It was great parking can be difficult due to the direction the event supplies. They say to take an…read moreexit that is closed. Last year the events Expo was better than this year's but still nice. I definitely love their jackets this year it was classic. Really enjoyed the DJ

This is one of my favorite 5Ks and it has become an annual run that I do with a friend…read more This run is well organized and is the case with most runs, the earlier you sign up the lower the registration fee. This race has some of the best swag each year which usually consists of a light-weight jacket which is perfect for 'winter' in the Dallas area. As for packet pickup, it is usually the Thursday and Friday before that Saturday morning race day. It is always in the same location at Fair Park and upon arrival, prepare to pay $10 to park. While this might seem a bit expense since the packet pickup only takes 15 minutes or so, it goes towards reducing the need for paying a parking fee on race day. One can actually stay longer that ~15 minutes as there are quite a few vendors in the packet pickup area. My issue with the vendors is most are setup to do a 'hard-sale' on their product which is never fun. Products tend to include windows for the house, electric companies, girl scout cookies along with a few health/fitness products. Ultimately, I'd like to see them have more products associated with health/fitness and fewer of the unrelated products. That said, the sponsorship helps keep costs down for the runners so we get what we get. In addition to the in-person packet pickup, the alternative is to have your packet and swag mailed which costs $25. On the morning of the run, entrance into the parking lots can move a little slow but they do a great job of keeping things moving to ensure people make it into Fair Park for the run. That said, be sure to arrive early as the parking lots are located ~1 mile from the actual start line for the run. While it's a bit of an inconvenience, it makes for an opportunity to warm up the body before starting the run. In addition to driving to the race, DART is always an option and the Fair Park station is much closer to the start line than the parking lot. The Dallas run is always in February, which makes for cooler temps on the day of the run. That said, once the run starts you will quickly warm up and completely forget about the cooler temp. The route of the run is not the greatest but it has improved over the years. Having participated in this run for many years, it's quite interesting to see the changes that are taking place in this area. From road improvements to fewer homeless camps to new businesses along the route, it's good to see that the city of Dallas is investing in this community. Once you cross the finish line and pick up your medal, head to the main area where you can turn in your ticket for a nice chocolatey treat. This treat includes a cup of hot chocolate, chocolate fondue, a banana and other treats for dipping. It always makes for a nice reward at the end of run in the cooler temps. Overall, this is a fun run and is one I will continue to participate in. NOTE: the Hot Chocolate Run Series is held in 16 other cities throughout the year and they also offer a virtual option. Go to their website (https://hotchocolate15k.com/cities/) to find a nearby location along with the dates, etc.

We love the races! They have converted and uncovered parking. Just around $12 per person to get in…read more They have a food truck. You can take your own alcohol and food and I've seen people take your dogs. You can also take your children.

Fun! Easy place to get to & had fun coming here, they do have food stands and restrooms also.read more

Kudos to the Competitor Group for another well-organized event. As a Tour Pass Unlimited member, I…read moredecided to make Dallas one of my stops this year. I flew in on Friday and headed to the convention center for the expo. Packet pickup on Friday was a breeze (it was on Saturday, too, when I returned with my running partner, but more crowded). This expo seemed smaller than some of the others and some of my fave vendors were absent (Sparkly Soul, ProCompression, Nuun), but plenty of local vendors, which is great for those who live in North Texas. 5K On Saturday, I participated in the inaugural 5K, which was organized in Fair Park. 2 of the 3 miles were through the park, but one mile was on an out and back on a road leading to one of the entrances (not so interesting). Even with this short distance, there was a water stop, which is nice. Finish line was well-staffed with volunteers handing out medals, bananas, water, etc. A live band was playing at the end, too. Corrals were self-seeded based on estimated pace (6/7/8/9/10 minute miles).Compared to other 5Ks, RNR definitely offers more amenities. Half Marathon Sunday was part two for those of us doing the remix challenge (running the Saturday and Sunday events). For the longer events, RNR seeds corrals based on estimated finish time, though they are not enforced. This was obvious over the first few miles when we encountered plenty of walkers (which for people with my corral would not involve much walking). 2015 brought a new course, but since I'd never run this one before, I can't compare. It was continuously hilly, and heavily on concrete streets (which I really felt later in the race), many of which were in poor condition, which meant I spent a lot of the race looking down to avoid tripping hazards. For a RNR event, this course seemed to be light on the entertainment. There were a handful of bands, which were really good, but then long stretches with no music and a few spots where there were speakers hooked up to a sound system. Kudos to the volunteers along the course and at the finish line. You are so appreciated!! As far as scenery, I loved running over the new bridge and near the turtle creek park. We finished at the American Airlines Center. Crowd support was great when we came across it, but again, long stretches without. Not my favorite event, but always well organized by the Competitor Group.

