FORT WORTH, Texas — Organizers of The Cowtown Marathon have officially revealed the collectible design of the highly anticipated 2026 Sunday finisher medal. The medal—awarded to Half Marathon, Full Marathon, and Ultra Marathon finishers—celebrates Fort Worth’s cowtown heritage in bold, iconic fashion.
The 2026 medal, a cowboy hat and functioning bell, is the first in a limited-edition, three-year medal series that will culminate at The Cowtown’s 50th Anniversary race in 2028. The series was designed to encourage repeat participation, offering runners a meaningful reminder of their achievement—and a fun challenge to complete the set.
In 2027, runners will earn a matching cowboy boot (also functioning as a bell), followed in 2028 by the largest Cowtown medal ever presented: inspired by the Stockyards’ iconic Exchange Avenue arch, designed to display the hat and boot together in a commemorative tribute to the race’s golden milestone.
“We wanted to create a medal that truly reflects the heart of this race and the dedication of our runners,” said Heidi Swartz, Executive Director of The Cowtown. “Every year, this reveal is a moment of excitement and motivation for our community.”
If runners miss a race within this three-year series, no worry, they have the option to earn their medal through Cowtown’s Blast From the Past Program and still collect them all.
The 2026 Cowtown Marathon weekend takes place February 28 – March 1, 2026 and includes a full lineup of events: Adults 5K, Kids 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, and Ultra Marathon. Runners from across the country and around the world participate annually, with many expected to return for the opportunity to begin this exclusive three-year medal journey.
To register any race distance, visit cowtownmarathon.org. A price increase takes place on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at midnight.
For more information or to view the 2026 medal, cowtownmarathon.org.
ABOUT THE COWTOWN: The 48th running of The Cowtown will take place on February 28 – March 1, 2026 at Will Rogers Memorial Center. Run annually, The Cowtown is a Fort Worth tradition and an international destination sporting event. In-person races include the Adult 5K, Kids 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, and Ultra Marathon. Virtual options to run all distances are available. Proceeds from The Cowtown benefit the C.A.L.F. Program. The Cowtown 2025 is powered by Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth.
The Cowtown C.A.L.F. (Children’s Activities for Life and Fitness) Program: Since 2009, The Cowtown’s C.A.L.F. Program has been inspiring kids across North Texas to fall in love with fitness. Each year, we visit over 100 schools to teach students proper running techniques and share tips on staying healthy—like keeping hydrated, eating right, and staying active. Through our school grant program, we help children from low-income families by providing them with properly fitted running shoes and affordable race entry fees. Thanks to this program, more than 65,000 kids have achieved the incredible milestone of running a 5K in the last 16 years.
The Cowtown Blast from the Past: This is a virtual run program offering registrants the opportunity to win any Half, Full, or Ultra distance medal from 2022 to the present. This helps runners complete the medal series of preference. The program includes a downloadable bib, a shirt from the year selected (while supplies last), and a discount for the next year’s live race.