Welcome to The Cowtown®! Thank you for choosing to run one of our great races, or challenging yourself with two. Voted America’s Rave Race in 2020, Cowtown Race Weekend takes place on the last weekend in February of each year and is currently the second largest multi-event race in Texas. …
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Welcome to The Cowtown®! Thank you for choosing to run one of our great races, or challenging yourself with two. Voted America’s Rave Race in 2020, Cowtown Race Weekend takes place on the last weekend in February of each year and is currently the second largest multi-event race in Texas. With distances for everyone, including both the Kids 5K Presented by Academy Sports and Adults 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, and the Ultra Marathon, we welcome runners and walkers with all athletic abilities.
Kick off the Cowtown fun at Will Rogers Memorial Center, the home to the annual Stock Show and Rodeo, in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District. Next, the trail will turn north to the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards, home of the Fort Worth Herd that gives visitors a daily invitation to the cowboys and cattle drives of yesteryear. Heading south, you’ll pass the world-famous Joe T. Garcia’s as you travel down Main Street into the heart of downtown Cowtown. Veer west through Panther City’s thriving Near Southside, and then turn south toward the beautiful campus of the TCU Horned Frogs. Now it’s time to Riff Ram Bah Zoo your way around Bluebonnet Circle and along the Foster Park Trail before heading north as the course passes the famed Hogan’s Alley at the Colonial Country Club. Keep your ears open for the roar of lions from the beloved Fort Worth Zoo and then continue north along the banks of the Trinity River into Trinity Park, the home of Fort Worth families’ outdoor adventures for generations. Finally, we’ll welcome you to the finish line back home at the stunning Will Rogers. You’ve made it!
The Cowtown is a nonprofit organization promoting health and fitness in the community. By running The Cowtown, runners are supporting The C.A.L.F.® (Children’s Activities for Life & Fitness) Program, which provides training and education to students regarding health and nutrition. A grant program is offered for children in need of funding their entries into the Kids 5K. In addition, these children are provided with training tools and quality running shoes to help them achieve their goals. The C.A.L.F. Program helps tens of thousands of North Texas area children lace up and cross countless finish lines including The Cowtown in February each year. The Cowtown has distributed over 42,000 pairs of running shoes and financial grants to children in need over the past twelve years. Your support of this program helps The Cowtown reach more children in need!
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Great atmosphere, great swag, many hills
This was a fun but challenging first marathon! February in North Texas is unpredictable, so be prepared for anything from snow to 80s (which is tragically what we ended up … MORE
This was a fun but challenging first marathon! February in North Texas is unpredictable, so be prepared for anything from snow to 80s (which is tragically what we ended up with this year). It is a hilly course, and I heard quite a bit about the hill at mile 9 being tough but that was actually one of the highlights of the race for me because of the spectators and cheering in that area. The rolling hills later in the race felt much harder. Also, after the half marathon runners turned off around mile 10, the course felt significantly more subdued with fewer spectators. That said, there were cheering sections all along the way and it felt very supportive and encouraging! Swag was great – two shirts and an awesome medal! Highly recommend this race – just train for hills and be ready for anything weather-wise!
A fun and shouldn't miss race
Great logistics, well-organized (including a little worship service before the Sunday morning start), and excellent scenery through Ft. Worth and the Stockyards. Spectators are enthusiastic and this race has a … MORE
Great logistics, well-organized (including a little worship service before the Sunday morning start), and excellent scenery through Ft. Worth and the Stockyards. Spectators are enthusiastic and this race has a solid “Texas” feel to it. And the finisher medal is outstanding.
Love doing this event
Very well put together, have done this race for the past 8yrs. Have ran the 5k and 10k as well and both of those races are great courses. MORE
Very well put together, have done this race for the past 8yrs. Have ran the 5k and 10k as well and both of those races are great courses.
Great race but HORRIBLE post race party
This is a very scenic but very hilly race. Overall great race but don’t expect much if any support when you finish. Why offer a 50k distance if you can … MORE
This is a very scenic but very hilly race. Overall great race but don’t expect much if any support when you finish. Why offer a 50k distance if you can not have any post race food or refreshments when we finish, 2 years in a row? I thought the first year was a fluke but boy was I wrong.
Great Race
Can’t beat how well organized this race is. Tons of crowds and high energy. Second year running and although it was a hot one, I had a great time and … MORE
Can’t beat how well organized this race is. Tons of crowds and high energy. Second year running and although it was a hot one, I had a great time and experience. Make sure you train for hills. For sake of emphasis, make sure you train on hills.
