Medicine Bow Half Marathon

Laramie, Wyoming

Sunday, May 26, 2019

I race walked the Medicine Bow Half Marathon near Laramie, Wyoming on Sunday, May 26, 2019.  The event which had 112 entries in total in the half marathon, full marathon and 50k.  Everyone started at the same time at an altitude of 8700 feet on a dirt and gravel road near the rest area at the highest point on the old Lincoln Highway (US 30) which was the first coast to coast highway in the United States and has a 30 foot statue of President Lincoln overlooking the highway.  There was sparse traffic traveling along the dirt and gravel road.  The first four miles are almost completely downhill and bottoms out at about 7900 feet where the first aid station is located. The next 3.5 miles climbs to about 8400 feet where the second aid station is located at the half marathon turn around.  The full marathon and 50K participants continue to their designated turn arounds, experiencing a continued challenging journey that has three more aid stations in total.  All participants are expected to carry their own water bottle which can be filled at the aid stations.  The aid stations also have a variety of food items; however, it should be noted that no one is allowed to discard anything (trash or clothing etc.) anywhere except at the receptacles at the aid stations.  Each aid station had two volunteers and the start finish line had three.  The thirteen volunteers were extremely efficient and friendly and took care of the participant’s needs.  The event is one of the most challenging races for anyone to finish.  Every finisher receives a finisher’s medal.  There are no overall or age group awards.  This is the fourth time that I have finished the half marathon and as I have gotten older the challenge has become greater.  I expect that I will try it again next year.

Packet Pick-up

Prerace

Before Race

After Race