Just finished the 2016 running of the Cowtown Half Marathon in Ft. Worth. This was my 3rd time with the Cowtown (although last year's version was severely affected by ice) and it did not disappoint.
EXPO: Typical large event expo with plenty of vendors. I went early on Friday so it wasn't very crowded and was an absolute breeze to get in and out of with my bib and packet. I would imagine anything needed for the race could have been had at the expo and all vendors were friendly and helpful.
T-SHIRTS: The race shirt is really nice this year with blue stripes down each side of a white shirt. The finisher shirts are dark, which isn't that great for me because I run early in the morning and don't like to wear dark colors, but it's a nice design. The bib had a ticket for a race jacket at the finish which turned out to be the thin, one use type of jacket for staying warm after the race. After getting a cool jacket at the Route 66 in Tulsa, this was a little disappointing.
AID STATIONS: These were all very well done. Plenty of volunteers ready with water or Powerade and all stations matched the format of water first, Powerade second and each was in a different cup. Since I only ran the half marathon, I didn't pay much attention to what food was being offered but there was at least one station giving out Gu packets. There was a kid on the course with a box of doughnut holes and I snagged 2 of those from his box. I assume he was offering them to the runners and I didn't steal a kids' doughnuts, but it was about Mile 11 and I didn't care. Some fruit being at the later stations would have been nice, but again it wasn't expected on the half course.
THE COURSE: I really like this course, it's not hilly but not really flat, either. There are enough rolling hills to make it interesting and the areas the course takes you through are typically active with spectators with a lot to look at. I'm not all that concerned about my time so I like plenty of turns in a course and this one only has one really long straight stretch, I enjoy the change of direction from time to time. The only negatives of the course are two pretty long bridges which are devoid of spectators and don't really go over anything interesting and the run through the Stockyards is on brick paved streets which is tough on the legs. That being said, the spectators and scenery of the Stockyards make this one of the best parts of the course so the bricks are tolerable.
OVERALL: This is a really well managed race with big crowds and great local support. It may be heresy to say, but I say this is a better event than the Metro PCS Dallas Marathon. The only thing to watch out for is the total wild card of Texas weather in February. The same race we fought through ice one year ago and this year we were hoping to get done before the temperatures got into the 70's and it got hot. Highly recommend this event, will stay on my calendar in the years to come.