Local runner Steven Fahy captured an emotional victory Sunday in his hometown race, winning the men’s marathon at the 54th BMW Dallas Marathon with a time of 2 hours and 23 minutes. The 29-year-old Dallas resident called the win on familiar streets particularly meaningful.
“Not only is this extra special because it’s my hometown marathon, but it’s also where I train every day, and it’s something I get to share with a lot of my training partners,” Fahy said after crossing the finish line. “It’s just kind of extra sentimental for me.”
The signature Dallas running event drew more than 19,000 participants from all 50 states and over 30 countries, according to race officials. Beyond the full marathon, the weekend featured half-marathon, ultra-marathon, 10K, and 5K competitions across multiple days.
Record-setting performances
On the women’s side, 21-year-old Alauna Carstens of Olympia, Washington, took top honors in the marathon with a time of 2 hours and 53 minutes. But perhaps the most impressive performance came in the women’s half-marathon, where 30-year-old Olympian Dakotah Popehn shattered the course record, finishing in 1 hour and 12 minutes.
Dallas resident Sergio Mena finally achieved his long-sought goal in the men’s half-marathon, crossing the finish line in 1 hour and 6 minutes. “I’ve been trying to win this race for the past four years,” Mena noted after his victory, the culmination of a persistent campaign to claim the title.
The ultramarathon division saw Jean Otero, 35, of Dallas win the men’s 50K in an impressive debut at the distance, finishing in 3 hours and 12 minutes. Addison Walling claimed the women’s 50K crown with a time of 3 hours and 56 minutes.
Community celebration
What makes the BMW Dallas Marathon more than just another race? For starters, it’s evolved into a multi-day festival that extends well beyond the Sunday main event. The two-day Health and Fitness Expo attracted more than 50,000 visitors, while over 6,000 children participated in the Kids 100M Dash and Oncor Kids Race.
The Friday Night Lights Mile at Dallas City Hall Plaza drew nearly 1,000 runners competing across various categories, with standouts including Rocky Cortez in the Beginner men’s division and Krystal Quiroga taking the Open Elite women’s title.
Saturday’s shorter distance events saw Hassan Eissa, 36, of Euless win the men’s 10K, while Jasmin Muhammad-Graham, 23, of Fort Worth claimed the women’s 10K victory. The 5K winners showcased young talent, with 15-year-old Marc Genis of Colleyville and 17-year-old Maya Shariff of Plano taking top honors in their respective divisions.
Jason Schuchard, president of the BMW Dallas Marathon, expressed satisfaction with this year’s turnout. “This year’s turnout truly showcased the spirit of our running community,” he commented, highlighting the event’s continued growth and community support.
As thousands of runners nursed sore legs Monday morning, many were already thinking about next year’s race — the 55th edition of what has become a December tradition in the heart of Dallas.
