It's Fort Worth and they're trying to give you a tour of the city and that's what you get. The city isn't flat. It's not all by the river. You get everything from working class to upper class neighborhoods, business districts, several parks, mild hills to short steep grades but as you swing by downtown you don't have to run up the big hill downtown sits on. The course had big mile markers painted on the road, arrows pointing course changes, course monitors, good water stops, portojohns en route here and there. The only thing i can knock em on was the refreshments at the end. I walked away with a single bottle of water. Where was the post race refreshment area anyway? Also keep in mind that the 10k companion race draws most of the competitors and has to be supported. Another thought, i enjoy talking with my fellow runners and keeping my head up to take in the sights during a race of this length. I've run marathons all over the country and i found that the local runners didn't really have that much to say. No wonder you locals don't enjoy this race you're too focused on your feet. Yes, there were a lot of pot holes and cracked pavement to watch out for but it wasn't all bad roads. Pick your head up and interface with your fellow runners and your enjoyment will increase as will ours. One last comment. how about those belly dancers? A genuine first.

I like Fort Worth and run this marathon for that reason. Usually I finish in 4:30 and there is barely any food left. This year, as the posted cut-off time was 6:30, I ran/walked it with some friends. We came in at 5:51 and there was absolutely no food left, but racers were walking around with cases of yogurt. Either the race organizers should save some food, or not let people finish after 5 hrs.

This one is all hills! There is nothing left at the finish - no water, food, nothing. The 10k and 5k runners get all of that stuff. There was no Expo in 2002 - there isn't even an official photographer - there is NO CROWD SUPPORT! It is just bad. Oh, and the course is not marked - we had a few from our group that were lost and actually ran about 28 miles that day.

Will skip in favor of the Motorola (Austin) Marathon next year. Nice town but come on and give us some straight aways and more time by the water and less in the neighborhoods. Packet pickup a pain for those that fly in without a car since it is so far from hotels that 'sponsor' the race.

The course is challenging yet fun. Early in the course you face a few hills then the last half is basically flat and easy. Look for some fun surprises late in the race. This will be my fourth cowtown and plan on many more. Come on have some fun in cowtown.

I hate to say this but I am pretty disappointed with my hometown marathon. I ran the last leg of the relay and the course is not that great and the fan support was terrible compared to White Rock in Dallas and Motorola in Austin. For slower marathoners--5 hours plus--you will find no food or free beer or anything that makes me run-haha I can't imagine ever running the full marathon here and I hate to admit that because I'm born and bred right here in Cowtown!

they still haven't gotten my results correct and I was one of the top finishers--first they published my time wrong--then they corrected that and got my place wrong...then they got them close but had the next finisher one second behind me vs. about 4 minutes....I gave up when they sent a certificate saying I was 3rd ov--I tossed it in the trash. They blamed the mess on a bandit--but still didn't get it right after months!!!
--I hope this was a one year thing 'cuz the volunteers along the course and post-race were just TOO GOOD to trash this race. They truly show you good 'ol Southern hospitality. The community is great.

I'd skip the awards though--if you are not from the Ft. Worth area you won't understand a thing. Enjoy a night on the town instead...it's a wonderful area!

I have run it the last 5 years and enjoyed it every time. Spectators are sparse over the last half of the course, but the crowd picks up again in the last half mile. Each finisher's name is announced as he/she crosses the finish line. The race usually draws about 800 entrants, not too large, but large enough that there are still runners around you at the end, even for us back-of-the-packers. The course is well-monitored to keep you from accidentally taking a wrong turn.

For the fast and elite runner this course is both challenging and rewarding. Starting and ending in the historic stock-yards gives you a feel of real western flavor. Not too many hills, only some steep climbs (there is one at the end that is rather steep). If you are a slower runner you might find somewhat disconcerting the sight of the really fast ones coming back at you for what seems like miles, as the courses swithces back upon itself. But you can also see the slower runners still going out to make their turns. There is a belly dancer waiting for you towards the end, and a 'fat lady' dressed up as a Viking holding a sign stating 'the end must be near 'cause I am singing.' The marathon itself is not as popular as the concurrent 5 and 10K runs, but still a great experience. I have returned to run it three years in a row.