Med Bow Rail Marathon & Half Marathon

Med Bow Rail Marathon & Half Marathon

Saturday, Aug 15, 2026

Lake Owen, Medicine Bow National Forest, Laramie, WY

Get bragging rights! Complete a marathon or half marathon at elevation. In this case that elevation is 9,039 feet. The Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail host the Med Bow Rail Marathon & Half Marathon on August 15, 2026. The marathon course covers the Rail Trail through the Medicine Bow National Forest from end-to-end, averaging 8,926 feet in elevation; the route summit is at 9,039 feet. The trail is a gently graded, wide, gravel path. Marathon participants follow the course through woodlands, open clearings, and even old burn scars. The route ends with a loop around a peaceful 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 t-shirt 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.

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 raises funds for trail upkeep. For more information about the trail and Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail, visit https://medicinebowrailtrail.org/.

Start Times

• Marathon: 7:00 AM
• 1/2 Marathon: 8:00 AM