From Paris to Dallas: Olympian Dakotah Popehn to Run 2025 BMW Dallas Half Marathon

September 18, 2025

DALLAS, TX (September 18, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The BMW Dallas Marathon is thrilled to announce that Olympian and UCAN Athlete, Dakotah Popehn, will be joining this year’s race weekend festivities, which will be held Dec. 12-14, including participation in the 2025 BMW Dallas Half Marathon.

Popehn, who placed as the top American in the Paris 2024 Olympic Marathon, will serve as the event’s Elite Ambassador, connecting with runners and fans on Saturday and Sunday of race weekend. In addition to running the half marathon, she’ll appear as a special guest of UCAN at the Health & Fitness Expo on Saturday for a Q&A and photos. She will also help hand out medals to finishers at the Sunday finish line. UCAN is the official on-course nutrition provider of the 2025 BMW Dallas Marathon. The company will be serving their zero sugar Edge Energy gels on race day, the same energy that fuels Dakotah in her training and races.

“We’re honored to welcome Olympian Dakotah Popehn to this year’s BMW Dallas Marathon weekend,” said Jason Schuchard, President of the BMW Dallas Marathon. “Her presence will bring an incredible energy to race weekend, not just as an elite athlete, but as a role model for perseverance and grit. Having someone of her caliber join our half marathon is a testament to how far this event has come, and we can’t wait for our community to run alongside her.”

“I’m excited to experience the magical race weekend and see what Dallas has to offer,” said Popehn, who will be racing in Dallas for the first time. “I’m really looking forward to celebrating with the runners at the finish and sharing my story about the difference UCAN has made in my marathon fueling.”

Popehn placed 12^th at the Paris 2024 Olympic Marathon. She made Team USA by finishing third at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, despite being ranked 10th coming in. A member of Minnesota Distance Elite since 2017, she rose to prominence with back-to-back wins at Grandma’s Marathon in 2021 and 2022. A former hockey goalie, she became an NCAA Division II All-American after walking onto the cross country and track teams at Northern State University.

“Dakotah’s journey from hockey goalie to Olympic marathoner is nothing short of inspiring,” said Dr. Logan Sherman, Chairman of the BMW Dallas Marathon. “Her story reflects the heart of our race in her determination, transformation, and power of showing up. We’re so excited that she’ll be part of our weekend, and we know her impact will extend far beyond the finish line.”

The 2025 BMW Dallas Marathon, Ultra Marathon and Weekend Series events are officially sold out, with registration numbers already surpassing last year’s record-breaking 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 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 Popehn, Schuchard, or Sherman, 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 UCAN:

UCAN delivers smarter energy powered by LIVSTEADY®, a patented, complex carbohydrate that provides steady, long-lasting energy with no spikes and no crash. Originally developed to support a child with a rare metabolic disorder, UCAN’s Energy Powders and Energy Bars featuring LIVSTEADY® are trusted by over 400 college and professional teams, Olympic marathoners, health and performance thought leaders, and everyday athletes striving to finish stronger. UCAN is a purpose-driven company committed to helping athletes of all levels achieve their peak performance, fitness and health.. Learn more at ucan.co and stay connected with UCAN on social media @GenUCAN.

CONTACT:

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