calendar icon Sep 19, 2024

Cowtown Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Cowtown Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.0 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.4 
 
 
Number of comments: 184 [displaying comments 151 to 161]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 > ]

 

R. H. from Texas, United States (6/8/2004)
"Okay marathon, but not the best in Texas" (about: 2004)

2 previous marathons | 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 1


I had run Houston in January and have run about 3 half-marathons and compared to Houston, the Cowtown Marathon is lacking in many categories. The course itself is okay, some of the volunteers are pretty rude and the awards are unfairly distributed. I came in second place overall female and I do not think I will be running it again next year because of all of my negative feelings towards the race.

Houston is a much better race, I think it makes a great first marathon, the course is flat and scenic, lots of fans, very friendly volunteers (one even wiped my nose for me and waited with me 'til my ride got there at the finish), and it was not overpopulated (you had space, but still had the camaraderie of a pace group). The Cowtown is the complete reverse - no one cheering you on and rude volunteers, no finisher t-shirt or great medal or trophy for placing high.

 

L. S. from Dallas, Tx. (3/8/2004)
"I've run better marathons" (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 2


This marathon needs a few more things to make it a pretty good marathon. First, paper cups work a lot better than plastic ones so you can squeeze the top and drink on the run. Second, having the mile markers in the correct locations is a real plus, (I had a difficult time gauging my pace). Thirdly, massage tables at the end are important for runners who have aching or cramping muscles. I did enjoy starting and finishing in downtown Fort Worth, but don't plan on running this one again.

 

G. R. from Lawton, Okla. (3/3/2004)
"Ft. Worth is a great city" (about: 2004)

First Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 2


The Cowtown Marathon was my first marathon. I enjoyed it enough to say that I will be back next year. I don't know how it compares to other marathons, but I will say that I needed and expected more food and sports drinks on the course. I also want to say that I have traveled all over the world in the army and I will tell you that I have never seen so many friendly, helpful, and polite citizens and police officers as you have in Ft. Worth, Tx. People of Ft. Worth and the FTWPD, I thank you for a very enjoyable stay in your city.

 

Sam Balandran from Fort Worth, Texas (3/2/2004)
"Enjoyed Every Step!" (about: 2004)

50+ previous marathons | 6+ Cowtown Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


I enjoyed every step! The weather was perfect, the south wind did push me back a few steps now and then, the course was great, the second half (13 miles to the finish) added to my runner's high, the last two miles gave the marathon its signature of 'its up to you' and the finish was a closing to a great race! Naturally, there are a few 'bugs' to iron out for next year. However, I have full confidence those 'bugs' will be addressed and corrected. This was my 17th Cowtown Marathon and my 88th marathon in 20 years. I plan to run Cowtown again and again and again! A marathon is a personal challenge!

 

R. S. from Texas (3/2/2004)
"Zero Organization Points" (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 1  FANS: 1


This was my 6th marathon and 1st (& last) Cowtown Marathon. First of all, really comfortable and relatively flat course. Started out OK but when I didn't see ANYTHING beyond an occasional water stop prior to mile 10, I knew this one was going to bust. And there, at mile 10, a guy holding a bag of tootsie rolls. Also practically NO porta-potties! Only ones I saw were at the relay hand-off stations and those were swapped by the relay 'runners' and their well-wishers. Though I honestly didn't have enough fluid in me to use the facilities, I'm sure the Ft. Worth residents along the route truly appreciated the runners who had NO choice but to go in their yards. Worst marathon organization/planning job I've seen so far. A disgrace to the City of Fort Worth. HOWEVER, fantastic job by the UNT-HSC volunteers AND the FT. police and fire departments!!!

 

J. S. from Grapevine (3/1/2004)
"Needs improvement!!" (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 4-5 Cowtown Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 3


This is my 4th Cowtown and plan to run it again next year. However, next time my water bottle will have more than just water. I was counting on drinking Gatorade the last half of the course, but to my surprise there was none found. Kudos to the Grapevine Runners Club for gaving me a cup when I needed it most. Thanks guys. Overall, I enjoyed the course. The last couple of miles are the most challenging.

 

M. B. from Fort Worth, TX (3/1/2004)
"Course was better, no Gatorade until 18!!!!" (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 1


I've run the Cowtown once and the relay once. The course is improved, but the traffic seemed tied in knots along University. I'm still not sure it's the best course. The water stops were good, but where was the Gatorade? Conventional wisdom encourages Gatorade every other water stop. I saw lots of people who could have used some Gu or food--especially those of us who are slower runners.

The crowd support was poor. There were some 'interesting' people such as the Irish dancers and the group in the park, but they were few and far between. I also was disappointed not to receive a finisher t-shirt. While Cowtown never has had them, a lot of marathons do provide finisher shirts. There was food at the end for the slower runners which has not always been the case. However, I did miss the atmosphere of the stockyards. It's a little less picturesque without it.

 

Brandy Meyer-Zeck from Houston, Texas (3/1/2004)
"Not a lot of people, but a beautiful run." (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Cowtown Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


If you enjoy running, this is the race for you. You can kick back and enjoy the ride. If you enjoy the attention, then you may want to pass. There was less than 1000 runners and even less spectators. Fort Worth seems to be a simple town, with simple people, which makes for a very nice run. The people were great, and the course was beautiful.

 

S. D. from TX (3/1/2004)
"Respectfully, DO NOT RUN THIS COURSE" (about: 2004)

4-5 previous marathons | 4-5 Cowtown Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 2


The City of Fort Worth can do better than this. Great volunteers can't make up for poor race management and precious little support. A new course is a good start but the 'every man for himself' ideal doesn't cut it. Thanks for the support from the FWPD, FWFD, and all the volunteers.

 

J. J. from Fort Worth (3/1/2004)
"Not the best" (about: 2004)

4-5 previous marathons | 3 Cowtown Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 2  FANS: 2


This is the third time that I ran the Marathon Relay. I really felt sorry for those doing the entire marathon. There was no Powerade at any of the stations that I passed. I did the last leg of the marathon and people were really hurting. They could have used more food and something other than water at that point. Plus, some stations had plastic cups which make it even more difficult to drink out of. I have done several other marathon relays outside of FW and this one was one of the worst I have seen. When I get ready to do a full marathon, I will not choose the Cowtown. Hats off to all those that completed the entire marathon despite the lack of food and Powerade. I don't know how you did it!

 

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