Heat advisory issued for Cowtown Marathon events Sunday

The organizers of the Cowtown Marathon have issued a heat advisory for all events scheduled for Sunday in downtown Fort Worth.

Heidi Swartz, the executive director of Cowtown, emphasized, “Participant safety is our first priority. All runners and walkers should take every precaution to ensure they’re prepared for these anticipated weather conditions.”

The wheelchair/handcycle race will commence at 6:45 a.m., while all other distances — Half Marathon (13.1 miles), Marathon (26.2 miles), and Miller Lite Ultra Marathon (31.5 miles) — will start at 7 a.m.

Temperatures are forecasted to rise progressively throughout the morning and early afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to begin at 55 degrees at 7 a.m., then steadily increase to 62 degrees at 9 a.m., 71 degrees at 11 a.m., 78 degrees at 1 p.m., and 83 degrees by 3 p.m.

Dr. Jeff Beeson, the medical director of Cowtown, advises, “If you have not exerted yourself in warm temperatures like we anticipate on Sunday, you should strongly consider not running. If you do run, please slow down and hydrate before, during, and after your event, and realize that the temperature will rise as the race progresses and your body becomes more stressed.”

Organizers of the Cowtown Marathon have announced that aid stations will be stationed approximately every 1.5 miles along the course. In addition to water and Gatorade, misters and iced towels will be provided to the runners at these aid stations.