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!!

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

ok kids registration opens 9am DEC 5th register early for better price :)read more

This is a high energy run with fun and funky lighting all through the course and the music plays…read moreall the way (leave your iPod at home). Has a big after party at the finish line - it's my new favorite night run

Poor management and help with schedule conflicts…read more.. I tried my best to come to a resolution with Dan Jones on a race that is 5 months away. But to no avail. I'm sure it's not his call, just unfortunate how they treat their athlete that are just getting into the sport. Another organization that is more focus on keeping 85 dollars and not providing a good service.

Dallas Athletes Racing hosts the BEST, most exciting, and biggest triathlon events in the north…read moreTexas area. The events are held in nice places such the Keller Natatorium or Lake Ray Roberts inside the state park facilities. They add extra touches to make the events more memorable and keeping with whatever the theme for that particular race may be. For example, at the St. Patrick's Triathlon, you'll find a gentleman in a kilt playing the bagpipes throughout the entire race. They provide the courses with a great deal of support, both in safety as well as cheering. The courses are well marked. Transition areas are nicely laid out. Timing companies, announcers, finish line food, aid stations, etc....all are done very well. I never question the quality of an event when I see the Dallas Athletes Racing name attached to it. *This review is aimed at the actual events conducted through DAR, not at their coaching or team activities. Unfortunately, I do not live near enough to the club to participate in their weekly activities.

I'm always looking for different ways to enjoy the weekend so when I was invited to Dallas Raceway…read moreI was excited to see tricked out cars go VROOM. We arrived at 10 p.m. on a Saturday night and things were still in full effect. I was surprised at the amount of women and children that were there and the variety of cars that were being raced (station wagons, pickup trucks and muscle cars). This was my first time seeing a live race and I wasn't disappointed. The drivers and car owners are really passionate about their cars and the competition. Sitting in the bleachers, the experience felt like a sporting event. I was told that the races start early in the morning and last until past midnight and some race days include live music performances. They typically charge an entrance fee per vehicle but because we arrived late in the evening they were no longer charging. There are concession stands that serve hotdogs, chips and sodas. It seems like a great place for family fun or an exciting date night. Recommendation: It's really loud so take your earplugs.

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.

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.

We attended the Christmas light show during the evening and the entrance fee was $40 in total for…read moreboth of us. WOAH... pretty steep when the other places around here are free (but I guess they gotta pay for that shuttle bus across the street) .... For two people no kids it took us about 30-40 minutes to see everything. It was pretty meh and im being generous on that "meh", the highlight honestly was seeing baby Jesus serving LOL If you have kids maybe it would have been better. The price is insane tho to walk in and still have to pay for Santa pictures, and food and drinks. Like not even 1 complimentary ticket for 1 food or drink? Deerfield heights and vitruvian park are free (vitruvian lights have $15 parking fee on special event nights). It's also a farm so here are my 2 cents on how I think it should be for a way better experience. $10 entrance fee for all ages, charge for food and drinks probably about 50-70% higher and then charge an amount for a cup of feed to feed the chickens, sheep, goats and other animals they have. Also they have a store that sells items maybe they should have that open during the evening/night to make more revenue not sure why that's closed during their probably busiest season I'd like to check this place out during the day because it seems like it has a lot of heritage and history and to hopefully change my mind. I want to like it.

Lots of cute photo opportunities. Entertaining performance by high schoolers. The farm smell is…read morepresent but you can look past that. Fire pits for S'mores. We could make this an annual tradition.

Do the organizers know anything about races? Anything at all!…read more I get that smaller races with fewer participants cannot have fancy free stuff and tons of goodies. But the least they could do was calculate the distance correctly. Most people who ran a full marathon said their watches gave them 27.4 miles instead of 26.2. That's just ridiculous. Even pace groups lead by experienced runners were finishing later than their target times. Also, the quality of the tech shirts provided to participants was questionable. It looked like it had been made from the cheapest material possible. Finishers got a beer mug at the end and that was probably the only positive thing about this experience. Neither my friends nor I will ever run this 'race' again.

