For nearly five decades, the Cowtown Marathon has brought the Fort Worth community together. This year, alongside stories of personal triumph, powerful acts of remembrance unfolded on the course.

Runners Erica Grone, Emily Lemoine, and Mike Donnelly also took part with wear blue: run to remember, a national nonprofit that creates living memorials through the steps of athletes and the presence of volunteers. Through a Circle of Remembrance before race weekend, they honored Staff Sergeant Tanner Grone and Green Beret William Brown, ensuring their names were spoken and their legacies carried forward.

For many, the marathon was more than a race. It was a promise kept. A family supported. A hero remembered.

Read the full story by Lawrence Dow with Star-Telegram.

After completing 100 100-mile races in memory of her son, Marine Veteran James “Dexter” Morris, Rosie Gagnon isn’t slowing down. From UTMB in France to Veterans Day trail ultras, Rosie is turning grief into action, running toward 200 finish lines to raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention and to honor every life lived.

After nearly a decade of grief, Ken Walker is choosing to do hard things again. As a Gold Star Husband honoring SPC Zandra “Niecy” Walker, KIA August 15, 2007, Ken is stepping into the Cowtown Half Marathon with the wear blue Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program cohort. Each purposeful mile is part of his journey back to strength, resilience, and rediscovering love even in loss.

Jes Brouillette runs for his son, PO2 Chase Brouillette, carrying forward a legacy of faith, discipline, and service. What began as his first race just months after Chase’s death has become a “challenge to excellence,” a commitment to honor his son’s life while modeling strength, courage, and purpose for his family through every mile.

Fifteen years after losing her father, CW5 David R. Carter, Kaitlen Carter is stepping into her first half marathon with purpose. As a member of wear blue’s Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program training for the Cowtown Half Marathon, Kaitlen runs to honor her dad’s life and legacy while reclaiming her own strength. Through movement, remembrance, and community, she is discovering that healing can happen one courageous mile at a time.

After the loss of her brother, CW3 Zachary “Zac” Esparza, Rebecca Esparza searched for a way to carry her grief while staying present for her growing family. What began as a personal outlet through movement has become a powerful journey of remembrance and resilience as she trains for her first half marathon with the wear blue Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program. Through community, connection, and each purposeful step, Rebecca honors Zac’s adventurous spirit while discovering strength greater than her grief.

Christine Wood is training for her first half marathon with the wear blue Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program at the Cowtown Half Marathon, honoring her son, Navy GMSN Devin Fasulo, with every mile. Balancing full time work, motherhood, and her micro sourdough bakery, Christine steps forward through movement, remembrance, and community. Her journey reflects resilience, purpose, and the enduring bond between a mother, her children, and the legacy she carries forward.

As the youngest of five siblings, Haley Hinkefent runs the Cowtown Half Marathon carrying the legacy of her brother, Coleman Wayne Hinkefent, U.S. Army. Alongside her sister Erica and a cohort of Gold Star and Survivor Endurance Program athletes, Haley finds strength through faith, family, and the call to keep moving forward with purpose. Each step is a reminder that life continues after loss, and that remembrance can be lived out through endurance, community, and love.

An ER nurse and Gold Star sister, Erica Snyder runs in honor of her brother, PFC Coleman Hinkefent. Through wear blue, she revisits cherished memories, carries his legacy forward, and finds healing under the sunsets that remind her he is still near.

As she approaches the 10-year anniversary of her twin brother’s passing, Adena Crider is honoring his life through purposeful movement. Running in memory of Sgt. James Matthew “Matt” Crider, Adena has found healing, connection, and courage through the wear blue Gold Star Survivor Endurance Program, turning grief into action and remembrance into meaningful steps forward.