The modern marathon runner can endure plenty of obstacles. Abrgrueling 26.2-mile race certainly should not be attempted by the faint ofbrheart. But even die-hards breathed a sigh of relief this past December when icybrroad conditions caused the cancellation of the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon — afterbrall, running outdoors in freezing temperatures is one thing. Running inbrtemperatures nearing the single digits is another.
Fortunately, Fort Worth's Cowtownbrmarathon, already the biggest multi-race in Texas, offered discounted rates forbrthose affected. The move was met with widespread interest from the runningbrworld as registration rates soared, swelling the ranks of runners signing upbrfor the race way past last year's participating levels.
This means great things not just for the anticipated 30,000brrunners lacing up and their admirers, but also for the children of North Texas.
The 36-year-old race, a fundraiserbrfor Cowtown Children's Activities for Life & Fitness (CALF), offers plentybrof opportunities for the young and young-at-heart to take part, including thebrCook Children's 5K on Sat., Feb. 22, held at the same time as the 10K andbrhalf-marathon races.
The Cowtown CALF program emphasizesbrthe importance of good physical fitness in the community by working with localbrschools and community centers in teaching proper running, training and nutritionbrto area youth in preparation for a lifetime of fitness. Indeed, more than 3,300bryouths received grants to participate in the race in addition to the trainingbroffered year-round.
For those who prefer their exercisebrin non-running form, the race still encourages participation! You can pick yourbrown spot to cheer on the runners, many of them average North Texans, as theybrattempt an iconic feat of human achievement, or you can join in on one of thebrmany activities planned along the way.
Head to Will Rogers Memorial Centerbrto take part in pre-race activities and offer words of encouragement to racers,bror move 10 kilometers down the race path to Billy Bob's famous music hall wherebryou'll be joining U.S. Marines and Boy Scouts as they offer their own “hoorahs”brto the racers. Near Sundance Square, you can stop to witness the fleet-footedbrpass the 10-mile mark, or head further into the marathon for our personalbrfavorite watching party, located at Fairmount Park, where the HistoricbrFairmount Neighborhood Association will be hosting Pancakes in the Park. At milebr19, Prevent Blindness and Southwest High School invites you to join them atbrFoster Park to say howdy to the runners. Or head all the way to end of the racebrto witness the ultimate in athletic endurance as runners make their way pastbrthe finish line to the embrace of glorious metallic blankets and well-earnedbrpancakes and beers (for the 21-and-up only, of course), located at Will RodgersbrMemorial Center.
However you choose to participatebrin Cowtown, you can be sure you're supporting an event that provides a lifetimebrof athletic lessons for area youth through the ultimate in athleticbrachievement.