This event is not put on by High Plains Harriers and is put on by the non-profit Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail to highlight the pathway. It is also a fundraiser, with all proceeds going toward trail maintenance and upkeep.
The Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail host the Med Bow Rail Marathon & Half Marathon. The races showcase the beautiful Medicine Bow Rail Trail and provide a unique high-elevation racing experience. The marathon course covers the Rail Trail from end-to-end and averages 8,926 feet in elevation. The trail is a gently graded, wide, gravel path. Marathon participants follow the course through two states (the trail briefly dips into Colorado after starting just north of the state line) and finish at a serene mountain lake. The half-marathon course mirrors much of the northern portion of the marathon course, making two loops around Lake Owen with the remainder of the course on the Rail Trail. Course maps are available on the event website.
All race proceeds fund trail upkeep and improvement, and the races are intended to promote use of the trail. The event provides a fun and safe way to experience the trail, both competitively and non-competitively. The races are open to all-comers. The races are timed and fully staffed at 5 aid stations, with a start/finish area at Lake Owen, near Albany, WY. All participants receive a race souvenir and all finishers are awarded a finisher medal. Further details about aid stations, awards, cutoff times, the cancellation policy, and other frequently asked questions are available on the event website. Race results are publicly available on UltraSignup.com.
Pricing & Registration
February 1 - July 25: Marathon $75 and Half Marathon $50
July 26 - August 10: Marathon $90 and Half Marathon $65.
Race day entry by cash or check is possible for the Half Marathon, but for the Marathon it may not include the bus shuttle if space is not available. In-person entry is possible at packet pickup on Friday.
Registration is limited to 200 racers.
Click the button below to register.
Race Day Schedule
Marathon start time: 7 a.m.
The marathon shuttle bus leaves Lake Owen at 5:45. Don’t be late!
Note, there is no shuttle needed for the half marathon with the course starting and ending at Lake Owen.
Half Marathon start time: 8 a.m.
Age Limits: 18 year age minimum for the Marathon; 13 year age limit for the Half Marathon. Younger runners in the Half Marathon are permitted provided they have parental approval with assurance they are medically able and properly trained.
About the Medicine Bow Rail Trail
The Medicine Bow Rail Trail is a 21-mile gravel pathway through the Medicine Bow National Forest in the Snowy Range mountains. Completed in 2007, the trail winds through scenic aspen and conifer forests from the Wyoming-Colorado state border to Dry Park along what was formerly the Laramie, Hahns Peak, and Pacific Railroad. The trail is open year-round to bikers, hikers, horseback riders, runners, skiers, and other non-motorized uses.
The Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, supports and maintains the trail. The group cleans up the trail, hosts trail events, and fundraises for trail upkeep. For more information about the trail and Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail, visit https://medicinebowrailtrail.org/.
Awards
Completion medals to all finishers of both courses.
Top finishers in both races and both genders receive special trophy awards.
Age-group awards: 1st, 2nd, 3rd for top male and female runner in each distance with the age group categories listed below. Awards are typically Rail Trail apparel items.
– Age 13 to 19 (Half Marathon only)
– 20 to 29 (29 and under for Marathon)
– 30 to 39
– 40 to 49
– 50 to 59
– 60 and over
Things to Do in Laramie
We encourage visitors to enjoy "Laradise" after the race! Re-fuel with lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, check out the murals in Downtown Laramie, celebrate your accomplishment with a beverage at one of our breweries. For more things to do, visit: https://www.visitlaramie.org/
Race Director Contact Information
Amber Travsky, Race Director and board member of Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail
Email: atravsky@wyoming.com with any questions.