The Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail host the Med Bow Rail Marathon & Half Marathon on August 12th, 2023. 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 web page at: https://medicinebowrailtrail.org/med-bow-rail-marathon-half-marathon/.

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 t-shirt. Further details about aid stations, awards, cutoff times, the cancellation policy, and other frequently asked questions are available on the event web page. Race results are publicly available on UltraSignup.com.

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/.