The Friends of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail host the Med Bow Rail Marathon & Half Marathon on August 9, 2025. 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.

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.

Schedule:

5 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Check-in at Lake Owen for those not getting packets on Friday.  Marathon check-in ends at 5:30 a.m., but any packets not picked up will be taken to the Pelton Creek starting line.

5:30 a.m. – Marathon shuttle bus starts loading at Lake Owen trailhead.

5:45  a.m. – Marathon shuttle bus takes off from Lake Owen to Pelton Creek Trailhead. Bring your own bag if you want to drop off clothing items at the starting line and we’ll get them to the finish line.

7 a.m. – Marathon starts

8 a.m. – Half Marathon starts

11 a.m. (approximate time, based on how the race goes) – Half Marathon awards ceremony at Lake Owen.

11:30 – (approximate time, based on how the race goes; it could be later) – First marathon awards.

12:30 p.m. (approximate time, based on how the race goes; it could be later) – Second marathon awards.  Runners who win an award that finish after this time will be awarded as soon as possible at the finish line.

2:30 p.m. – Finish line closes and will no longer time runners.

Course Info:

Marathon:

The race starts at the Pelton Creek Trailhead at 7 a.m. and ends at the Lake Owen Trailhead.  Parking is at Lake Owen; shuttle service is available for those needing a ride to the start at Pelton Creek Trailhead.  Shuttles leave for Pelton Creek at 5:45 a.m. from Lake Owen. It is recommended to have a personal vehicle drop off runners at Pelton Creek rather than take the shuttle, due to the time involved. The one change from the 2021 course is that the entire marathon is on the Rail Trail and Lake Owen pathway.  The detour on to the gravel Forest Road between Foxpark and the Lincoln Gulch Trailhead is no longer needed since the entire Rail Trail is now open.

Click here for Marathon Course Map

Half Marathon:

- Route starts with a run around Lake Owen on some singletrack, then down the Rail Trail to the Lincoln Gulch Trailhead for a turnaround point and aid station; then return, and go around Lake Owen a second time.
- Route passes through three fire scars of varied ages, plenty of green timber, and lots of habitat variety.
- 2 aid stations – pass by one once and then pass the other 2 times.
- The Rail Trail is mostly a packed gravel, 10-foot wide path.
- Expect some vegetation growth on trail, primarily on the centerline.
- Expect short segments of singletrack on the path around Lake Owen.

Click here for Half-Marathon Course Map

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

Cost:

Marathon $75 and Half Marathon $50.
T-shirt size availability is not guaranteed for entries after July 26.

Costs July 26 – August 9: Marathon $90 and Half Marathon $65. (t-shirt size not guaranteed)

Click here to Register