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Cowtown Half Marathon, Marathon & Ultra
Race Details:
- Location: Fort Worth, TX, USA
- Race Date: 02/26/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Cowtown Half Marathon, Marathon & Ultra Description
The Cowtown Marathon is one of Texas’s largest race weekends, drawing tens of thousands to Fort Worth every late February for a marathon, half marathon, 50K ultra, 10K, and two 5Ks. The Boston-qualifying, mostly-loop course starts near the Stockyards and winds through downtown Fort Worth, Magnolia, TCU, and the Trinity Trail, with rolling hills concentrated in the first two-thirds and a sharp climb waiting at mile 25. Known for its friendly, small-town feel despite its size, Cowtown remains a longtime favorite for a fast time or a first BQ.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Cowtown Half Marathon, Marathon & Ultra Additional Details:
Cowtown is in the middle of a three-year collectible medal series leading up to its 50th anniversary: the 2026 medal is a cowboy hat that doubles as a working bell, 2027 brings a matching boot, and 2028 combines both into the largest medal the race has ever produced, shaped after the Stockyards’ iconic Exchange Avenue arch. Live bands, DJs, and solo musicians show up nearly every mile of the half and full courses, keeping the energy festive from the Stockyards start through downtown. Aid stations arrive roughly every mile and a half, well-staffed and reliable, though runners chasing extra calories on course might want to carry their own gels for the later miles. Running straight through the historic Stockyards district gives this race a sense of place that few big-city marathons can match.
Course Information
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 7.5 hours (full and ultra), 4.5 hours (half)
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 6,700
Marathon: 1,700 to 1,800
Ultramarathon: 250 to 300
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 732 ft
Elevation Loss: 732 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 46°F
- High: 67°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Plans for every ultra distance, from your first one to your longest day yet.
Your bridge into marathons, with a plan built for stepping up the distance.
Structured plans for every experience level, first finish to chasing a new PR.
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced plans to get you to the start line ready.
Things to Do in Fort Worth, TX, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Food & Drink
Mule Alley
Sample Texas barbecue and cold drinks along Mule Alley in the Stockyards, home to restaurants inside restored horse and mule barns — a relaxed way to celebrate the finish line.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Wander 120 acres of gardens at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, one of the oldest botanic gardens in the Southwest — a relaxed, scenic way to spend a rest day.
Shopping
Sundance Square
Browse shops, dining, and live music along the 37-block Sundance Square entertainment district in downtown Fort Worth — an easy, flat, walkable stroll for a post-race souvenir.
Landmark
Fort Worth Stockyards
Watch the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive at the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, the city’s iconic Wild West district — an easy, mostly-flat way to sightsee after race weekend.
Arts & Culture
Kimbell Art Museum
See works by Michelangelo, Picasso, and Monet at the Kimbell Art Museum, one of the finest small art museums in the country — a relaxed, indoor way to spend a taper day.
Outdoors & Trails
Trinity Trails
Bike or walk a flat stretch of the Trinity Trails, more than 100 miles of paved paths winding through Fort Worth along the Trinity River — easy on tired legs after race day.
Sports & Entertainment
Billy Bob’s Texas
Two-step or just take in a show at Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk in the historic Stockyards — a relaxed, low-impact night out after race day.
Museums & History
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
Celebrate the women of the American West at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth’s Cultural District — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race day.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Fort Worth Zoo
See one of the nation’s top-rated zoos at the Fort Worth Zoo, home to a wide variety of wildlife across a walkable campus — a flat, self-paced outing for recovering legs.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Cowtown Half Marathon, Marathon & Ultra
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