BMW Dallas Marathon Weekend kicks off with Health and Fitness Expo

More than 30,000 runners will hit the streets for the BMW Dallas Marathon.

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas was filled with runners who started their BMW Dallas Marathon Weekend with a trip to the Health and Fitness Expo.

"Here's your packet," volunteer and marathon runner Lolita Johnson said as she handed a big packet to a runner. "Ooooh, you're going to be running fast!"

After months of training and mentally preparing, the wait is over. More than 30,000 runners will hit the streets for the BMW Dallas Marathon.

Maria Mills is running her first full marathon this weekend.

"I have been training since July. I feel like the whole weekend, it's finally here. I'm so excited to be running it, and like, just see the hard work pay off, and see what my body can do," Mills said. "I have so much respect for runners who do these marathons over and over, but this will be my first and last one!"

For Mills, a marathon is more than a physical test; it's an emotional one. Mills said she's struggled with her mental health, and running was the right prescription.

"I tried doing all kinds of yoga, meditation, and running was the first time I felt free," Mills said. "So i just started running more and more, and the more I ran, the more the phrase 'I get to' has been on my heart."

Mills said she runs for her mother, daughter, and those who are no longer here to run.

"So I run it for them, and for anybody else who has suicidal thoughts or has attempted suicide," Mills said teary-eyed. "I do it cause I 'get to.'"

Everyone has a different 'why' they run. Johnson's first marathon was 20 years ago. She volunteers on race weekend every year.

"I do it every year cause it's just the energy, but I'm also running. I'm running the full. This is my 20th anniversary," Johnson said. "It's exhilarating to be honest with you! I'm 61 years old, and I love to just keep moving. I want to move till I don't move anymore!"

BMW Dallas Marathon weekend activities kick off Friday night with the inaugural Friday Night Lights Mile, a Grand Prix-style race around Dallas City Hall Plaza. If you want to watch the races, there's a spectator map here. Expect road closures on the courses.