I ran in Mellew's Big D marathon on 4/14/2013. i had several issues with the race. 1) It was the…read moreincorrect distance. Really? You are a marathon company and can't get the distance right? 2) The hotel that Mellew suggested shut down the pool and hot tub the day if the race and when we tried to check in, at 3 pm, our rooms weren't ready yet. Nice corporate partnership. 3) The parking plan and map that Mellew company provided for drop off the morning of the race wasn't even close to accurate. All but one gate was closed. I emailed Mellew's so called customer service and all I got were Mellew company's excuses for the issues. I asked what their course of action was to rectify the situation. It was clear the Mellew company were placing the blame on everyone else and refusing to represent THEIR event with any integrity or morality. Mellew, as the company in charge and primary entity, IS RESPONSIBLE for the service and facilities of their partner hotels. Does the Mellew company make a regular practice of not being aware of the hotel conditions and available amenities on race weekend with their partner hotels? Corporate partnerships most certainly have elements of control from both parties. Mellew, as the company in charge and primary entity, IS RESPONSIBLE for the information and execution of the parking plan and gate staff. If the gate availability is determined by the Fair Park staff, why does the Mellew company publish and disseminate false information regarding directions and logistics for their paying customers? Does the Mellew company make it a regular practice to make parking arrangements, maps, give directions and suggest routes without confirming availability and accuracy with the site company? Mellew, as the company in charge and primary entity, IS RESPONSIBLE for making sure that the marathon is an actual marathon.....not some random distance. The Big D marathon is supposed to be a Boston qualifier. What a joke! I see that they sponsor several other events across Texas. I will NEVER, I repeat NEVER, waste my time, money and effort on a Mellew race EVER again. Neither should you.

It was amazing. My favorite was the avocado one where you could smash some avocados and make…read moreGuacamole, amazing place. I recommend it.

It really feels like checking into a whole little city which is such a neat and creative concept…read morefor kids! I haven't seen anything quite like it. Everything is so well thought out: there are eateries where kids can make their own pizza or learn how yogurt is made (and then enjoy it!), a gym, pest control station, bank, fire station, theatre, news set, Spotify recording studio, flight simulator, the list truly goes on. How cute is it to "check in" at an airport security line? I absolutely loved that concept as it was both a clever and immersive touch! However I'd like to think it was meant to function as a real security checkpoint as well, but I did notice that even when alarms went off, people weren't actually checked. Entering a place full of kids, that was a bit concerning. It's a great idea, but I hope they take that extra step to ensure it's not just for show and that safety is truly prioritized. I also appreciated that it wasn't overly crowded during our visit, which made the experience much more enjoyable. From chatting with others, it sounds like that's not always the case, and I can imagine it would feel overwhelming if it were packed. That said, I do wish more of the "establishments" and activities had been open. It seemed extremely short-staffed, and quite a few areas were closed or without staff to guide the kids. I would've loved to see the theatre in use, the taco stands open, and the upstairs space available -all of those plus many others were closed during our visit. For the activities that were open, the staff seemed stretched thin and outnumbered by the children. There really needs to be a better system for timing and scheduling. Maybe a sign-up or reservation system for each activity would help -- running from line to line only to be told it's full (or canceled) gets frustrating. I think that's what the Fast Passes were meant for, but even then, breaking up groups that had already been waiting together felt inconvenient. Allowing everyone to reserve activity times would make for a smoother, more enjoyable experience for guests and staff alike. The wristbands were a great idea, definitely appreciated and necessary. They keep parents and kids honest about ages and ensure kids only join age-appropriate activities. They also track their "earnings" and likely serve as a security measure too, which I loved. However, with the short staffing, there needs to be a better process for scanning them in and out of each area. Waiting for scans, especially on the way out, delayed us from getting to our next scheduled activity several times. The adults only IKEA inspired lounge was a nice touch for those with slightly older children who can run around more independently. For the age group I was with, and given how unorganized the staff and session timings were, there was no way we could've left their side but I can definitely see that space being a great perk for other adults. This is what I could understand adults being charged for, outside of being able to simply get away with it as you can't and wouldn't send your children in unattended, I don't understand adult entrance fees. Other than it being a deterrent for those who do not have children to enter with. It would also be nice for maybe an informative video before entering to make kids aware of "earning" and what deducts from their total points, what's available to do, etc. almost like a "briefing before heading into the city" It's a fun and clever concept overall, but I think a few operational, staffing, and security improvements could make it truly exceptional. No photos to post as they include children. I didn't think to take photos of all of the empty, non operating areas. But again, it's truly its own little city with a variety of places.