This was my first time running the Half Marathon at Cowtown. I really enjoyed the course, the organization and overall atmosphere. It was easy to get to, park and race. I really loved running through the old town Ft Worth Stockyards, this was the highlight of the course. Old rustic feel, cobblestone streets, lots of spectators, great! The size was large enough to have everything you hope, but not so large that you cannot run freely and feeling so crowded. I really enjoyed this and would rate it high. I will be back and would urge others to consider this winter timeframe race. Weather was great and cool, which definitely helped the times.

I ran the Cowtown Marathon this morning and was very pleased. Yes, there are hills, but not as bad as Dallas and many other marathons. They have put a lot of effort into the course route. I've seen posts about the cobblestones, and they were minor and no problem for me. Although there are frequent turns like in many marathons, the route is truly a sincere pleasure to run. You need to be very proud of yourself if you can keep up the pace for the very last mile, which slopes upward. Very well organized and plenty of support. I made my BQ, which is saying a lot!

Second year consecutively to run Cowtown Ultra (2012). It's a must-do race for anybody who lives in DFW, but not sure I'd fly in for it. The course is average, spectators were friendly where they existed and the organization was fair. Parking was much better for me this year compared to 2011 but maybe because I arrived earlier than last year. I volunteered at the expo's packet pick-up on Saturday and noted good organization and information being provided to the participants. It also seemed that post-race food was more available in 2012 than in 2011, so that may have improved (my yogurt came with a spoon this time around). My favorite aspect of Cowtown is the Ultra's turnaround pointlike last year those volunteers were gracious and generous. I couldn't utter a graceful thanks in return due to fatigue. If I'll be living in DFW next year I'd like to return to the Cowtown. I like the black-colored Cowtown technical shirt awarded to finishers.

Love the course, love the organization, love the crowd, love Fort Worth. Special love goes out the the lady around mile 20 that handed me an ice-cold Miller Lite. I'll see you in heaven, ma'am. Will finish my star next year!

The marathon course was great, just enough hills to mix it up. The runs through the park and the stockyards area were nice. The group who sang at the very beginning were inspirational to get the run going. The only draw back was maybe have more entertainment along the course. Springhill Suites was a mile from the start and the expo. They were very clean and provided breakfast and shuttle for the race. No long wait for me. If you did have to walk it wouldn't be that far. Nice shirts and medal. Food was fine at the finish. Would run again.

I thought there were a lot of good changes from last year - the organizers listened. The finish line in particular was much better with the new location and it was much easier to find family afterward.

Areas for improvement, early on the aid station drink order seemed to vary, after-race refreshments are still lacking - unless you want a full box of something - and it was a little difficult to navigate back to the gear check afterward. I went the wrong way and had to backtrack on shreded legs.

All in all, a well-organized race with some room to grow. Just don't get too big!

Course-
I've run the marathon 3 years and this year I ran the half. Really liked last years course change and the chance to see the stockyards-we plan on coming back to visit it when the traffic is easier to manage. After-the-race-traffic is congested and slow-unfortunately they had some public works roadblocks that narrowed down some of the streets that weren't being run on ... so for an out-of-towner it was a long day..after the race.
Organization-
I've come from out of state for 4 years to do this race with a friend and we both thought the organization was great. I thought food was excellent-nothing fancy;but, a small balanced amount of options-yogurt, chicken noodle soup, oranges, bananas, ice cream, and a fruit cup-thought it was great. 2 tech shirts and a medal for a half marathon is exceptional-and they were unique in design. Best sunrise service I've attended.
Spectators-
The spectators seem to grow in quantity over the years- it was a nice day to be out. We'll be back next year to finish out the 5 year series.

Fort Worth does a really nice job with this event. It is now a complete weekend when the town welcomes runners from all over the world. The 5k and 10k events are on Saturday, and Sunday is just for the long distances. I ran the Ultra and loved the course support. There was no shortage of marshalls, traffic control, medical/sag support, friendly spectators or food, fuel and facilities. It is definitely a hilly course by most runner's standards but still very manageable. There is nothing better than the turn-off you take for the Ultra. You are on your own section of the course, just you and the other Ultra runners, everyone was high-fiving and encouraging each other. This is a runner's marathon with just the right combination of attention to detail without the loss of the home town feel.

This was my 5th marathon, completing my 'tour of Texas (Austin,Dallas, Houston, Ft Worth, San Antonio)' big marathons. It was by far the hardest course in terms of hills (worse than Austin, I thought). That being said, the hills broke it up and kept it interesting. Great aide stations and course support. Great post-race food. I probably wouldn't do the full again (mainly because of the hills), but I'd do the half for sure. Race organization with the wave start was nice. No weaving around walkers. The race staff is very nice and helpful. All around a good a good race....

If not for a headwind when running south, weather would have been ideal. Aid stations were lacking in food but well stocked in water & power-ade & adequately spaced. Nice medal & finisher shirt. Nice course through the highlights of Cowtown, Expo was ho-hum.