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☰
Cowtown Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Cowtown Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 3.7 
Spectators 3.4
Number of comments: 184 [displaying comments 61 to 71]
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M. G. from Barksdale AFB Louisiana
(2/27/2010)
"Great course; plan ahead for parking" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Crowded start, but that was good; it kept us all warm, especially since the temperature was in the 30's. Course is well laid out with adequate aid stations. If you are going for a PR, you will have some issues, as the crowd of people doesn't really start thinning out until mile 1-2. Great organization at the expo (although it could use a bigger area) and packet pickup; post-run organization was good for food pickup and medals, but it was horrid to get the tech shirt. Overall, I would run this again. | |
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Wiliam Tichenor from Dallas TX
(2/27/2010)
"My first ultra! Great day, but many hills." (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed Ft. Worth, and the great volunteers. The hills were tough, but I liked the out-and-back ultra part on a trail by the river. | |
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K. N. from Plano, TX
(6/19/2009)
"Race itself good, but BE PREPARED to get there!" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This is my second time doing Cowtown. I did the marathon in 2006 and the half this year (and WILL be participating all five years for the series-medals - SWEET!!). This year I didn't see anyone directing traffic or assisting with parking. Getting off the highway there's a traffic light, and unfortunately traffic was backed up a good mile on the highway - at 15-20 minutes PAST the start time. :-/. Finding a place to park was a mess; I ended up just parking in a no-parking zone next to everyone else who seemed to opt for it. It would've been MUCH better if there were cops directing traffic into downtown considering the number of people here just for the race. The starting line mats had been taken up, so I found another couple who also arrived late, and we started from the intersection that the program stated, and just started running and hoping for the best. I would've PR'd if the mats were still down at the start - unfortunately, my time was based on gun time (instead of chip time). The race is good, and the view is not bad. It's a pretty easy course - though the past few years have been COLD, so come prepared. :) | |
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N. B. from K.C. Missouri
(3/26/2009)
"Spoiled by Cowtown" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Course: Enjoyed the mix of road/downtown, and paved trails in parks - the only element missing was a dirt or gravel trail. The degree of difficulty is easier then the average of what I've run. I found the hills/rises at the end more of a mental exercise then physical barrier. IF this continues to grow, and IF I ran this for time, I would be unhappy with the crowding presented from the half marathoners on the same course. Once we split off we had free range with little effort required for maneuvering. I ran the marathon, but was able to see the 50K route; this is a good course for first-timers wanting to run 50K with support. Organization: Maybe a few more tables at water stations or spread tables out more to cut back on crowding. I ran past the crowded ones. I was able to get my race packet and shirt faster then any other marathon of the same size. I was unable to pick up/find the finisher shirt and I emailed for it and received it in 1 week, with a reply in 24 hours - UNBELIEVABLE SERVICE! Shirts were really nice - more than one color in the design, artistic and creative. Maybe run some speakers a couple of blocks from the start so we can hear the announcements and start of race back in the 3-hours-or-later groups. I LOVE THE MEDAL AND AM COMING BACK FOR THE 5-YEAR SERIES MEDAL. Spectators: I noticed a few spectators; locals spoke of this as a bad-weather day, but it seemed moderate to me. | |
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j. h. from Philadelphia, Pa
(3/15/2009)
"Texas kind of race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I was looking for very big things from a Texas race. I came all the way from the east side of the USA to run a marathon with big bells and whistles. Keep trying, and thank you for the hometown love. | |
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J. C. from Denton, Texas
(3/12/2009)
"Getting better but still has problems" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 The race has certainly improved in recent years, but it still has a long way to go. The biggest obstacle to this becoming a great race is that the start and the last 2 miles are much, much too crowded. The 10K, half, marathon, and 50K ALL share the last 2 miles. The result: 10K walkers block the way for the half runners. Half walkers block the marathon runners. Slow marathoners block the 50K. It's not acceptable to have run 24 miles and be greeted by an impassible wall of walkers. They need to separate the courses and allow the runners to have a clear path to the finish. | |
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D. S. from Marble Falls, TX
(3/9/2009)
"Enjoyed the Cowtown" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first Cowtown. I've done 5 previous marathons. I know that the Cowtown has gotten some bad press in the past, but I really enjoyed this race. Yes, it was cold and windy, but it was a pretty well-organized race from what I experienced. Only one improvement area that I can mention: I race-walked with the 4:50 pace group, and by the time we hit the first few water stops, it was slim pickens for water. It seemed like more tables at the first few water stops may have helped. But I don't think this was enough to spoil the race. It was a great race! The finisher's shirt is really nice, and they gave us a great medal too. A word about the course: I live near Austin, Texas, and I train on a fair number of hills. I didn't think the course was hilly at all. If you train on hills, I think you would consider these mild, rolling hills at best. If you don't train on hills, perhaps some of the inclines will get your attention. I really appreciate the efforts of all the volunteers, race directors, spectators, and police support that made this race an enjoyable event. Thanks, Fort Worth! | |
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C. J. from Nebraska
(3/9/2009)
"Definitely worth doing!" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Other than the windy conditions, I found very little negative about this race. The course was only mildly hilly. It ran through a good variety of Fort Worth and had enough turns to minimize the impact of the wind. The organization was well done, and the finish, being right downtown, is a perfect place for the marathon to end. If you are looking for big crowds, go to Chicago or New York. Otherwise, I would recommend this race to anyone, as it is one of my favorites so far! | |
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A. B. from Des Moines, IA
(3/7/2009)
"I loved it - ran my fastest time" (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I was a little worried going into the race because of previous reviews, but I actually loved the race! You have to remember that the race features five distances (5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon, full marathon, ultra), and draws HUGE numbers of people, most of whom are not running the marathon. I trained in Des Moines, Iowa during the winter, so I thought that the weather was great (besides the wind) and I didn't think the course was at all hilly. Also, it weaved through some great neighborhoods. It was very scenic. I'll admit, it was a little hectic at the packet pick up, but if you go early, you'll be fine. It seemed chaotic because of the multiple race distances, but nothing a marathoner can't handle. ;) The start was VERY congested. That would be my only complaint. If it weren't for the chip-timer mat, I would not have known where to start. But, since it's chip-timed, it's not super important to get across the start immediately. Overall, great race. It's a small marathon but a huge running event. Bonus: it's not too hard to place in your age group! Definitely give Cowtown a try! | |
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M. E. from Ft Worth, TX
(3/6/2009)
"Cowtown... it gets better every year." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Cowtown Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran this marathon last year, and really enjoyed it, so I came back for more. The wind (20+ MPH) was tough this year, but the course has enough turns in it that you're only directly into the wind for brief periods. The wind helped a lot in the final miles. It is a small-town marathon, so don't expect the wall-to-wall crowds. The weather tends to be windy this time of year and the temperatures can be anywere from 30's to 60's at race time, so be prepared. The extra $10 entry for the short-sleeved tech-T was well worth it. The long-sleeved tech finisher's shirt is also nice. I wasn't so sure I'd like the finisher's medal (1/5 of a complete star), but I think it is pretty cool, even by itself. I ran in the 3:40 pace group, and the aid stations were well stocked when we went through. I'm thinking that if this race keeps getting bigger, they might want to consider placing aid stations on both sides of the street (when appropriate), or having more tables. I'll be back next year. |
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