Welcome to The Cowtown®! The Cowtown Marathon has a proud 48-year history that began in 1979 with two race events, the 10K and Full Marathon. In 1998, the event grew to include a 5K, which quickly became a favorite with over 5,000 participants in its inaugural year. By 2003, the …
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Welcome to The Cowtown®! The Cowtown Marathon has a proud 48-year history that began in 1979 with two race events, the 10K and Full Marathon. In 1998, the event grew to include a 5K, which quickly became a favorite with over 5,000 participants in its inaugural year. By 2003, the Kids 5K was introduced, appealing to families and children, followed by the addition of the Half Marathon in 2005. The final race distance, the Ultra Marathon, was added in 2008, marking a major milestone of 30 years of Cowtown.
As the largest multi-event race in North Texas, we’ve experienced record-breaking registration numbers, but we never forget that our runners have played a key role in our success. In 2009, we launched The C.A.L.F. (Children’s Activities for Life and Fitness) Program, focused on promoting health and fitness in local communities. This initiative, which spans 16 school districts and serves about 5,000 students each year, provides grants for brand-new running shoes to low-income children and offers discounted race entries for youth participants. In 2019, the program celebrated its 10th anniversary, and to date, Cowtown has donated over 65,000 pairs of shoes and helped thousands of students cross their first 5K finish line.
See All of Fort Worth from Start to Finish
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!
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Botanical Gardens- need I say more
Organization insane making it a safe race with plenty of parking and post race eateries. Big and then smaller rolling hills made it a worthy 5k. But weather great and … MORE
Organization insane making it a safe race with plenty of parking and post race eateries. Big and then smaller rolling hills made it a worthy 5k. But weather great and fun times with the kiddos made it truly worth it!!!
Great Swag-- Run Ft Worth Stockyards
I'm not sure I've ever received so much food at the finish line. Within moments of finishing, I had a banana, a fruit bar, a box of couscous, a chocolate … MORE
I’m not sure I’ve ever received so much food at the finish line. Within moments of finishing, I had a banana, a fruit bar, a box of couscous, a chocolate milk, a drinkable yogurt, and a coconut water. I skipped the beer line and the energy drink line. They also give you a zip-up jacket that is made out of the meshy material that reusable grocery bags are made of, instead of a foil blanket. I’ve seen these jackets as a throwaway jacket for other races. They also gave us a race shirt and a finisher shirt. The metals were a cowboy-hat-shaped bell.
The course has some minor hills on the front half and some pretty intimidating hills later in the course. Mile 9 is uphill and is the mile of remembrance. They have photos of fallen soldiers to motivate you up the hill. I was happy to high-five the JROTC kids near the top.
The last couple of miles of the half course have nearly nothing: aid stations, spectators. A highlight of the course was running through the Fort Worth Stockyards– tons of crowd support through there and it was mostly downhill. If you are sensitive to livestock smells, that might be a consideration when signing up.
The biggest hiccup was parking. There was a lot of traffic. I recommend arriving a full hour before the starting line to avoid craziness. I paid for a pass for race day, but in the future, I will give my husband the parking pass and take a ride share to the starting line.
Amazing First Half Marathon at Cowtown
First half marathon done at the The Cowtown Marathon 🏃♀️ What made this race special were the amazing neighborhood volunteers cheering us on and supporting runners the entire way. The … MORE
First half marathon done at the The Cowtown Marathon 🏃♀️
What made this race special were the amazing neighborhood volunteers cheering us on and supporting runners the entire way. The organization was fantastic, with hydration stations available every other mile, which really helped along the course. Even around noon, the snacks were still stocked!
Running through Fort Worth, especially the mile-9 incline bridge and the beautiful trail parks made the run unforgettable.
This is definitely a race I’ll keep coming back to every year!
Thank you, Cowtown!
The best marathon I ran. I enjoyed it.
This year I had the opportunity to participate in the Cowtown Marathon for the first time, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience. Not only did I complete … MORE
This year I had the opportunity to participate in the Cowtown Marathon for the first time, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience. Not only did I complete the full marathon, but I also achieved a personal best, which made the race even more special for me.
