Wyoming Marathon facts for kids
The Wyoming Marathon Races are a series of exciting running events held every year in the beautiful Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming, between the cities of Laramie and Cheyenne. These races are a big challenge for runners, taking them through scenic dirt and gravel roads.
Quick facts for kids Wyoming Marathon |
|
|---|---|
| Date | late May |
| Location | Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming, United States |
| Event type | dirt and gravel roads |
| Distance | Ultramarathon, marathon, and half marathon |
| Established | 1978 |
| Official site | Wyoming Marathon Races |
Contents
What Races Are There?
The Wyoming Marathon Races offer different distances for runners. This means there's a race for many different skill levels!
- Vedauwoo 5K (a shorter, fun run)
- Medicine Bow Half Marathon (about 13.1 miles or 21 kilometers)
- Wyoming Marathon (the classic 26.2 miles or 42.2 kilometers)
- Rocky Mountain Double Marathon (a super long race!)
The Race Course
The longer races, like the half marathon, marathon, and double marathon, all begin at the Lincoln Monument Rest Area. This spot is located right off I-80.
The course is an "out-and-back" style. This means runners go out a certain distance and then turn around to come back on the same path. The races take place on dirt and gravel roads within the Medicine Bow National Forest.
High Elevations
One of the most interesting things about these races is how high up they are! The starting line is at an elevation of 8,700 feet (about 2,650 meters) above sea level. Even the lowest point of the marathon and double marathon course is still very high, at 8,000 feet (about 2,440 meters). Running at such high altitudes can be a real challenge for athletes!
The Double Marathon Challenge
The Rocky Mountain Double Marathon is a very special event. Runners in this race complete the full marathon course not once, but twice! This means they run two "out-and-back" loops. In total, they cover an amazing 52.4 miles (about 84.3 kilometers). This makes it an ultramarathon, which is any race longer than a standard marathon.
History of the Races
The Wyoming Marathon is the oldest marathon race in the entire state of Wyoming. It has been a part of the state's running scene for many years.
The Rocky Mountain Double Marathon also holds a special record. It is the oldest ultramarathon in the whole Rocky Mountain region. This shows how important these races are to the history of long-distance running in the area.
Wyoming does not have many marathons. Besides the Wyoming Marathon, there are only two others in the state. These are the Casper Marathon and the Run with the Horses Marathon in Green River.
