The Dallas Marathon (formerly the Dallas White Rock Marathon) is the oldest marathon in Texas. This year will be the 53rd annual race. This event has grown in size and is currently a top ten marathon in the U.S. and had more than 30,000 participants last year. The Dallas Marathon operates as a non-profit organization with the primary beneficiary being the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. It is funded largely by the race fees, private donors and public companies used for advertising.
Highland Park has been used as part of marathon courses for almost 25 years. This has included portions of the Dallas Marathon, the Rock and Roll Marathon, and other running events. Deputy Chief Rossini has been the primary liaison for the Highland Park Dept. of Public Safety since 2015. We have had a positive working relationship with the Marathon and have facilitated many changes to the course and the events during the marathon.
Marcus Grunewald is the Executive Race Director for the Dallas Marathon, and he has held the position for more than 20 years. He is HPDPS' direct contact for all planning and coordination for the route through Highland Park. He facilitates the equipment, officer's payment, community relations and announcements, and many other duties. He will be present to represent the Dallas Marathon and to answer any questions that the Town Council may have about the marathon and the importance of its relationship with the Town of Highland Park.
Attached is the proposed route for 2024, the After-Action Report for 2023, and the planning memo to the Director of Public Safety from the DPS Marathon coordinator, which details the planning steps for DPS.
There have been no formal complaints made to DPS about the marathon. Most citizen concerns are addressed on the day of the event by off-duty officers being paid by the marathon, such as helping residents with safe routes out of blocked neighborhoods. Many residents have expressed their enjoyment of the marathon and will sit in their yards to support the runners.