The 1997 version of the Cowtown marathon course was a lot different than today's. The biggest difference was that it started and finished in the Historic Stockyards, as opposed to the Will Rogers Memorial Center. It traveled more northern and western sections of Ft. Worth, but still included the stretches along TCU, the Colonial golf course, and the Trinity Trail. The Cowtown marathon of today is probably just as hilly of a course as it was back then, maybe even a bit more. Not that the hilly course was a deterrent to choosing this marathon back then. I was a fan of Cowtown for years, but mainly because I'd run the 10K every year, if not the 3 person relay. (There was no half marathon back then). The 10K had a ridiculously long hill in it, which by the way, is now in the current version of the marathon!
Amy and I had just ran the Marine Corps marathon that fall and really wanted to turn around and run another one the following season. Cowtown appealed to us both for many reasons, but one big reason was that it was a local race where friends and family could cheer us on. The course ran past her parent's street, so as we ran by they were standing on the corner. That was the most memorable moment of the marathon for us, because it was a big deal that Amy's dad made it out to watch her run by, as he was very sick. Amy still has a picture he took of us, and if I get a copy of it I will add it here later.
Amy and I ran together for a good portion of the marathon, but eventually had to split up and find our own pace to settle into. Amy was faster than me, but would have to stop at the porta potties, so I'd yell "HEY AMY" as I ran by and she'd eventually catch me. Such was the advantage to running a smaller race. We went back and forth like that to the end (I think), finishing within a minute or two of each other.
The Cowtown marathon has always gotten a bad rap, but personally, I enjoyed the course. My least favorite part of the marathon was running through the old Tandy parking lot near the end, but that section isn't in the current version of the marathon. I continue to toy with the idea of running the newer version someday.
I don't have any interesting details about my race on that day because the race went surprisingly well, in fact, it had been my "easiest" so far, even with the hills. We had perfect weather, we paced well, and I ended up running a PR time of 3:48. The photo below is my finish line photo as we turned onto the brick lined, downhill run through the Stockyards. It's still one of my favorite finish line memories, and every time we run \\ this stretch during the current half marathon course it brings me back. Yes, back then I ran for Run-On, hence the mandatory advertising!
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| Amy! |
Back then we didn't get finisher's medals. We got the boot! As much as I love my medals, this was pretty cool.
See some familiar faces in our finish line fan club? Back then a lot of local Dallas runners would make the trek to Ft. Worth. My parents ran the 10K, which used to be held on the same day. Afterwards, we would head to Joe T Garcias, a tradition! Since then the marathon and half marathon have been moved to Sunday.
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| Finish line fan club! |
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| Yep! A boot and a beer=happiness! |
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