Amazing food at the end
Never been to the expo, always get bibs sent home. 2 shirts per runner! It's a buffet at the end of the race - chocolate milk, noodle soup, chips, fruits, … MORE
Never been to the expo, always get bibs sent home. 2 shirts per runner! It’s a buffet at the end of the race – chocolate milk, noodle soup, chips, fruits, fruit cups, ice cream, biscuit, drinks (water, beer and more). No poncho this year (boo!) lol Yes, it has a lot of rolling hills, esp. one 1/4 mi climb towards the end (the race started with the same downhill). Toughest hill is mile 9. Water stops are great. Running through stockyard is fun.
Really fun race with challenging hills
This was my first half marathon ever and I really enjoyed how many people came to run & support the runners. The scenery was very nice and I enjoyed running … MORE
This was my first half marathon ever and I really enjoyed how many people came to run & support the runners. The scenery was very nice and I enjoyed running through the stockyards. I would absolutely do this race again.
My favorite route in DFW
The route is very hilly, which can be a lot of fun. Just make sure you lean into the downhills so you run faster with less effort. Very fun course. MORE
The route is very hilly, which can be a lot of fun. Just make sure you lean into the downhills so you run faster with less effort. Very fun course.
The best first marathon experience.
The only bad thing I can say about this race was that it was unseasonably hot for February. The good news is, that’s completely outside of the control of the … MORE
The only bad thing I can say about this race was that it was unseasonably hot for February. The good news is, that’s completely outside of the control of the folks putting on the race! From stepping into the expo to the post-race celebration – this was an amazing experience! Ty is was my first marathon and I’m so glad o chose Cowtown because it will hold such a sweet place in my heart forever. The crowd support is the best I have EVER seen. Spectator accessibility was also great, as I was able to see my friends and family on several spots throughout the race. I still find myself getting emotional when I think about how amazing this race and this course was! I will definitely be back! Thank you for putting on such a great race weekend!
The Cowtown is FUN and motivating!
The Cowtown is very organized, and they have so many water/gatorade stations along the route. Everyone is super friendly and helpful and the residents along the neighborhood streets always come … MORE
The Cowtown is very organized, and they have so many water/gatorade stations along the route. Everyone is super friendly and helpful and the residents along the neighborhood streets always come out to cheer you on. The finish line is phenomenal, packed with people along the streets cheering . The medals are always top quality. The only problem I experienced this year was trying to find a parking space. I got there an hour early, but I couldn’t find a place to park until 10 minutes before the race began. So my warmup was running to get to the corral in time! Lol So next year I will do the prepaid parking option.
The Expo is always a highlight after the race to buy running gear and other items. I love running the Cowtown and will do it again.
Cowtown first-timer
I have been wanting to run the Cowtown half for about 5 years and I’m glad I did! This was my first half-marathon and big race. There was great crowd … MORE
I have been wanting to run the Cowtown half for about 5 years and I’m glad I did! This was my first half-marathon and big race. There was great crowd support throughout the race and my friends and family had an easy time watching the race at mile 2.5, 9, 11, and the finish. I trained on mostly flat terrain so the hills throughout were a small challenge. The famed mile 9 hill definitely got me and I had to walk for about .25 miles. What they don’t tell you is there is a small hill right before the big hill so don’t end up like me thinking you’ve conquered it too early. Prior to the race, bathroom lines were about 10 mins long and there was a little bit of traffic getting in. Get there about 45 mins early so you have enough time to park/restroom/stretch. I wish I would’ve known there were dozens more port-a-lets in the actual corral area instead of waiting for the 4-5 ones further outside the start area. Overall great race to see many quintessential spots throughout Fort Worth. I will definitely be running this one again!
Super fun race!
I did the 10k and it was very enjoyable. I walked it with my wife as this was her first time doing an official race and a first time cowtown … MORE
I did the 10k and it was very enjoyable. I walked it with my wife as this was her first time doing an official race and a first time cowtown for both of us. It was run well, no issues with parking or finding our way.
They had a great expo with lots of booths to look at. The aid stations were simply water and Gatorade as expected for a 10k. (As clean as can be) Porta potties at every aid station.
The course itself was not bad, it went through plenty of neighborhoods with shade for when the sun started to come up. Nothing too out of the ordinary but a very enjoyable race overall.
My wife and I will definitely be doing it again next year!
This Race Team is The Best
This is my 2nd year running CowTown 5k/Kids5kwith my two boys (now 7&8y/o) and this year I added the Half Marathon for Sunday - more on that in a moment. … MORE
This is my 2nd year running CowTown 5k/Kids5kwith my two boys (now 7&8y/o) and this year I added the Half Marathon for Sunday – more on that in a moment.
