This is one of my favorite marathons. The race production is amazing, so well organized. I have had a consistently good experience two years in a row. Corrals are easy … MORE
This is one of my favorite marathons. The race production is amazing, so well organized. I have had a consistently good experience two years in a row. Corrals are easy to navigate, the course takes you through some interesting areas including the Stockyards, and the post race food and drink is worth the 26.2 miles.
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Returning Runner
This is one of my favorite marathons. The race production is amazing, so well organized. I have had a consistently good experience two years in a row. Corrals are easy … MORE
This is one of my favorite marathons. The race production is amazing, so well organized. I have had a consistently good experience two years in a row. Corrals are easy to navigate, the course takes you through some interesting areas including the Stockyards, and the post race food and drink is worth the 26.2 miles.
Cowtown 5k
Great race along the Trinity Park and through Botanical Gardens. After finish line could use some more shaded areas outside of barns where people gather and hang out after the … MORE
Great race along the Trinity Park and through Botanical Gardens. After finish line could use some more shaded areas outside of barns where people gather and hang out after the race. Medal and shirts are great, and so is after-race nutrition.
Great Race Atmosphere
4th leg of marathon relay, aid stations that were set up in TCU District was great, aid stations set up by Cowtown personnel had already started packing up before I … MORE
4th leg of marathon relay, aid stations that were set up in TCU District was great, aid stations set up by Cowtown personnel had already started packing up before I started. Course was safe. Swag and medal are keepers!
Fun Race
Great support, spaced out water stations, different terrains, beautiful course through Downtown Fort Worth. Can't wait to continue to run this race with friends and the City of Fort Worth MORE
Great support, spaced out water stations, different terrains, beautiful course through Downtown Fort Worth. Can’t wait to continue to run this race with friends and the City of Fort Worth
First Marathon didn't go as planned
Great race!!! Swag is unique and plentiful. I was in a lot of pain when I crossed the finish line, and there was someone there who helped to walk me … MORE
Great race!!! Swag is unique and plentiful. I was in a lot of pain when I crossed the finish line, and there was someone there who helped to walk me in after I crossed and made sure I was ok.
A great hometown race!
If you are looking for a great half marathon, this is one of the best races I have ever run. Cowtown is a course that provides you with a mostly … MORE
If you are looking for a great half marathon, this is one of the best races I have ever run. Cowtown is a course that provides you with a mostly flat course until Mile 9, as you have a challenging hill going into the downtown area. Cowtown is a race that provides great swag (the medal is awesome and the race t-shirt and finisher shirt is great quality) and good course support.
I have run this race for over four years. Each year never fails to amaze me. I would strongly recommend that you train on a moderately hilly course to prepare you for the hills at Mile 9 and 11.
1/2 marathon 2 yrs in a row, its a blast
great swag, this year the medal was a cowboy hat. next year will be a boot! lots of water stations. people handing out sips of orange juice, pickle juice , … MORE
great swag, this year the medal was a cowboy hat. next year will be a boot! lots of water stations. people handing out sips of orange juice, pickle juice , mimosa from their front yards. you get to run down the middle of the stockyards, (be careful, the bricks are uneven) ,and up north main street to the courthouse, and Elvis is at mile number 3.
This race checks all the boxes
The course was scenic. Loved running through the stockyards . Sign up easy Packet pickup was a breeze Had a chip issue they fixed on the spot Swag was awesome MORE
The course was scenic. Loved running through the stockyards .
Sign up easy
Packet pickup was a breeze
Had a chip issue they fixed on the spot
Swag was awesome
Happy Warm Friendly Family Scenic
You will feel so at home if you are from out of town. What great atmosphere before during and after. Great to stay post race! You will love the Fort … MORE
You will feel so at home if you are from out of town. What great atmosphere before during and after.
Great to stay post race! You will love the Fort Worth heart!
Love the Cowtown Marathon!
Great race all the way around. Has been going on for over 40 years. I make sure to register for half marathon every year. Don't want to miss the energy … MORE
Great race all the way around. Has been going on for over 40 years. I make sure to register for half marathon every year. Don’t want to miss the energy and atmosphere!! I ran the Cowtown in 2018 for a best time of 1 hour and 53 minutes and 10 seconds. No regrets for this run as I trained hard for it and it showed.
Fun, well-organized large city race
The expo has no signage whatsoever outside, and it's a large complex with multiple buildings, so you have to know where you're going. Goodie bag is pretty much what you'd … MORE
The expo has no signage whatsoever outside, and it’s a large complex with multiple buildings, so you have to know where you’re going.
Goodie bag is pretty much what you’d expect from a race of this size.
The corral system works reasonably well, based entirely on honor code. Make sure you fill out an accurate predicted finish time when you register!
The course is OK, overall. The highlight is definitely the historic stockyard district, followed by the last 6 miles or so, which are mostly in city parks. The course goes right past TCU, but you don’t even notice; they should do a better job showcasing the campus.