This was my 5th year running this race. The series has races all over the world and this is one…read morestop of many. I will be running RnR San Diego in June and totally looking forward to it! It's a great way to see the city. This race is always very organized with bag/gear check, and the volunteers and spectators are always awesome. The expo where you pick up your race packet was stocked with swag and goodies. I love getting my drawstring bag every year as well as the dri fit shirt. The medal was great this year too! It's a pricey race but you do get a bang for your buck so it's worth it. My only issue with the shirts would be that they would make them more gender specific. Other than that I very much enjoy this race and will definitely be back next year! Up next San Diego!!

Y'all. The State Fair of Texas is a MUST DO. It's the biggest fair in the country, and I'm…read moreconvinced it was designed by foodies, for foodies, with zero regard for anyone's waistband. Things that should not be fried are fried. And I'm not mad about it. My #1 tip: treat this like a mission, not a stroll. Set your group up for a food tour and plan it out ahead of time. Study the menu, check out the Big Tex Choice Award winners (the fair's own food awards), and map out the attractions along the way. Wander in without a plan and you'll end up full by 2pm with nothing to show for it but regret and a turkey leg. Don't forget to swing by Big Tex and Neon Tex for your photo op!! It's basically the law. If you didn't get a pic with Tex, were you even there? Getting there: Uber or rideshare, hands down. Pickup and drop-off are super easy, and you skip the parking circus entirely. Your feet will thank you, and so will your sanity. Honestly, this fair has it down to a science. They're ready for the crowds, everyone is super friendly and helpful, there are plenty of ticket machines so you're not stuck in line while your corny dog dreams fade, and there are food choices for literally everyone. Wear stretchy pants. Bring friends. Share everything (so you can try more). Also, get ready to WALK!! This place is huge, and you'll be racking up steps all day. Think of it as a built-in workout plan: every lap around the fairgrounds burns off one fried Oreo, which means you've earned the next one. That's just science. Wear comfy shoes, because cute sandals will betray you by noon. 10/10

I'm not gonna lie--the State Fair feels like it's pricing out the average family. I've been going…read moresince I was a kid (back when schools gave out free tickets), and going back recently, the midway feels smaller but you're paying the same--if not more--for fewer rides. The food is still the main draw, but it adds up fast. Most things are $12-$20 (and you have to use coupons), so your money goes quick. Go with friends and split everything if you actually want to try stuff. If you're coming for rides, you'll be disappointed. It's better to go on a day with a concert or the rodeo so it feels more worth it. Parking is ass and expensive. Take the train--it drops you right in front and saves you the headache.

We took our mother here on opening night for her birthday celebration. The parking wasn't terrible…read morebut the entry booth/metal detector was chaotic to say the least. Nearly every person set the metal detectors off. But they did nothing to check anyone. The maze was fun. But apparently the passports are only for VIP ticket holders so my niblings felt left out. The lights are very well done and pretty The drink stations are understaffed. The poor guy making drinks was slammed. There aren't trash cans to dispose of the cups. So people stuff their trash in every corner. The biggest gripe is the lack of bathrooms and emergency exits. When your little nephew needs to go to the bathroom and you're in the middle of the maze, you're screwed. There should be easy exits and bathroom access. It was nearly a mile walk to the building with the bathrooms. Additionally there should be markers or identifiers to find people. It was like Marco polo in there. Also the big pieces should have assistants waiting to help with queues. People are jerks and skip others. Would I recommend it? Maybe? But not if you have older or younger family members.

This was a magical place. Loved the Christmas light display. It was a fun experience. Loved their…read moredrinks as well. They came in cute bulb shaped bottles with led lights at the bottom. There were a lot of food stalls around. We tried the food from Mexican food trucks, and it was amazing.

