This was my second Cowtown, after finishing last year. We decided to do all of our long runs on a hilly course in Dallas, so on race day we were so ready to tackle the rolling hills. I PRed and finished 20 minutes faster than last year!

I just wish they'd start the half-marathon a bit later or do a different route. It's crazy during the first 6 miles; I had to wait in line to get water at mile 5, and I couldn't go. I already had taken my GU and I needed water. Maybe they need more tables for those first miles. But once we split from the half, everything was great!!

I'm coming back next year to tackle the Ultra!!!!

It was my first marathon. I was so excited and determined to run my first marathon that I was on a runners high for the entire event. Not many spectators, but the ones that were there were darn good ones! MY only complaints are: the wind, and not being able to see many food opportunities along the route (although that may be my own responsibility to provide energy food on my run). Thanks for a great weekend for me, my family, and my friends (who joined in on the festivities as well).

This was my first marathon, and I couldn't have been more impressed with the event. The course was beautiful and ran through some really wonderful areas of Fort Worth, and I felt that the spectators were great, considering it's a smaller marathon. I had read previous reviews of how "hilly" the course was considered by the reviewers, and I was worried about the hills going into the race. But it turns out that the "hills" were hardly hills at all. I found them to be very gradual to slightly rolling, but nothing overwhelming. Coming from Iowa and the hill training I did at home, this was the most pleasant surprise of the day. The weather was a bit of a different story. Thankfully I am from Iowa, so I was very used to running in the cold and wind; however, I was looking forward to running the marathon in slightly warmer conditions and didn't really pack appropriately for the dramatic change in forecast in the days leading up to the race. I had planned to run in about 45-55 degree weather and was greeted with mid 30's and wind on race day. Next year I will know better and will pack a better variety of race day attire options. Yes, I said next year... I have every intention of returning to the Cowtown next year!!! GREAT EVENT!

i like the idea of the 5 medals. They need to split up the half and the full. There are never enough fluids for the slower marathoners in the first 7 miles when one needs it the most.... I like the finish in the stockyards better.

Thanks to the reviews on this page from previous years, I knew exactly what to expect. I picked this race to be my first out-of-town marathon because I lived in the DFW area 15 years. So, I am sort of a local.

First don't park at LaGrave Field; there is plenty of parking downtown (free within blocks of the start). The start of the marathon goes down the same road that the buses travel. So, at the start of the race I passed buses going upstream with what I assume were latecomers.

I loved the course with the mixture of city, parks, and residential. There was plenty of GU and goodies along the course. The non green water bottles took me by surprise. Also, I wasn't sure if some of the tables were done by bystanders or by the race. The guy that I kept on bumping into handing out the Tootsie Rolls was great.

My calves cramped at 19 miles, which forced me to walk the last part of the marathon giving me a 5+-hour time. So, the race that I experienced before mile 22 seemed different than what I experienced after mile 22. At the beginning of the race were people calling out the time at the mile markers (the mile markers need to be 12 feet-tall, not little cardboard signs.... Was there even a 25- or 26-mile marker?), but not at the end. At the beginning, there were volunteers with red flags at the turns telling us which way to go, but that was not the case at the end. Where I really needed somebody directing me was coming into downtown. They had construction signs to direct the traffic, but I saw some runners in front of follow the 5/10K directions (impossible at 5 hours). It made me very hesitant to turn the direction that the sign was pointing for the marathon. At the beginning, there were some enthusiastic bystanders, but at the end I felt like I was alone.

Don't forget at the end to find your finisher's shirt (which is nicely done) and all of the food. I really liked the Blue Bell ice cream.

I ran the 50K. It was really cold and windy, but I had a blast. The course elevation chart looks a bit scary, but if you have done any hill training at all you will have no problem. There was nothing that took my breath away. Running through the neighborhoods and parks and by the river was really enjoyable. Aid stations were excellent - plenty fluids, and GU towards the end. Crowd support, as noted elsewhere, was small but very enthusiastic, even in the bitter weather conditions. FWPD did a great job on traffic control at junctions. If you stay downtown, logistics are easy - it took me 4 minutes to walk to the start from the hotel and 5 minutes to walk back from the finish (and easy walk to any number of restaurants in the evening). Really nice long-sleeved tech shirt, and a lovely medal. Lots of post-race food. I was very impressed with the organization, and will definitely run this one again. I love Fort Worth!

I liked the course. It was a bit challenging because of the hills but I enjoyed it. Our pacer Stephen Tall (4:10) was terrific!

Few spectators, but who cares? I am not high maintenance.

Some water stations were a little disorganized, but I appreciate their efforts. My wife told me that organizers were looking volunteers even when the race was in progress.

Weather was cold at the start, but after a few miles of running, I warmed myself. Also, it was windy at the end of the race.

There was plenty of food at the end. I cannot complain at all.

I will definitely run this race again next year.

I ran this marathon in 2004 and swore to never do it again. Well, I'm glad I changed my mind. They really have come a long way in 5 years. The course is about the same but the logistics have greatly improved. Aid stations were well stocked (in 2004 they only had water). This race no longer felt like a 10K with a marathon included. I ran the full but liked the fact that they added a half. It made for a much larger event.

The wind was pretty tough and the hills were just as I remembered. Not a PR course, but if you're up for a challenge, you should put this marathon on your "to do" list.

This race is extremely well run, and in spite of what I had read on this site, was well supported by the community. The course is a nice blend of flats and gently rolling hills. The water stops were great, the course was well marked, and there were supporters all along the way, as well as private party water and food stops! The organization both pre- and post-race was awesome, and the downtown is a wonderful place to stay ahead of the event, as it is literally filled with runners, and has plenty of entertainment and food options. It was very windy but perfect running temp, and the wind was at your back more than in your face. I highly recommend this race.

The Cowtown organization knows how to put on a great event!

Only my 3rd, so I'm not an expert critic, yet, but I enjoyed this race. The course was primarily through residential and park areas, where traffic was low. Traffic control was good. There were a few places where I thought they should have completely cut off traffic, rather than having to share the road. Volunteers were friendly and helpful. Plenty of water stops. Smaller crowd support than my other two I've run, but it was there, and we appreciated all of you. Hills weren't as bad as I've read. I didn't like that a few of the longer inclines were at the end. For the uncontrollable, weather and wind ended up better than last-minute predictions had them. Nothing negative about this race, except my legs were gone before I hit the finish! I'd run this one again.