UPDATE: The Cowtown Marathon is on ... A guide to Fort Worth’s signature race
The Cowtown Marathon is a go this weekend.
After raising slight doubt on Thursday that weather could alter the schedule, race organizers on Friday said they plan to follow the full weekend schedule of races.
“The safety of Cowtown runners, volunteers and spectators is our top priority,” Cowtown executive director Heidi Swartz said in a news release. “The Texas weather is challenging all of us this weekend. We are grateful to the thousands of runners, volunteers, supporters and local officials who regularly participate in our event. Their dedication, patience and flexibility in times like these are invaluable.”
Fort Worth’s signature race that is celebrating its 44th running in 2022. The 2021 race took place in May instead of its traditional late February date due to the pandemic. This year’s race is expected to have a pre-pandemic feel to it, providing Mother Nature cooperates.
The forecast calls for the temperate to hover around freezing on the morning of both race days. On Saturday, there may be wet and cold conditions as there’s a 40% chance of rain and temperatures expected to be in the mid-to-upper 30s. Sunday calls for better weather with a high of 56 degrees, but the 50s likely won’t hit until the afternoon.
Saturday’s 10k race is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. with the adult 5k getting underway at 8:30 a.m. All of Sunday’s races (half marathon, full relay, full marathon and ultra marathon) begin at 7 a.m.
The start/finish line is at Will Rogers Memorial Center.
Health and Wellness Expo
Race organizers have shifted the time of the Health and Wellness Expo on Friday as it will now run from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. to allow extra time for improved road conditions and travel to and from Will Rogers for participants.
Spectator info
The Cowtown encourages the community to cheer on this year’s participants as the routes take them from the Will Rogers Memorial Center through the Stockyards into downtown and, for full marathons, through the TCU/Colonial area.
Among the spots to watch the race, event officials suggest:
Start line: The race begins at Will Rogers Memorial Center. This is a great spot to get the energy going, inspire runners, and be there for the big finish. Only runners with bibs are allowed in the actual start area.
Mile 1: The first mile passes Trinity Park and Duck Pond. This is a beautiful spot to cheer on runners as they begin a great race.
Mile 5-6: At this point, runners are at a comfortable pace. They are approaching the Stockyards National Historic District and will experience one of the highlights of the race along the bricks with a front row view of Fort Worth’s cowboy culture.
Mile 7-9: Main Street is the longest straightaway in the race. The bridge requires the most energetic cheering as most runners gear up for the challenge. Tell runners to keep their heads up, their hips under them, and move those arms. Remind each one they have come too far to let up now!
Mile 9.5: Runners are approaching Sundance Square in Downtown Fort Worth. This is a wonderful place to cheer from and is known for great dining and shopping, so be sure to support local businesses while you are there. The Half Marathoners only have four miles to finish, so help them power through!
Mile 10.5 – 11: Main Street Village. Enjoy coffee and breakfast and cheer marathon and relay course runners along this revitalized area.
Mile 13: The half-way point of the Marathon is at Park Place Village. This is a perfect place from which to cheer. Team up with the fluid station here to encourage everyone to keep going.
Mile 19: Foster Park is the final relay exchange, cheer all runners from here.
Mile 20: Most runners are now going further than they have run before during training. Bodies are low on fuel and most runners have found the infamous “wall.” Meet these runners at Overton Park and keep their spirits high!
Mile 23: The last few miles of the race cross around the Woodshed restaurant on the Trinity Trails. This is when each runner is in need of a final push to finish strong!
Mile 26: Almost Done! View all finishing runners during their last tenths of a mile as they turn left on Gendy and head to the finish line. Cheer them on as they push up Lancaster toward S Gendy and the finish line.
Road closures
A map of the routes can be accessed on the Cowtown Marathon website, which shows exactly where the race takes place and what streets to avoid on Saturday and Sunday morning.
Participants have 1 1/2 hours to complete the 5K, and 2 1/2 hours to complete the 10K on Saturday. Sunday’s races must be completed in 4 1/2 hours for the half marathon and 7 1/2 hours for the full marathon, relay and ultra marathon.
This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 1:39 PM.
