FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 29, 2020

USA TRACK AND FIELD HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS MAKE FIRST-EVER APPEARANCE IN FORT WORTH IN 2021

Race to be held in conjunction with Cowtown Marathon in 2021 and 2023

 

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (February 29, 2020) – The USA Track and Field Half Marathon Championships (USATF) will make its first-ever appearance in Fort Worth next year, running in conjunction with the Cowtown Marathon on February 28, 2021.
 
The race will return to Fort Worth on February 26, 2023. This is the first time for the event to be held in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The USATF Half Marathon Championships determines the men’s and women’s American National Champions. 
 
“Each year, The Cowtown Marathon brings international running recognition to the City of Fort Worth,” said Heidi Swartz, executive director of The Cowtown Marathon. “This recognition translates directly into local support of youth health initiatives. We applied to partner with Visit Fort Worth, the City of Fort Worth and USATF in 2021 and 2023 to put both our race and our hometown on an elevated stage. By hosting the Half Marathon Championships in Texas, we will increase awareness within key markets of competitive athletes, health enthusiasts and sports media that our town is a healthy, active town. It is our collective goal to bring energy, entertainment through sports to Fort Worth, thereby contributing in greater ways to the health of future generations.”

The Fort Worth Sports Commission and The Cowtown Marathon are the local partners for the 2021 and 2023 USATF Half Marathon Championships.
 
“Being selected as the host city for 2021 and 2023 USA Track and Field Half Marathon Championships is a huge win for Fort Worth,” said Jason Sands, director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission at Visit Fort Worth.
 
“The Cowtown Marathon is a staple in this community and one of the best race weekends in the country. Our community is thrilled to showcase the city and partner with the Cowtown Marathon and its staff to execute an amazing championship experience fan the fans, athletes and coaches.”

USATF runners will kick off race day activities ahead of Cowtown Marathon participants.
 
A tentative schedule of events includes:  

Saturday, February 27, 2021
10K – 7:00 a.m.
Adults 5K – 8:30 a.m.
Kids 5K presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors – 9:30 a.m.
 
Sunday, February 28, 2021
USATF Half Marathon Championship
Half Marathon – 7:00 a.m.
Full Marathon  – 7:00 a.m.
Ultra Marathon presented by MillerLite – 7:00 a.m.
Healthy Hig Relay – 7:00 a.m.
 
USATF showcases the most elite runners in the country and world. The race has featured some local runners such as Elizabeth Northern, who competed in 2015 and placed 37th in the Women’s race with a time of 1:17:45. Northern is a 5-time Cowtown winner in every distance. She is a product of the Cowtown C.A.L.F. -- Children’s Activities for Life and Fitness -- an initiative of the Cowtown Marathon created in 2009 to promote a lifelong love of fitness. Elizabeth now has sights set on the Olympic team as she competes in the 2020 Olympic Trials, her second appearance in the race.
 
Promotion of this event will increase exposure of Fort Worth and The Cowtown Marathon over the next three years as USATF uses national channels and Runners World magazine to inform elite training groups about the venue, course and city.
 
The race is expected to draw more than 400 elite runners to the already prestigious Cowtown Marathon, which has an average participation of 23,000+ athletes.
 
The Cowtown Marathon has an annual economic impact of $10.4 million to which this championship will increase.
 
For more information about USA Track and Field click here and for the latest sports news and updates visit www.FortWorth.com/sports. Follow @FortWorthSports on Instagram and Twitter and @ftworthsports on Facebook.

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Fort Worth Sports Commission.  The Fort Worth Sports Commission advances the city as an international sports destination.  A division of Visit Fort Worth, the Sports Commission attracts youth, collegiate and professional events that deliver economic impact and boost Fort Worth’s image. The Commission supports development of and access to facilities that enhance the quality of life for all Fort Worth. For more information, visit www.FortWorth.com/Sports.

The Cowtown Marathon: The Cowtown Marathon, the largest multi-event road race in North Texas, with 7 distance options, has a $10.4 million annual economic impact in Fort Worth. The Cowtown Kids 5K is one of the largest youth races in the nation with more than 8,000 athletes. The 42nd annual Cowtown is scheduled for Friday, February 28 through Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The proceeds from The Cowtown go directly to The C.A.L.F. Program, promoting a lifelong love of fitness for thousands of area children. For more information, visit cowtownmarathon.org.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Sarah Covington, Assistant Director of PR
sarahcovington@fortworth.com or 817-730-5022