Thousands turned out to watch the 51st annual BMW Dallas Marathon on the final day of a weekend that saw 14,000 runners participate in events at the BMW Dallas Marathon Festival.
The various events took place throughout downtown Dallas and surrounding neighborhoods during a festival weekend from Friday, December 9, through Sunday, December 11.
The men’s full marathon was won by Cameron Beckett of Little Rock, Arkansas, who finished the race in just under two and a half hours — which was nearly five minutes ahead of the next closest runner.
Beckett had a feeling he was going to win during the race.
“Once I hit the half marathon mark, I had gathered that there was a big enough gap that as long as I didn’t have a meltdown or lapse in nutrition, that I would be able to hold that and potentially win,” he told The Dallas Morning News.
The women’s full marathon was won by Megan Taylor, also from the Little Rock, Arkansas area and a member of Beckett’s running club. She finished in about two hours and 45 minutes, the fastest time by 12 minutes.
“I felt like I had a really hard time coming up that hill around mile 20. Thankfully, I didn’t stop,” Taylor told the DMN, “I’m really grateful for making it to the end. The people all along the way were so encouraging and kind. It made me feel like I could keep going.”
It is the second time Beckett and Taylor each won a marathon in which they participated, according to DMN. Both are trying to qualify for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Sunday’s events also included men’s and women’s half marathons, ultra-marathons (or 50Ks) and coed, men’s and women’s five-person and two-person relays.
Carson Vickroy from Tyler won the men’s half marathon, and Dallas’ Mimi Smith won the women’s half marathon.
The Ultra Marathon winners were Jeremy Corbe and Neringa Kauliaite.
Mustang Army Team one took first place in the coed five-person relays. Fleet Feet Coppell won the men’s relay, and Santa Speedy Helper A won the women’s.
The two-person relay champions were Varna2 (coed), Acme Arlington (men), and The Enthusiasts (women).
There was also a 5K and a 10K on Saturday and events for beginners and seniors on Friday.
