At 9 a.m. Sunday morning, the sound of drums and cheering fill the Lochwood neighborhood of Dallas. Cars traveling the the area’s main thoroughfare are told they must find an alternate route. An amused-looking couple walks out of a home on Fernald and asks me what’s going on. I explain that it is the Big D Texas Marathon and they respond, “How nice!” They stand and cheer for the runners.
Many in the neighborhood, understandably, were not so impressed. My parents, who live on Landlock, say no one told them their streets would be closed to traffic for several hours Sunday. I think Dallas saw a good example of making an event as convenient as possible for homeowners and drivers a few weeks ago at the Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 marathon. The White Rock Marathon is a December staple that is publicized through-and-through. At least you know those are coming and can plan around them. This? No one outside of the running networks had a clue. I am a die-hard running fan, but I also hear time and again from readers that running events interrupt their lives (or their Sunday mornings, at least). Watching Sunday’s events unfold, I sympathize.
One thing I can tell you, you won’t see many more long-distance runs in Dallas for several months. It is too dang hot — the 2011 Big D Marathon rivaled the famous Chicago Marathon of 2007, where runners were dropping like flies and one even died. That one was all over national news. This one? Sadly, no one really knew about it. These guys toughed it out sans the hype.
