Tuesday, February 11, 2025
In February 1979, runners lined up at the start of the first Cowtown Marathon. What
began as a simple idea to inspire people to live more actively has since evolved into
a beloved Fort Worth tradition.
Promoting an active lifestyle
The marathon’s organizers promoted an active lifestyle — an idea rooted in the principles of osteopathic medicine. The transition from concept to action was brought to fruition through the formation of the Institute for Human Fitness, created by Drs. Bob Kaman, Bob Patton, Charlie Ogilvie and faculty from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, now one of six colleges that make up The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. To ensure people were receiving the best possible care, the institute developed a comprehensive plan that included a laboratory, fitness center and wellness clinic – all of which were completed by the winter of 1979.
Before the doors of the institute even opened, the team brainstormed the best way to promote it and settled on the idea of a marathon. Today, that 26.2-mile race is widely known as the Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon — one of the top races in North Texas. In collaboration with the institute, TCOM faculty members worked tirelessly to plan the inaugural race, which took place the last Saturday of February 1979.
Runners in recent years know that the Cowtown Marathon often falls on one of the coldest weekends of February, and 1979 was no exception. Just before the race, one of the harshest cold fronts, known as a “blue norther,” swept through. Despite the freezing temperatures, the inaugural Cowtown Marathon was a success. Through the years, it has grown into one of the largest marathons in North Texas and now features a 5K, 10K and half marathon in addition to the full race.
“The weather in North Texas is always the untamable beast,” said Dr. Jeff Beeson, HSC interim executive vice president of health systems and vice president of clinical partnerships and initiatives. “We have started the race in freezing temperatures and, by that afternoon, had temperatures that can lead to heat strokes for runners.”
The marathon today
As TCOM grew , its partnership with the Cowtown Marathon expanded. Today , HSC serves as the official medical sponsor of the race. In 2024, HSC contributed 215 volunteers – 20 of which were faculty and staff – from HSC Health, TCOM, College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, College of Nursing, College of Health Professions, College of Pharmacy and College of Public Health. Together, these volunteers dedicated 1,299 service hours to support the 18,336 runners.
Beeson, also an HSC assistant professor, has been involved in the Cowtown Marathon for more than 40 years and now serves as the marathon’s medical director. Beeson shared that volunteering for the marathon not only helps HSC student volunteers earn approved TOUCH hours toward their degrees, but it also provides a way for them to get out in the community, help others and apply what they’ve learned.
“Volunteering at the Cowtown Marathon is a great opportunity for our students to put into practice what they are learning in the classroom,” Beeson said. “It also reinforces the importance of giving back to our community by supporting activities that improve health and wellness.”
Volunteers are placed at various fluid stations throughout the racecourse, as well as a medical tent where they help runners with injuries or general hydration. HSC students are placed on the front lines if a runner experiences a medical incident.
Medical volunteers go into race weekend prepared for anything, from a minor to a major medical incident. A medical incident could include dehydration, heat illness, nausea, cramps, blisters or high blood glucose. An incident can also include the more severe and dreaded instances like when an HSC staff heroically performed CPR to help resuscitate a runner who collapsed right after crossing the finish line.
“Being part of the Cowtown Marathon for all these years has been a gift,” Beeson said. “Knowing that our HSC is supporting the Cowtown Marathon, which in return supports the C.A.L.F., or Children’s Activities for Life and Fitness programs, is living our HSC mission to create solutions for a healthier community.”
From HSC Newsroom - Community by Libby Maness