How to register for all the Cowtown Marathon races this weekend
From 700 to now over 20,000 runners, the Cowtown Marathon has grown significantly since the University of North Texas Health Science Center launched its first race in 1979.
Only runners from the North Texas area participated in the early marathons, but 45 years later, every state in the country and a dozen foreign countries have participants every year, said Heidi Swartz, marathon executive director.
“It’s got a really good impact on the city, not only with helping the youth, but just helping other people have the motivation to get fit and exercise,” Swartz said. “As far as the city goes, we have a [$10.4 million] economic impact just on race weekend.”
The Cowtown Marathon returns to Fort Worth this weekend, with races such as a marathon, half-marathon, 10K and kids 5k, among others. Along with a weekend full of races, the Health and Fitness Expo will take over the Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall in the Will Rogers Memorial Center.
To celebrate the 45th anniversary, the Cowtown is hosting the USA Track and Field Half Marathon Championships that brings Olympian caliber runners to Fort Worth. In addition and thanks to its sponsors, the Cowtown Marathon will also hand out $30,000 in prize money over its many races this year, Swartz said.
Swartz is expecting a busy weekend with thousands of people participating in events and exploring Fort Worth, which can only be good for the city. She can’t wait to see runners take off from the start line and welcome them back at the finish.
“That’s the best part of the job,” she said. “To watch them come through the finish line and know that we helped make that goal happen.”
Runners and volunteers can still register to run or help at the event this weekend. Here’s what to know about the 45th Cowtown Marathon:
Race events are at the Cowtown Marathon
Break out the running shoes and wristbands, there’s plenty to run through this weekend. Volunteers can register online to help out.
Ultra Marathon
- When: Sunday at 7 a.m.
- Distance: 31.1 miles
- Age limit: 18 years and older
- Price to enter: $185
Full Marathon
- When: Sunday at 7 a.m.
- Distance: 26.2 miles
- Age limit: 18 years and older
- Price to enter: $175
Half Marathon
10K Race
- When: Saturday at 7 a.m.
- Distance: 6.2 miles
- Age limit: None
- Price to enter: $70
5K Race
Healthy Hig Relay
- When: Sunday at 7 a.m.
- Distance: 26.2 miles
- Age limit: 12 years or older
- Price to enter: $280
What is the race route?
All of the races will kick off and end at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.
For the marathon course, runners will head north to the Fort Worth Stockyards and then make a loop heading south past the downtown area. Next on the route is a trip past the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Trinity Park, before a swing by Texas Christian University campus and finally back to Will Rogers Memorial Center.
The 5 and 10K route is similar, but runners will only go as far south as Trinity Park before returning to Will Rogers.
