they’re giving our athletes a true championship experience, complete with elite-level recognition, staging, and support. For many of these runners, this will be the biggest stage of their collegiate careers.”

The NAIA Marathon Classic is unique among collegiate athletic organizations. The NAIA remains the only collegiate body to sponsor a marathon event, offering student-athletes the opportunity to compete in a 26.2-mile championship format that tests endurance, strategy, and character.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the Dallas race weekend because I’ve always wanted to run a marathon,” said Cadence Smith, Bushnell University sophomore and cross-country runner. “Getting to compete in such a long race on such a big stage brings me so much joy and I’m so grateful to get to experience it.”

The event will feature separate starts and awards for NAIA participants, recognizing top individual performances for both men’s and women’s divisions. Proceeds from the broader BMW Dallas Marathon weekend benefit Scottish Rite for Children, reinforcing both organizations’ commitment to youth health and community impact.

“Our goal is to give every runner, from elite to first-time finisher, a world-class experience,” added Schuchard. “Partnering with the NAIA allows us to celebrate competitive achievement while strengthening our connection to the next generation of runners.”

Will said the NAIA Marathon Committee hopes this partnership will become a long-term tradition.

“We’d love to see this become the permanent home of the NAIA Marathon Classic,” Will said. “Dallas brings the right combination of infrastructure, community support, and big-race energy that makes this event truly special.”

The 2025 BMW Dallas Marathon, Half Marathon, Ultra Marathon and Weekend Series events are officially sold out, with registration numbers already surpassing last year’s totals. This marks a major milestone for the organization, which has grown to a full weekend of running and walking events including a marathon, half marathon, 50K ultra marathon, multiple relays, 10K, 5K, and a number of kids races. Registration is still open for select individual events, but organizers encourage those interested in participating this year to sign up as soon as possible to guarantee entry.

For more information on this year’s BMW Dallas Marathon, visit DallasMarathon.com. If you are interested in an interview with Will, Schuchard, or Smith, please contact Silver Hogue at silver.hogue@hck2.com or 214.697.3113.

About The Dallas White Rock Marathon

The Dallas White Rock Marathon (DWRM) is a nonprofit organization with a focus on promoting health and physical fitness through running events and related activities. The organization is comprised of 15 volunteer board members and a full-time staff with various backgrounds and running experiences that help carry out the mission of the DWRM as well as support the growth and impact of the DWRM portfolio of events in the Dallas-Fort Worth community. Dating back to 1971, the organization hosts year-round events culminating with Dallas’ largest and Texas’ longest running marathon: the BMW Dallas Marathon. Now in its 54th running, the marquee event, with 12 running and walking events for all ages, will attract runners from across the globe and hundreds of thousands of spectators to Dallas’ largest single-day sporting event. The BMW Dallas Marathon course highlights iconic Dallas landmarks and is recognized as the official marathon of the City of Dallas. Since naming a primary beneficiary in 1997, DWRM has donated more than $4.5 million to Scottish Rite for Children. For more information, visit www.dallasmarathon.com.

About the NAIA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is a governing body of small athletics programs dedicated to developing character-driven student-athletes. With more than 240 member institutions nationwide, the NAIA emphasizes academic excellence, athletic performance, and servant leadership. Learn more at www.naia.org.

CONTACT:

Silver Hogue
(214) 697-3113
Silver.Hogue@hck2.com