The course is thoughtfully designed and takes runners through many of the major attractions in Fort Worth, especially through Fort Worth Stockyards, where you can really feel the city’s historic character and culture. Running through these iconic areas adds a unique atmosphere to the race and makes the miles feel meaningful and memorable.
The course is challenging but rewarding. There are several slopes and rolling elevations throughout the route, which require good pacing and endurance. While the hills make the race tougher, they also make finishing the marathon feel even more satisfying.
The event organization was excellent. There were plenty of fluid stations along the course, making it easy to stay hydrated. The volunteers were incredibly caring, friendly, and supportive, which made a big difference during the tougher miles. The spectators along the route were also fantastic. Many people came out to cheer, encourage runners, and create a very positive and energetic atmosphere.
One highlight of the race was the pacer team. The pacers were experienced, well organized, and very supportive. They helped runners maintain steady pacing and provided motivation throughout the race.
Overall, I truly enjoyed the entire experience. From the well-designed course to the enthusiastic volunteers and spectators, everything about the event was well planned and welcoming. I would highly recommend the Cowtown Marathon to other runners, whether it’s their first marathon or they are aiming for a personal best.
I am already looking forward to coming back and running it again next year.
Not slow runner friendly
I was within the cut off time limit for the half, but needed medical assistance. Two aid stations were already picked up. I had to walk on an injured foot … MORE
I was within the cut off time limit for the half, but needed medical assistance. Two aid stations were already picked up. I had to walk on an injured foot to finally get to an aid station that was manned. Gatorade at all the aid stations was super watered down. It was gross and they ran out at many of the stations, before the half and full split. The water and Gatorade tables were too close together and people were all bunched up, with other runners trying to dodge around them. In the snack area, all that was left for any runner over 3:30 was bananas and a box of couscous! No chocolate milk, no cookies, no crackers, not even beer at the beer tent. Really disappointing for slow runners!
Great first experience
Awesome aid stations. It was a great route. The challenge level was perfect for a first time racer. We will be coming back for years to come. MORE
Awesome aid stations. It was a great route. The challenge level was perfect for a first time racer. We will be coming back for years to come.
1st ultra
Love Cowtown race, especially the neighborhood volunteers who give their time to serve the runners. Even at 12 pm, snacks still available. Fort Worth scenery is one of a kind, … MORE
Love Cowtown race, especially the neighborhood volunteers who give their time to serve the runners. Even at 12 pm, snacks still available. Fort Worth scenery is one of a kind, the 9 mile bridge, the cowtown, the trail park. I’m running the cowtown race every year before moving out of state in a couple of years. Thank you, Cowtown!!!
Hydration
This was my 10th year to run Cowtown 1/2 and the worst year for the aid stations. In the past there was always plenty of Gatorade at each station and … MORE
This was my 10th year to run Cowtown 1/2 and the worst year for the aid stations. In the past there was always plenty of Gatorade at each station and they usually had Gu or some sort of electrolytes. This year, with the weather being warmer than usual, I only came across one aid station with electrolytes. I did bring my own Gu for this year because last year I noticed that they did not have as much as the year before. I have always been impressed with the aid stations at Cowtown. This year was a disappointment!
Best race I have ever done
The location was my favorite, I’m a little biased though because that’s where I was born. But running through the stockyards and through downtown made you want to keep running … MORE
The location was my favorite, I’m a little biased though because that’s where I was born. But running through the stockyards and through downtown made you want to keep running to see where you were going to end up next.
Well organized but kinda boring
The course itself was kinda boring-I wish it had run along the Trinity River. They didn't have nearly enough gatorade-they ran out quickly. For 29,000 runners, it was very well MORE
The course itself was kinda boring-I wish it had run along the Trinity River. They didn’t have nearly enough gatorade-they ran out quickly. For 29,000 runners, it was very well organized.
Successful First Half Marathon
This was my second year running the Cowtown race weekend, and it’s truly become a race that means a lot to me. From the moment race weekend starts, you can … MORE
This was my second year running the Cowtown race weekend, and it’s truly become a race that means a lot to me. From the moment race weekend starts, you can feel the energy and the support from the running community. The organization is amazing packet pickup is smooth, race morning is easy to navigate, and everything feels really well put together.
