More than 30,000 Runners Crossed the Finish Line this Weekend During BMW Dallas Marathon Festival’s 52nd Running

December 10, 2023

(DALLAS) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – A record-breaking turnout saw more than 30,000 runners race through downtown Dallas, its stately neighborhoods, and around White Rock Lake – on a course lined with more than 100,000 cheering spectators – finishing at Dallas City Hall for the 52^nd running of the BMW Dallas Marathon Festival.

“Congratulations to all of our runners who crossed the finish line today in our 52^nd running,” said Charles Peyton, Chairman of runDallas. “We are always so excited to welcome runners from throughout the United States and around the world to our first-class event. It’s amazing to see the incredible turnout this year.”

Award Winners

Texas locals and out-of-state/country visitors take top honors at the 2023 BMW Dallas Marathon Festival.

Full Marathon

Joeseph (Joe) Hale, 30, of Dallas, Texas, achieved a first-place finish for his second time, winning in 2021 with a time of 2:24. “I am so happy, I’ve been training for this moment my whole life,” he said. “Winning it once was amazing and one of the biggest accomplishments of my life, and winning it again is unexplainable.”

Jillian Wolf, 31, of Dallas, Texas, was the women’s first place finisher with a time of 2:51. “I’m ecstatic,” she said. “This was my first marathon six years ago and so winning the race today was an unreal feeling.”

Brian Goldsmith, 37, of Las Colinas, Texas, broke the Guinness World Record time (pending verification) for running a full marathon in full football gear with a time of 3:29. “I appreciate everyone being so supportive and just really excited about the event,” he said. “It was really something I will look back on as one of the greatest moments of my life.”

Half Marathon – 20^th Anniversary Year

Mitchell (Mitch) Ammons, 34, of Austin, Texas, achieved a first-place finish with a time of 1:07. “It’s been such a great day and to win is such an honor,” he said. “I grew up watching my mom run this race, so it’s a full circle moment.”

Mimi Smith, 26, of Dallas, Texas, was the women’s first place finisher for the second year in a row with a time of 1:15. “It felt really great to win again” she said. “The training community here in Dallas has been so amazing and I’m already training for my next one.”

Ultra Marathon (50K)

Calum Neff, 39, of Fulshear, Texas, took first place overall (Men) in the Ultra Marathon 50K (31 miles) with a time of 2:58. “It feels amazing to win,” he said. “The weather has been great, and I’m grateful for my family being out here to support me.”

Kristi Coleman, 38, of Yukon, Oklahoma, took first place overall (Women) category in the Ultra Marathon with a time of 3:41. Coleman began her race in the first leg of the Shell Energy Relays and completed her run in the Ultra marathon. “I feel ecstatic,” she said. “This was my first ultra marathon, and I’m so excited.”

Wheelchair participant, Heather Sealover, 36, of Bossier City, Louisiana, participated in the BMW Weekend Series and finished in first place in Saturday’s 10K and Sunday’s full marathon.

Marathon Moments

Weekend Events

The BMW Dallas Marathon Festival has had thousands of participants run its course since 1971, with the record-holders for both the male and female divisions having the title since 2006. The current record in the female division is held by Svetlana Ponomarenko with a time of 2:29:55. The male division record-holder is Moses Kororia with a time of 2:12:04.

10K Winners

Michael Trese, 27, of Irving, Texas, took first place for men in the 10K. The women’s 10K race had an exhilarating finish, with Luciana Bartholomew, 42, of Aledo, Texas taking first place.

10K Wheelchair Winners

Ryan Davis, 14, of Waskom, Texas placed first for men in the 5K Wheelchair division. Heather Sealover, 36, Bossier City, Louisiana, crossed the finish line first for women.

5K Winners

Eli Mcward, 17, of Prosper, Texas, placed first for men in the 5K. Rena Elmer, 41, of Flower Mound, Texas, took first place among the women running the 5K.

Kids’ Races

More than 6,000 kids of all ages took part in the marathon’s annual line-up of family races, including the 100M Dash and the Oncor Kid’s Race. To kick off the Oncor Race, Junior Race Director, King Ibezim sang the National Anthem. Former Mayor Laura Miller made a special appearance to cheer on the kids.

Oncor Kids Race Winners

Josh Hernandez, 17, a senior at Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas placed first for the overall boy’s winner of the race. Also, a senior at Skyline High School, Stefanny Sanchez, 17, took first place for the overall girl’s winner.

Friday Night Lights Mile

The BMW Dallas Marathon Festival hosted its fourth annual Friday Night Lights Mile event yesterday evening, a two-lap Grand Prix style race around Dallas City Hall Plaza. More than 850 participants took part in this fun event that offered eight different heats for seniors, kids, elite runners, walkers, and even those in costume. The elite heat wrapped up the evening, with the winner running the 1-mile course in just under 5 minutes.

Friday Night Lights Mile Winners

Beginner/First Time Miler (Open Age Range)

Steven Gorena, 40, of Carrollton, Texas

Walkers/Costume (Open Age Range)
Steve Jones, 57, of Dallas, Texas

Youth (18 and Under)
Evan Noah, 16, and Evan Martin, 17, both of Rockwall, Texas, tied for first place.

Senior (50 and Older)
Phil Roucoulet, 51, of Simsbury, Connecticut

Masters (Ages 40-49)
Darren Luft, 40, of Mesquite, Texas

Young Masters (30-39)
Evan Baker, 39, of Dallas, Texas

Young Adults (19-29)
Hayden Lightfoot, 28, of Houston, Texas

Elite (Open Age Range; Men: Sub 5-Min/Mile, Women: Sub 6 Min/Mile
CJ Muller, 28, of Grand Rapids, Michigan took first place for the men. Tricia Terry, 32, of Irving, Texas finished first for the women.

The Health and Fitness Expo, which took place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9, saw more than 40,000 visitors.

For full race results, please visit http://dallas.mychiptime.com/. All times are unofficial until results are verified by race officials.

About Dallas White Rock Marathon

The Dallas White Rock Marathon 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 runDallas as support the growth and impact of the runDallas 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 52nd running, the marquee event, with 12 event distances to select from throughout the weekend of events, attracts runners from across the globe and tens 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, the Dallas Marathon has donated more than $4 million to Scottish Rite for Children. For more information, visit rundallas.com.

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