Fort Worth Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Suann L.
Colleyville, TX

  (12-07-2009)

"This was my first half marathon. It's a flat course starting at La Grave Field (home of the Fort Worth Cats) and goes along the beautiful Trinity River in Fort Worth. It is a Boston Qualifier for those running the full marathon.

You can choose from a full marathon, a 20-mile run (which debuted this year) and a half. The 20-mile run was a perfect training run for those doing the Dallas White Rock Marathon in December.

The race is relatively new, but growing in attendance. It grew from a little over 100 participants in 2008 to 500 in 2009. I wouldn't be surprised if it reached 1,000 next year.

This year, we had a ton of rain leading up to the race and the course had to be rerouted due to construction on the trail. The race usually starts inside the stadium and then heads out to the trail. For some reason, the start was moved outside the stadium; however, the race director promised it would start back on the field in 2010.

Unlike most races, this one draws for the prize money. So it’s worth sticking around to see if you won! There’s a great band and pizza and pasta by Pizzeria Uno at the stadium to keep you entertained while you wait for the last marathoners to come in.

Proceeds from the race go help fund the “Run Like a Cheetah” program, which promotes exercise and health in Fort Worth area public school systems.

If you are looking for a flat, fast course to BQ, this is a good one. If you are looking for bands and crowds to cheer you along, you won’t see that here. Only a few friends of runners were out and about cheering. However, water every mile and lots of port-a-potties along the way.

The best part is the finisher’s medal…it converts to a Texas-sized belt buckle!
"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009