Cowtown Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Karen W.
Southlake, TX

  (03-26-2011)

"Way better than last year! I liked the course, except for the cobblestone street mile where 3 people stumbled in front of me and fell. Expo was a huge improvement over last years since they moved it indoors. I also think their water stations needed to have longer tables, we would all crowd around them fighting for a cup. But overall, I had a PR and enjoy the 2 free beers afterwards. I'll be there next year!"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2011

Sarah L.
Austin, TX

  (03-03-2011)

"I wish that I could give this 3.5 stars! It wasn't mediocre, but it wasn't awesome either.

First, the Expo. My husband & I had just been at the Austin Marathon Expo the weekend before where we had picked up loads of freebies and discounts and gleaned some great information from interesting vendors! We'd heard the Cowtown Expo was great too! However, it did not compare to the Austin Expo. We arrived around 2pm on Saturday and several of the booths had already been vacated. The only booth offering samples was Honey Milk (great stuff, by the way!). There were very few freebies (chapstick, dried pineapple). It wasn't held in a tent this year, but the overall vibe was pretty low-key. It felt like we were late to the party.

Now for the race. There were plenty of indoor bathrooms and outdoor portapotties! I didn't have to stand in line, which is a first. Also a first, I was in Corral 1 and they organizers of the race actually did a great job of trying to keep runners in their appropriate corral - I never had to fight my way through slower runners & walkers. Very nice! Adequate water stops & portapotties along the way. There were people distributing Gu at mile 3 & 9 (though my dad, who ran the 1/2 in 2:29:00, said that by the time he reached the Gu stations, they were out :(). I loved running through the stockyards because that's where the crowd was the strongest, but running on the cobblestone was tricky & unpleasant! There is a seemingly never-ending hill at mile 9, but after that the course evens out pretty much for the remainder.

The finish was a little weird to me. When I crossed the finish line, I was handed a water & a finishers medal, but then had to walk a ways to go through a line for oranges, banana, ice cream, & yogurt. There wasn't a way to go back through, that I could tell. I really wished I'd had access to more oranges! Then, there was about a 1/4 mile walk to the next place to pick up a finisher's shirt! It all just seemed a little spreadout & disconnected.

Overall, I enjoyed the race itself, but the logistics before (Expo) & after left something to be desired. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

Michael L.
Dripping Springs, TX

  (03-03-2011)

"* what was up with the cones in the middle of the road while the course was somewhat congested for the first part?

I was not a fan of the cobblestone road in the Stockyards, but I guess it comes with the territory.

Water stops were a bit haphazard- but thankful for volunteers.

I think one of the bigger annoyances was the post-race stuff. Having to walk a long way to get the finisher shirt was a drag after running 13.1 miles. And, getting inside the building to get the shirts was quite a task (long lines going through single doorway in/out.

Overall, the course was pretty nice. I enjoyed running through the park at the beginning. The uphill at mile 9 was rough, and into the wind. This time of year is hard to 'plan' for at this time of year in Texas.

"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

P W.
Wynne, AR

  (04-10-2010)

"I ran the hal marathon the last two years. Decided to run the full this year. Do some hill training if you want to run this. The fan support is great. Love the medal series. Will be back over the next three years to complete it."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2010

Scott Y.
Frisco, TX

  (03-15-2010)

"This is my second time running this race and there are 2 BIG draw backs to me no that I have done a few more half marathons.

First, the expo in a tent when the convention center is down the street is bogus. The weather was bad on Friday and he Expo was LAME!!

Secondly, I really dislike the cobblestone section of this run. Yes it does add character, but for me it's enough to leave it off my list.

There seemed to be ample water stops, but the bathroom scene was much lacking over last year.

There are some cool things about the race though. I really like finishing in Sundance Square. There is plenty to do in complete walking distance of the finish. And the after race stuff is great. It is also an expensive date in these days of $100 half marathon. It's $55 with early registration. I would run this again, but being more experienced now. It's not a highlight. "

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2010

Suann L.
Colleyville, TX

  (03-10-2010)

"Such a disappointment for Fort Worth. As long as they have been putting on this race, there should not have been as many mistakes made as there were. The 5K took people off course and ended up long. The kids run had the same issue.

Many people could not get to the start line in time and several of my friends were told that they could not start their races because they arrived too late.

I will say that one of my friends took the shuttle from La Grave field and said the shuttle service was fast and easy. The race should promote this more.

The expo was held in a tent. It was raining and cold the Friday before the race. No one wanted to wanted to walk around to check anything out. Nor were they any special speakers on the agenda. There is no excuse not to have the expo in the convention center, which is very close to the area.

Many of my friends ran the marathon, which they said was not adequately marked.

I ran the 10K. There were certainly not enough water stops. I was in the middle of the pack and by the time I ran by one at mile 4, they were filling cups from a water hose from a nearby business. The course starts downtown and takes you near the arts district and back. There were some decent hills and ok scenery. However, there were no spectators on the course.

The food after the run was great. Tons of free beer, cereal, nachos, ice cream. So much better than White Rock.

Fort Worth is my city and I'm proud of it. However, very disappointed that they did not use this as an opportunity to show off the city. Hosting the expo downtown in the convention center would encourage people to stay, eat and play in Fort Worth. I also think moving the race to Sunday would allow for more time for people to spend at the expo. Again, the mistakes made in the races on distance should not happen in an event that has been running for as many years as Cowtown has. If you didn't know better, you would have thought this was its first year.
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Scott Y.
Frisco, TX

  (11-10-2009)

"This was my first HM. The crowd was large, 20K, but there were no corrals. This may change, but there weren't any in '09. The weather is a total wild card in DFW in February. It was 20's-30's and WINDY, but you could get anything from wintery conditions to warm fall like temps (70's) So if you're coming from out of town, you need to bring clothes for any occasion.

The course is fairly flat, there are however cobblestone streets for long sections, which I was not a fan of. Took some getting used to running on for me.

The Expo is DINKY, almost not worth the walk through. The packet pick up was well organized and got in and out of that easily.

Great atmosphere, and good after stuff in Sundance Square make up for this race's short comings. It will be capped in 2010. If you're looking for a fast track or a Boston Qualifier, I'd put this on the list. Weather could be your only enemy.

I plan on doing this in 2010. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009