Overall, it’s a well-run race, and a noticeable effort is made to make it a fun, enjoyable experience for everyone.
would do again
I did the Cowtown challenge and that it was. but the outstanding support along the way made it a little easier. the water stops, 1st aid, police, and "cheerleaders" all … MORE
I did the Cowtown challenge and that it was. but the outstanding support along the way made it a little easier. the water stops, 1st aid, police, and “cheerleaders” all made it worth it. I loved seeing and meeting runners from EVERYWHERE! the corrals were very well organized. the finishers shoot was smooth and easy.
simply amazing
I have not done Cowtown since I was a kid, it has changed a lot but in a good way. I had a blast. cant wait for next year. very … MORE
I have not done Cowtown since I was a kid, it has changed a lot but in a good way. I had a blast. cant wait for next year. very well organized, flowed great! I love that they had more composting and recycling bins than trash cans. food at the end was spot on.
Challenging but worth it!
I was told that there would be hills so I trained for some and while the hills were challenging none were too overwhelming. As someone once said “If it doesn’t … MORE
I was told that there would be hills so I trained for some and while the hills were challenging none were too overwhelming.
As someone once said “If it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you”!
Now that I’ve run the course I know what to expect for next year!
I was challenged!
This is a great course, feel, and community! My goal was to run the entire half without walking. Everyone was super encouraging and helpful along the way. The emails leading … MORE
This is a great course, feel, and community! My goal was to run the entire half without walking. Everyone was super encouraging and helpful along the way. The emails leading up to the race were very informative. I will be back!
Great Race
Music stations along the run are pretty awesome. Course is fairly flat with a few large hills. Only complaint was the parking situation. Parking was not organized and there was … MORE
Music stations along the run are pretty awesome. Course is fairly flat with a few large hills. Only complaint was the parking situation. Parking was not organized and there was very little direction on best routes to get to the race and parking information.
My hands-down favorite race
the thought process and planning is incredible.. lots of people gathered in one location. I would sum it up as extremely organized chaos! I love this race and will continue … MORE
the thought process and planning is incredible.. lots of people gathered in one location. I would sum it up as extremely organized chaos! I love this race and will continue being a part of it.
My Favorite Course
I love this course for a number of reasons: * It's not advertised as an 'easy' course. No course is easy, or everyone would do it! * Fort Worth is … MORE
I love this course for a number of reasons:
* It’s not advertised as an ‘easy’ course. No course is easy, or everyone would do it!
* Fort Worth is one of the greatest towns in the country. This course gives you a look at the best parts of town.
* The volunteers are top notch, friendly and cheer you on
* Water stops are perfectly set up. The only thing I would change is potentially having water/gatorade on both sides of the street to avoid crowded patches where you can’t get by from people stopping.
* Mayor Betsy Price’s appearance at every race and her priority of keeping Fort Worth FIT!
Awesome Race, Great staff & environment
The race is great, be prepared for the weather, its Texas so the weather can change at any moment but the staff is always really helpful and ensures that you … MORE
The race is great, be prepared for the weather, its Texas so the weather can change at any moment but the staff is always really helpful and ensures that you are safe. If you are doing the ultra prepare mentally for those last 6 miles because you are running solo
Great Weekend In Cowtown!
I ran the Cowtown for the first time in 2020, and I'll be back! Here's a short review on the strengths and (few) weaknesses. Expo The expo was at the … MORE
I ran the Cowtown for the first time in 2020, and I’ll be back! Here’s a short review on the strengths and (few) weaknesses.
Expo
The expo was at the Amon Carter center, which is a large multi-purpose campus near downtown with ample parking. This was a really well done expo! Lots of vendors but not pushy. Efficient bib pickup. You could get in and out quickly if you wanted, or linger and shop like I did, and either way it was an easy experience.
Course
I ran the Cowtown Challenge, so I ran the 10K and the Half Marathon. The 10K course was pleasant…we went through neighborhoods then ran most of the race along a greenbelt. It was crowded but I didn’t feel jostled. The Half started out similarly…we ran through neighborhoods and wound our way through the city. There were a few bands and Elvis (hi, King!) along the route. I always like that. Around mile 6, we ran through the historic Stockyards. That was a fun and cool experience and gave us a nice mid-point distraction. After that point, we ran toward downtown in a seemingly never-ending uphill…wow was that rough! Eventually we worked our way through downtown Fort Worth, said goodbye to the full marathoners and took a right on Lancaster, then worked our way back to the finish. Good course, lots of variety.
The start and finish lines were the same for the 10K and the half. I liked it because I knew what to expect for the half.
Race Production
The Cowtown really outshined similar races in the organization and production of the event. Everything started on-time, as advertised, and in a logical and runner-friendly manner. The corrals were well spaced and not cramped, which I appreciated. The post-finish food, water, and other amenities also impressed me…they were spaced out well and ample. Perfect for spectators and well wishers. Thanks, Cowtown!
Swag
Cowtown’s swag is THE BEST! I did the challenge so I ended up with three shirts, a 1/4 pullover, and three medals! The shirts are well made and perfect for practice running…I even wear mine to OrangeTheory and get compliments on the material. They provided a really impressive value there.
Pre/Post Race Communications
The Cowtown also excelled in pre and post-race communications. We got timely emails on training, parking, charitable opportunities, and updates on the weather (it was warm on Sunday for the marathon and half-marathon). The info was correct and well presented. This reduces stress and allows us all to be efficient in our decision making.
Final Thoughts
The Cowtown was spectacular and I will be back. Other races could learn a lot from how organized and thoughtful this was. I will be back next year!