The short version: Cowtown is February 27–28, 2027 at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth: the 5K, Kids 5K and 10K on Saturday, then the half, full and 50K ultra on Sunday, all at 7:00 a.m. Right now (through December 3) the base price is $140 for the half, $155 for the full and $160 for the ultra, rising $25 on December 4. The full and ultra are Boston qualifiers, and the cutoff is a generous 7.5 hours. There are no refunds or deferrals, but transfers are free until December 31.
Cowtown shares February 28 with the El Paso Marathon and comes two weeks after the Austin Marathon. It is also one of the biggest: Running USA reported more than 29,000 registrants from all 50 states in 2026, a registration record. Everything below is from Cowtown’s site and its Race Roster registration page, checked October 1, 2026.
Weekend at a glance
| Race | Day | Start | Price now (base) | From Dec. 4 | Time limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | Sat., Feb. 27 | 7:00 a.m. | $50 | $55 | 1.5 hrs |
| Kids 5K | Sat., Feb. 27 | 9:45 a.m. | $50 | $55 | 1.5 hrs |
| 10K | Sat., Feb. 27 | 7:00 a.m. | $60 | $65 | 2.5 hrs |
| Half marathon | Sun., Feb. 28 | 7:00 a.m. | $140 | $165 | 4.5 hrs |
| Full marathon | Sun., Feb. 28 | 7:00 a.m. | $155 | $180 | 7.5 hrs |
| Ultra (50K) | Sun., Feb. 28 | 7:00 a.m. | $160 | $185 | 7.5 hrs |
Prices are Cowtown’s base prices from the Race Roster price chart; taxes and fees add roughly $6–$15 (the half is $153.10 all-in today). Time limits start when the last corral crosses. Later tiers open January 8 and February 5, and the expo-day prices are highest of all: $200 for the half, $225 for the full and $240 for the ultra. Half marathoners must be 14 or older; full and ultra runners 18 or older.
The fine print: no refunds, free transfers until Dec. 31
- No refunds or deferrals. Cowtown says it has a 49-year policy of not offering either. The only way to get money back is FanShield registration protection, if you bought it.
- Transfers and distance changes are free until December 31 at midnight, then $30, paid by the new runner. Switching between virtual and in-person counts too. Moving up a distance means paying the price difference from your original sign-up date.
- January 24 is the last day to join a team or change your predicted pace or corral.
- Online registration closes February 26 at 11:59 p.m., unless a distance fills first. If there’s room, you can register at the expo.
- Combo entries: the Cowtown Challenge adds $25 to run one Saturday race and one Sunday race, for an extra medal and challenge gear. Bundles (5K or 10K plus a Sunday race) are listed on the price chart.
The course: Stockyards, Main Street, Sundance Square
Every race starts and finishes at Will Rogers Memorial Center in the Cultural District. The longer courses head north to the Fort Worth Stockyards (about mile 6, “along the bricks”), then come down Main Street, the longest straightaway, into downtown. At mile 8, the Main Street bridge is the Blue Mile, a silent mile honoring fallen military and first responders. Runners reach Sundance Square at about mile 9.5, and the half splits from the full at mile 10.
Marathoners continue past the TCU campus, Bluebonnet Circle and the Foster Park Trail, past Colonial Country Club and near the Fort Worth Zoo, through Overton Park around mile 20, and onto the Trinity Trails around mile 23 before finishing back at Will Rogers. Water stops are every 1.5 miles on every course, with Gatorade throughout and gels on the half, full and ultra. The 2027 course maps aren’t posted yet, and the race hasn’t announced changes.
Expo and packet pickup
- Where: Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall, Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave. Free and open to the public, with about 80 to 100 vendors.
- When: Friday, February 26, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturday, February 27, 6 a.m.–5 p.m.
- No Sunday packet pickup. Half, full and ultra runners must get their bibs by Saturday afternoon.
Boston qualifier, pacers and the 2026 winners
The race says the full and ultra are Boston Marathon qualifiers. Pacers run the Sunday races on chip time, and the 2027 pace team will be announced in early 2027. If you are aiming for a BQ, read our Boston 2027 cutoff explainer first.
In 2026, the 48th running, Matt Campbell won the marathon in 2:37:22 and Sadie Smith in 2:59:37, according to Cowtown’s results page. In the ultra, Mckale Montgomery ran 3:33:11 to finish first overall, which Running USA called a first for a woman in the race’s 18-year ultra history. Sergio Mena (1:07:02) and Jennifer Pope (1:19:42) won the half.
Running for kids: C.A.L.F.
Cowtown’s nonprofit program, C.A.L.F. (Children’s Activities for Life & Fitness), started in 2009. The race says it visits about 400 North Texas schools a year and has given more than 60,000 pairs of running shoes and entry-fee grants over the past 15 years. A C.A.L.F. supporter bib costs more than a regular entry; the race says the extra is a tax-deductible donation, and the bib includes VIP hospitality.
Not sure Cowtown is your race?
- Want a fall marathon instead? The Fort Worth Marathon is November 8 on a USATF-certified course, and San Antonio is December 6 (our guide).
- Same weekend, different city: the El Paso Marathon is also February 28 and finishes downtown on a net decline.
- Just want a February half? Compare options on the Texas half marathon calendar, or see every marathon in Texas.
- Training plan: 21 weeks out is plenty of time. Build an easy base first with our zone 2 guide, or use the run-walk method for a first marathon.