Last year and this year, Julie/Tyler and race team helped us with an abnormal issue/s and met and/or exceeded expectations and myself along with my boys were very thankful.
Yes, the event is awesome, well organized, full of great medals, shirts, bibs, vendors/chachkis, discounts, swag, treats, food, drinks etc… all these things are well done and appreciated.
5k course is about the best you can make it given the location and mass of people – its VERY hilly, quick drops and long inclines… not my personal favorite 🙂 but the experience is great.
*NOTE – if you’re running for time, get your butt to the front – I was the last starter out of all 5k adults by a long shot and had to play frogger with about 1-2k people going for PR… not likely to hit PR here unless you are in front of the first wave 🙂
Unfortunately, can’t comment on the half marathon because I strained my quad later and prevented me from that opportunity, however what I can say is that the race team was accomodative to help me get my entry transfered to someone in need last minute and they didn’t have to go out of their way like they did to share personal number and help facilitate.
I will be back to do what I set out to do in ’24 again. Thank you again and God Bless!
This was a great race! Thanks Ft.Worth
This race was very well organized. the city of Ft.Worth came out to support the race in large numbers. The expo was very nice with a variety of vendors. This … MORE
This race was very well organized. the city of Ft.Worth came out to support the race in large numbers. The expo was very nice with a variety of vendors.
This was one of the most difficult courses that i have run because of all of the hills. The scenery around downtown and the stock yards was great considering i had never been down there.
The swag was not bad at all. I loved all of the shirts and not to mention the whole reason why i signed up…I signed up for the beautiful challenge metal (the cowbell with the long horns). Would i sign up again?….maybe
Will come back
This race is so well organized... the health and wellness expo is always something we look forward to. We get excited as we anticipate our participation on it, and inspired … MORE
This race is so well organized… the health and wellness expo is always something we look forward to. We get excited as we anticipate our participation on it, and inspired to do it again in 2025!
Great Race
The Cowtown is a great event offering race distance for all. This was my 14th year to complete the half marathon. The course has some hills but it also has … MORE
The Cowtown is a great event offering race distance for all. This was my 14th year to complete the half marathon. The course has some hills but it also has great fan support. The swag is always nice. Expo has been down the last few years.
Good but difficult hills not anticipated
Great and challenging course but be very prepared for four to five hills to be completed if you are ready for that intensity in the course, so be ready for … MORE
Great and challenging course but be very prepared for four to five hills to be completed if you are ready for that intensity in the course, so be ready for that heart rate to be up up up and up
Highly Recommend!
Overall, the race was a good size, well organized and gave good swag. The cons were the weather (uncontrollable), the hill we had to climb for the last .5 mile, … MORE
Overall, the race was a good size, well organized and gave good swag. The cons were the weather (uncontrollable), the hill we had to climb for the last .5 mile, and a few slow water stops. That said, the volunteers were super friendly and helpful. The course itself had several rolling hills, the biggest one around mile 9. The reward at the top was shots of fireball. LOL
Still My Favorite Race
I ran my very first half marathon at Cowtown last year on a dare, and I absolutely loved it. I loved it so much that I ran four more half … MORE
I ran my very first half marathon at Cowtown last year on a dare, and I absolutely loved it. I loved it so much that I ran four more half marathons and a marathon over the next year in stunning locations, including Whitefish, Montana; San Diego, California; and at our ‘Fort Worth competitor,’ the Dallas Marathon. I can honestly say, nothing beats Cowtown. There is nothing like running through the stockyards and nothing can make me cry faster than the miliary photos through the dreaded mile 9 hill. The American flags at the top of that hill, held by a crowd of loud, cheering spectators, ensure you never stop running.
We prepaid for VIP parking, and it was a breeze. I participated in the Cowtown Challenge, and the extra medal and shirt were worth every bit of the extra effort. I wanted to run the Ultra this year, but an unplanned surgery derailed my training. I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll be able to check off the Ultra next year. Well done, Cowtown! See you next year, friends.
Definitely run the race
This whole course was amazing. There were a couple hills but nothing that isn’t manageable. The water and fuel stations were great. There were people cheering you on at every … MORE
This whole course was amazing. There were a couple hills but nothing that isn’t manageable. The water and fuel stations were great. There were people cheering you on at every mile. Mile 24/25 on the trinity river there definitely weren’t as many people there. The finish line was full of medics asking if you needed anything. People giving you water also asking. Everyone was so supportive and happy to be there. I would absolutely recommend this race to anyone! And definitely want to run it again