Next race
Saturday, 27 February 2027
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Flat · 50 m gain
50 m climbing
Race profile
The Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each February through the historic Stockyards and downtown of Texas's cowboy capital. The course passes the Fort Worth Stockyards, the Trinity River, and the Cultural District on flat North Texas terrain. February's mild Texas winter and the Western-heritage atmosphere make it a beloved regional marathon.
Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 2,500 finishers
Course & terrain
The Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon is an urban road that starts and finishes at the Fort Worth Stockyards or downtown festival area. The loop passes the Stockyards National Historic District, the Trinity River trails, and the Cultural District. The flat profile keeps rhythm steady throughout, with only minor bridge ramps or short rises interrupting otherwise even pacing. Spectators gather at the start-finish festival and at organised cheer zones through the city centre and along the main boulevards.
The Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon course is flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
Registration
For the Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon, the Cowtown Marathon is held in February, typically on the fourth Saturday. Registration is at https://cowtownmarathon.org/.
Getting there
Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (FTW)
11 km / 7 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Fort Worth.
The Dallas Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers on an urban road in Dallas, United States. The course starts and finishes at Dallas City Hall. The route passes Dealey Plaza, White Rock Lake, and the Katy Trail. Mostly flat with gentle undulations.
Next race: Sunday, 13 December 2026
The Austin Marathon attracts about 10,000 finishers each February through Texas's capital city. The course passes the State Capitol, the University of Texas campus, and the rolling hills of south Austin with live music at multiple stages. February mild Texas weather and the 'Live Music Capital of the World' race atmosphere make it one of the largest marathons in the Southwest.
Next race: Sunday, 14 February 2027
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon honours the 168 victims of the 1995 Murrah Building bombing, drawing approximately 1,951 finishers each April. The course passes the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the Bricktown district, and the Oklahoma River trails on flat prairie terrain. April's Oklahoma spring and the race's powerful remembrance mission make it one of America's most meaningful marathons.
Next race: Friday, 23 April 2027
The Woodlands Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each March on a suburban road in The Woodlands, United States. It is Texas's most prominent spring BQ-focused marathon outside the major-city winter races. The course passes waterway corridors, pine-lined residential boulevards, and packed spectator zones in the town center. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027
The Houston Marathon draws approximately 8,500 finishers on an urban road in Houston, United States. The course starts and finishes at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The route passes Hermann Park, Rice University, and the Galleria area. Very flat — one of the fastest winter marathons in the US.
Next race: Sunday, 17 January 2027
The San Antonio Marathon draws approximately 3,342 finishers each December on an urban road in San Antonio, United States. It launched in 2025 as a local replacement for the discontinued Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and drew more than 3,300 marathon finishers in its debut. The course passes the Alamo, the River Walk, historic missions, and South Texas neighborhoods before looping back through the city core. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
Which US marathons produce Boston qualifiers in practice — course data, typical BQ rates, and how to match a race to your qualifying window.
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
