Stephen Montoya
From the left, Cowtown volunteers and chair members Doug Howard, Kevin Kett, marathon executive director Heidi Schwartz, Jeanice Kett, and Barbara Anderson.
Since 1979, the last week of February has been earmarked for one of Fort Worth’s most beloved events, the Cowtown Marathon. And every year since then, as the sun rises over the city, a small army of volunteers gathers in the cool predawn air, ready to orchestrate the largest multi-event road race in North Texas. For over four decades, this race has grown from a humble event into a community-wide celebration that attracts participants from all over the world, symbolizing the spirit and dedication of Fort Worth.
This multi-race extravaganza actually draws more than 26,000 participants annually. Runners come from all corners of the world, including 14 different countries. In 2025, the race registered 26,206 participants, the highest since 2015 when an ice storm caused the cancellation of most events. Runners traveled from every U.S. state and as far as France and Canada, adding up to a total of 2,283,707 miles logged by participants.
“It’s amazing to see the race grow year after year,” says Heidi Schwartz, the marathon’s executive director. “This community is truly invested in the Cowtown Marathon. It’s not just a race — it’s a tradition that brings us all together.”
But no race would be complete without the crew of volunteers behind the scenes, ensuring the event runs smoothly from start to finish. The planning for the Cowtown Marathon begins months in advance, but the real work intensifies in the final weeks leading up to race day. “We have volunteers year-round, but it really picks up in August,” Schwartz says.
The logistics are nothing short of staggering: organizing water stations, ensuring medical support, distributing finisher medals, and keeping the course clean. With thousands of volunteers, it’s a monumental team effort. As Schwartz points out, the race wouldn’t be possible without their incredible dedication: "This is my dream job because I get to work with amazing people, and I get to impact the community."
The numbers alone tell the story of the Cowtown Marathon’s scale: 18,000 bananas, 10,000 biscuits, 25,000 Blue Bell Ice Cream Bars, 350,000 paper cups, and over 300 police officers, just to name a few.
While the excitement of race day might be over for the runners now, for the many volunteers involved, the work for this year’s event is still ongoing.
“There’s a marathon of clean-up and tear-down activities that happens after the marathon,” Schwartz verifies. “We take pride in making sure the 31-mile course is left cleaner than it was before.”
Immediately after the final runners cross the finish line, volunteers and staff members begin the monumental task of packing up and cleaning. Crews are dispatched to gather up signage, water stations, and other race materials. At Will Rogers, staff dismantle start and finish lines, and volunteers sort and pack leftover food and supplies.
"People don’t realize how much effort goes into it," says Doug Howard, a volunteer and a Cowtown chairmember. “We walk over 26,000 steps just picking up trash.”
Image courtesy of The Cowtown
As part of its commitment to sustainability, the Cowtown Marathon is a certified green race. Cardboard is recycled, cans and bottles are collected separately, and food waste is composted with help from Cowboy Compost in Fort Worth. Every effort is made to minimize the environmental impact of the event.
Another important post-race effort is the recovery and donation of discarded clothing. Volunteers collect jackets, gloves, blankets, and other items left behind along the route. These items are transported to the Cowtown warehouse in Westcliff, where they’re laundered, sorted, and organized for athletes to reclaim in the weeks following the race. Any unclaimed clothing is donated to Union Gospel, the Salvation Army, and Under the Bridge Fort Worth.
At the core of the Cowtown Marathon’s success are the thousands of volunteers who make it all possible. To show appreciation, a special volunteer-only half marathon is held each year, allowing those who help with the event to experience it firsthand. It’s just one of the many ways the marathon honors its dedicated volunteers.
“Volunteers are the heart and soul of this event,” Schwartz says. “This race wouldn’t happen without them. It’s a community effort, and we’re so grateful for the people who dedicate their time to making it happen.”
Another initiative that “takes a village” of volunteers to complete is the Children's Activities for Life & Fitness (CALF) program, which provides new running shoes to underprivileged children. Each year, over 5,400 pairs of shoes are distributed to students at 112 local schools, offering more than just footwear — it’s an opportunity for health and well-being.
“The impact of the CALF program goes far beyond shoes,” says Schwartz. “It gives children a sense of empowerment. It provides them with the tools to live healthier lives, to exercise, and to feel confident.”
Distributing this many shoes and socks requires a dedicated team of volunteers to keep the initiative going. The program embodies the heart of the Cowtown Marathon: providing opportunities for the next generation to grow, succeed, and thrive.
For husband-and-wife volunteers and chair members Kevin and Jeanice Kett, helping children who may not have otherwise had new shoes for the school year is well worth the logistical challenges they face.
“We started our first couple of schools before Christmas, and then it really picks up after the new year,” Kevin says. “We have a mobile shoe shop, and we roll into schools with shoes organized by size. Volunteers unload the shoes, and we fit them on the kids. We do four or five schools a day sometimes, all the way up until the day before the race.”
The couple also plays a key role in organizing other event logistics. “Before race day, we help with everything from sorting registration materials to setting up the venue and packing race-day supplies,” Kevin says. “It's a big effort, but it’s rewarding to see the impact we make, especially when you see those kids wearing their new shoes.”
He adds, “On race day, when you’re surrounded by thousands of runners, there’s this palpable energy. You realize just how special this event is — there’s no way to have a bad day. It’s a huge community effort, and I’m so proud to be part of it.”
As the Cowtown Marathon continues to evolve, its mission remains the same: to promote health, fitness, and community spirit. The marathon’s legacy is more than just about crossing the finish line. It's about building lasting connections, inspiring future generations, and continuing the tradition of fitness and service.
This year marked the 47th running of the Cowtown Marathon, and as always, the race didn’t end when the last runner crossed the finish line. With over 26,000 participants from all 50 states and 14 countries, the marathon proved once again why it’s the largest multi-event road race in North Texas. And it’s only growing.
For those who rise before dawn to hand out water, for the kids who lace up their new shoes, for the runners pushing through their final miles — this is more than just a marathon. This is Cowtown.
Next year’s Cowtown weekend will take place from Feb. 27 to Mar. 1, 2026. For more information, visit: www.cowtownmarathon.org.