PR or ER was not the motto for this one. Fast finishing is not my speciality on this distance…read more I've been extremely sedentary the past 7 months (I don't even know who I am anymore) and have had a few injuries including multiple plantar plate tears in my left foot, but there was no way I wasn't going to run the Dallas marathon since I'm here. That was until we were headed to the start line and it was beyond freezing. Literally. Real Feel less than 20 degrees. Hell to the No No, this is not optimal for me. I told my bff I just can't do it today, there's no way I'm going to pull this one out of my a** in these conditions. I bundled up in a very serious way (never had so much on for a marathon, it's a shocker I could even move in this many layers) and imagined I'd strip this off before the start but then decided there's just no way I can manage this distance in this temp. He later told me, the only reason I ran this marathon and ended up getting out of the car (after saying drive me there, but I'm not getting out of this car) was because I had to use the restroom. Facts. I ran the marathon but he deserves the medal for braving the temps he did to provide support for me. This marathon can basically be summed up as the Jack and Coke run for me, although it was never Jack - I did stop at 3 different miles for some serious heavy pour whiskey shots to warm up and drown whatever pain I imagined I'd be in store for. I'd briefly studied the course/elevation chart the evening prior and knew this course would probably feel ok, pancake flat can really take a toll on me where rolling hills help switch up the muscle groups which I feel is always better for your body. I was frozen solid the entire race, each time I stopped to meet bestie at our designated miles 10, 18 and 23 or use the restroom- I'd quickly remove a glove and my hand would just burn from the cold. I couldn't slip my ear warmer away from my ears even for a moment and I legit had my thickest hoodie on with the hood tied up and over my ear warmer and hat most of the race. I love me some cloud cover but I was out here praying for some sunshine, none until the finish - go figure! All in all this marathon is extremely well executed. Registration, Expo, Start Line, Finish, Course Support, Spectators, you name it - it's a job well done in every aspect. The course is great as an out and back. The rolling hills are gradual enough to provide the fluctuation your body needs. I cursed the bridges around the lake, they were causing serious vertigo on a body that was on the brink of hypothermia. It took a moment to realize they were actually shaking and I wasn't on the verge of a seizure. The spectators were strong, it never felt deserted. I will say Texas loves their alcohol, I've never seen so many bars and shots set up. The entire race was one big bar. I'm very thankful for the little snackies that were out. I had a mini donut hole and an orange slice here and there. My go to marathon fuel remains the same, I always pack cheez its, Coca Cola has been brought into the rotation the past couple of years (I dont consume soda and had it on a course once and it was life changing), and a little sweet treat (cookies or gummy bears). I rarely if ever can stomach brekke prior so it's usually a few cheez its, a bite or two of a sweet treat (cookies), a sip or two of coke, a few Advil for shits and giggles - it's preventative folks! a pack of Bloks, sips of Gatorade at the stations, smart water and whatever else sparks my interest along the course. This time lots of whiskey! I will go out on a limb and say this course is probably a good one for a PR if you actually train for the race. Congrats to all the finishers and a huge shout out to the exceptional volunteers and spectators who were out here doing gods work in these below freezing temps, ya'll are the real MVPs.

Super organized race. Only thing I can complain about is the lack of pre-race restrooms. There were…read morethousands of people there and about 10 porta-potties available near the start. Other than that, this was a beautiful course and I would do it again.

Easy-peasy! I first…read morewalked up to the gates of the state fait and the lines were ridiculous and I was not excited. That is until an officer walked along the lines asking if people had ticket in will-call and stated we were welcome to come on up to the front of the line if we did. Upon getting to the front of the line, in a shack next to the regular ticket booth, was a Will-Call ticket booth. It was one of those moments when you are like, :Could it be THIS easy?"...Guess what, it really was!!!

Always a great time every year. The beer pours are generous and the food trucks are good. Easy to…read moreget to if you take the Dart Train so you don't have to pay for parking. Been coming for years and never had a bad experience.

2019 Yelp 120 Challenge - #42…read more What a great way to spend a birthday! This year I spent my birthday sampling all the local Dallas beers and meeting new people. I was happy to see Deep Ellum brewery, Community Brewery, Whiterock Brewery, Tupps, and a few others. It was nice to meet the brew masters and learn a little history about each. This is a great events that reminds me of the GABF in Denver. If you haven't been then, I highly suggest you check it out. I never got the chance to try any of the food at the food truck because it was so cold outside and I didn't want to freeze while waiting for my food. I love that they offered free arcade games, however; I had a hard time beating them. They also offered different Uber codes for discounted rides for safe travels to and from the festival.