With aid stations every 1.5 miles, wet paper towels handed out at at least 4 different stations, porta-potties at every aid station, and plenty of volunteers and crowd support, this is an excellent marathon! The course went through some scenic areas of Ft. Worth - some small hills but nothing too serious. Very good communication with the race directors, too. They were fast to e-mail back or respond on their Facebook page. Thank you! I will recommend this marathon to my friends.

For a large marathon that has been a staple for years, the organizers surprisingly dropped the ball in several aspects. From the totally disorganized corral start, to the inadequate water stops the first few miles, to the very confusing and disappointing post-race food and organization, it just seems that no one had thought everything through.

This was my first ever half marathon and I REALLY enjoyed myself. The half marathon course itself was pretty. We ran through older and newer neighborhoods and along a golf course. It was hillier than what I expected, but I didn't mind it.

The start was tough because we were all crammed in so tightly, but after I finally started the run, it thinned out pretty quickly. There were plenty of water stops and they had 3-4 porta-potties at each stop. I never stopped for the restroom though because the lines were so long and I didn't want to stop.

The post-race food was AWESOME! I came out with a plastic bag full of good healthy foods and some junk food, which I chowed down on after the run! I loved the tech shirt too and I wear it often.

I thought the expo was average in comparison to other major triathlon expos that I have been to.

Ft. Worth is a gem. A tough course, but excellent organization and weather! Get a dirty love burger from The Love Shack afterwards!

The 2009 marathon was great, so I expected this year to be just as good. The wave start was a complete mess. I'm not sure why they need the wave start with so few actual runners. The start is very crowded with all of the running options: 5K, 10K, half, full, ultra, kids' race. Then the finish is crowded as well. Lots of walkers in the way of runners. I don't mind the walkers, but walking four- or five-across the road is unnecessary.

The course was similar this year, except for a few places. Crossing a four-lane, busy road is not ideal. A runner in front of me almost got hit by a car. Then a dump truck almost pulled out in front of me while running next to a building construction site. Hopefully all that will be addressed next year.

I plan on being back. This year had great weather for a race that typically has lots of wind or cold rain. Plus I am now two years into the five-year medal series.

This race keeps growing in participation, but you wouldn't be able to tell it. Fort Worth is a great host city for this race. Very inviting and friendly. I love the course through the neighborhoods. The residents were out in force cheering on the runners. Last year was good; this year was even better! Good job with the organization, and a GREAT JOB to the city of FORT WORTH, Texas!

The cops were great, but Cowtown would need fewer of them if the course were through fewer four-lane city streets lined with Staples stores and Home Depots. Only about half of the course was worth the sights - with nice residential areas and some parkways - though the trees are still winter dull.

The start was abysmal: late, and for eight miles runners for the half, full and ultra all shared the designated lane.

Great tech shirt, and better finish food than you get at most runs.

Few potties after the start, the mile markers were small and on one side of the road only, and the only energy offering was Gatorade. Small expo. Bless those spectators with the bananas and gummy bears! If Runner's World says this is #1 in organization, I'd say yes regarding course markings, cop assistance, finish food, and shirt. But everything could be improved. Great Fort Worth museums and a vegan diner in southwest Fort Worth for before and after.

I've run 13 fulls, so I thought we'd travel south from Nebraska to run a half in warmer weather. It was a perfect day to run. Expo was good - except a little chilly, being out in heated tents. I didn't expect all of the rolling hills, so it was a very challenging course, even for the half. Water stations were spaced perfectly for the half, and spectators were good too. My only complaint is trying to dodge the walkers who were walking two to four abreast and oblivious to the runners. Please tell/require walkers to stay to one side or the other!!! We loved the medal and will be back to get the whole star! The finisher shirts were awesome, as was the fruit/food at the end. Thanks, FW, Texas!

I enjoyed the layout of the course itself; it had decent scenery and a good mix of some rolling hills, which made it fairly challenging. The weather ended up being perfect, with a chilly start and a finish in the low 50's.

While fan support was a bit sparse, all were very enthusiastic. Volunteers did a great job with the fluid stops, and there were more than enough of them throughout the course.

Probably my one gripe is that traffic control along the course needs improvement, and something needs to be done to better control the flow of all the different races.

I appreciated the hard work of the Fort Worth PD controlling auto traffic for the most part. Although, on at least two occasions within the neighborhoods I had to break stride and lost time due to intereference from cars.

Another area where time was lost was where the half split off from the full/ultra. There was no clear marker, and the volunteer wasn't present at the time. I ended up turning to the half course and had to backtrack, losing a good 30 seconds off of my time. Also, the two finishing chutes didn't seem to be clearly marked, and I ended up almost going through the wrong one. It was neat how an announcer called out each finisher by name.

Finally, something needs to be done about the last 2-3 miles. There was one lane for all racers, and there were significant numbers of walkers going three-wide. Runners had to snake through and around them, which is probably one of the last things you want to deal with when you're struggling towards the finish.

Having run the Cowtown Half two times previously, I decided on the Ultra this year. Overall this is a very well run event, especially considering that there are so many different races on the same day. First the positives:

Course: Beautiful course with lots of variety and scenery. Rolling hills that provide both a challenge and interest.... But come prepared. (The climb at the ultra trail turnaround was quite a treat!)

Water stations: They were set up every mile and a half, which is more than at most races. I agree that the first several could use a couple more tables, but overall, I had no problem grabbing hydration on the run.

Spectators: Sparse but really enthusiastic and encouraging!

Traffic Control: Hats off to the Ft. Worth PD!! This course does cross a number of busy streets but the cops really were working to protect the runners.

Perks: Awesome, long-sleeve, technical, finisher's shirt, and the 5-year medal series was a stroke of genius - I can't wait to complete my star!

Finish: It's great to have an announcer calling out finishers' names; there was also a good flow out of the chute and easily accessible food.

Weather: I know the organizers can't claim credit for this year, but what a perfect day to run!

The only real negative I can point to is the start, which seems to get a little worse each year rather than better. This year there was the addition of corrals and a "wave" start, but you would never know it. The sidewalks are so crowded with spectators and 5K/10K runners that it was difficult even to get to the starting area. If you are going to have corrals, you really have to have volunteers to help control the staging. I have yet to be in a race of any distance where people will accurately stage themselves. Many walkers and joggers somehow took off in the first "wave," which to me seemed to make those first few miles even harder (navigating the slower runners). I'm all for having participants of all abilities; the race just has to find a way to get people staged a little better. Once they can get the start conquered... it will be just about perfect!

Keep up the good work, Cowtown! See you next year!