The course is definitely challenging, especially with the hills, but that’s also part of what makes finishing feel so rewarding. There were so many encouraging spectators and volunteers along the way, and their support really helps carry you through the tougher miles.
This year didn’t go exactly how I planned. I ended up getting hurt during the race, which made the last miles really difficult both physically and mentally. But even in those moments, the atmosphere of the race and the encouragement from people around me reminded me why I love running events like this.
Even though the race didn’t go the way I hoped, crossing that finish line was still incredibly meaningful. Sometimes races aren’t about perfect performances, they’re about showing up, pushing through, and learning from the experience.
Cowtown is the kind of race that keeps you coming back. And next year, I’ll definitely be back at the start line ready to redeem myself.
Second Cowtown Half and its a Vibe
Second Cowtown Half ive ran and I will always run it, the vibes are amazing and the people are great. Definitely train for it as those hills are no joke! … MORE
Second Cowtown Half ive ran and I will always run it, the vibes are amazing and the people are great. Definitely train for it as those hills are no joke! Cant wait for Next Year!!
So fun, but so many hills!
This race was so fun running through the stockyards. The aid stations were good and spaced nicely. I absolutely love the medal! The cutest cowboy hat thats also a bell. … MORE
This race was so fun running through the stockyards. The aid stations were good and spaced nicely. I absolutely love the medal! The cutest cowboy hat thats also a bell. The only negative thing I can say about this race is the elevation changes. As a first time half marathon runner that’s only trained on flat ground, this was a tough run. I was still able to finish the whole run without walking tho! The energy was great.
The Cowtown Half Marathon First Timer
I LOVED THIS RACE!! I am from Fort Worth, and it was so cool to run around different areas and streets that I am only used to driving over and … MORE
I LOVED THIS RACE!!
I am from Fort Worth, and it was so cool to run around different areas and streets that I am only used to driving over and really taking in the views. I am obsessed with the medal designs; I love anything with a good western theme. The volunteers were amazing and everyone was so encouraging; it was an amazing atmosphere to race in. This was my first ever race, and I hope to be back every year, and hopefully in the next few years I can say I completed a full marathon. I definitely recommend this one!!
Such an amazing experience
The cowtown marathon was the most fun I’ve had all year! This was such a personal achievement for me and I encourage people to push themselves and go for it. … MORE
The cowtown marathon was the most fun I’ve had all year! This was such a personal achievement for me and I encourage people to push themselves and go for it.
This race was super fun and fast!
This race was somewhat hilly but the only big one is at mile 9. Nice scenery, great organization, and just an overall awesome experience. I would love to run it … MORE
This race was somewhat hilly but the only big one is at mile 9. Nice scenery, great organization, and just an overall awesome experience. I would love to run it again, even though I live almost 9 hours from Fort Worth right now.
Big hills
It’s a fun race especially going through the stock yards it’s a different experience seeing all the people there cheering for you … but Mae sure you save gas for … MORE
It’s a fun race especially going through the stock yards it’s a different experience seeing all the people there cheering for you … but Mae sure you save gas for miles 8-10 because those hills will get you and make sure that bridge doesn’t eat you alive but once you cross go celebrate and have fun so much to do there
Great First Half Marathon
There were great aid & water stations and plenty of them. Lots of hills that were killer, but there’s so many spectators that keep the energy going. Also- lots of … MORE
There were great aid & water stations and plenty of them. Lots of hills that were killer, but there’s so many spectators that keep the energy going. Also- lots of porta potties. Running through the Stockyards is really cool too.
Great atmosphere, people & tables!
Great place to run. They map it out really well, have great participation in crowds and really make it fun. I was encouraged by many of the runners, the volunteer … MORE
Great place to run. They map it out really well, have great participation in crowds and really make it fun. I was encouraged by many of the runners, the volunteer tables handed out great snacks and drinks. Overall a great experience and will be doing it again!
Fantastic First Half
For this being my first half, I really enjoyed the flow of the event. It was very organized, the swag was great and all the freebies at the end was … MORE
For this being my first half, I really enjoyed the flow of the event. It was very organized, the swag was great and all the freebies at the end was amazing. I’ll need to bring a bigger bag next year! The route was easy to navigate with LOTS to look at! Definitely doing this again next year!