I like the RD's approach to "paperless" stations. Other race directors should take heed - there's too much waste at races. This course offers running at its purist; nice terrain, great folks and a low-key setting. The philosophy is that everybody is a winner; there's no reason for age-division medals here.

I am from Iowa, so this course was rather difficult for me because of the high altitude. I usually get around 4:00 in each marathon I have run, and with this marathon, I got my worst time ever: 5:32!!! If you are going to run this course and are not used to high elevation or a lot of hills, then this course is not for you. After I was finished, however, I really felt like I worked hard and deserved the medal even though it was my worst time. I was not disappointed at all with the results because I knew what to expect. Wyoming is really a breath-taking state and the course was absolutely amazing. I loved the Little America Hotel, and it was really cheap. I highly recommend staying there. The pasta dinner was also very tasty.

If you're looking for a challenging and fun trail marathon, this is it! Only about 150 runners stood at the starting line when I ran it on 5/25/08. The start (and finish) consisted of a line of flour across the dirt road, and an orange cone next to the race-director's RV. After a short prayer and moment of silence for Memorial Day, we were off. The weather was nice, about 30 degrees at the start, but it got very windy (50 mph+) as the race went on. The course is mostly on dirt (about 77%), descends around 1,500 feet, and ascends around 1,500 feet total. Although this was my first attempt at marathons on consecutive weekends (I ran Fargo 7 days earlier), and this was my 2nd slowest time ever (5:12), but it was good enough for 30th overall, and 2nd in my division. This is NOT a fast marathon. Run it if you are craving some open space and a small, community-oriented bunch of die-hard runners.

There are just 3 aid stations on the course, and runners are required to bring their own water bottles. Eliminating cups keeps the environmental impact to a minimum in the Medicine Bow National Forest area. All this being said, the race was well-organized, and the volunteers were magnificent (despite few aid stations, some of them drove the course offering aid to runners on the fly). Oh, and you'll be inspired by the several runners who turn around at the finish to run it all again for the Rocky Mountain Double Marathon!

The positives:
- No porta-potties!
- Almost no spectators!
- Too few aid stations!
(and no cups at these stations)
- No Gu shots!

Negatives? None, really - so long as you keep your expectations realistic. This is a unique marathon:
- Everyone is expected to respect the remote and pristine public lands it is run on (so no paper cups to blow around and no Gu-shot trash to litter the area).
- The only toilets are at the rest stop facility at the start.... The rest of the race is an off-trail, au natural experience.
- Enough friendly, well-stocked rest stops where you can fill up your required-to-bring water bottle with water or sports drink and grab a handful of potato chips, pretzels or trail mix.

This is a most excellent marathon value ($45 in 2007) while still benefiting the Cheyenne Boys and Girls Clubs. Besides the benefit feature you get well-stocked aid stations, a medal (same every year) and an unusual color cotton t-shirt - this year bright yellow, which I prefer to the bright purple from a couple years ago. If you were to use a "cost per running hour metric" this is undoubtedly the best value in the US! (This is a slow race due to the wind, altitude and up/down topography.)

Other considerations:

- WEATHER: Be prepared for some challenging weather (it is ALWAYS windy here and it can be cool due to the nearly 9,000' starting altitude).
- HUMILIATION/INSPIRATION: A significant percentage of the runners complete this challenging marathon... and then turn right around and run it ALL OVER AGAIN to complete the "Rocky Mountain Double." This is humbling to witness but at the same time it's inspiring to see runners of all age groups heading back out to run this difficult course a second time!

If you're up for a different sort of race and an unusual challenge, sign up for the 2008 Wyoming Marathon!

This was my first marathon post knee surgery so I walked the course. It was one of the most enjoyable marathons I have completed. I was alone from start to finish but loved the solitude. The aid stations were well stocked and manned by friendly, helpful volunteers. Every runner smiled or waved at me as I trudged along.

This is a very tough course, especially the last two miles. As promised, there are no frills, except the supreme satisfaction of finishing the marathon. Nevertheless, I recommend it to any runner or walker, not only because of the toughness but for the beautiful scenery and the kindness of the genuine men and women who are out on the course from crack of down to sundown to make sure you are okay, provide water, Gatorade or snacks, and offer moral support.

The medal is a replica of the Great Seal of Wyoming, which I think is beautiful. My thanks to the race director and all the volunteers.

I love the ups and downs - yes, they're pretty steep at times, but what affected me was the elevation. Coming from 2000 feet to 9000 feet above sea level was tough. I arrived late the night before (which is against all advice I could find). The coure ranked up at the top in beauty - it was breathtaking, actually. I saw most participaters running AND walking the course. Me, I WALKED the entire couse and was delirious the last two miles because of elevation sickness (the finish takes you back to the top at nearly 9000 feet) and without the help of my son and husband, not sure if I would have made it - both had a hold of my hands and led me up the last mountain. So, TRULY, if you intend to do this marathon or any with high elevation, arrive a couple of days ahead, or count on struggling. Otherwise, this was a well organized event and worth participating in. The scenery is to die for....

The course is an out-and-back, all above 8,000 feet in elevation. It is situated in the mountains between Laramie and Cheyenne. The course is mostly on dirt/gravel roads, with about a 3-mile stretch (6 miles total) on a frontage road boarding I-80. It is not a flat course! There are three major hills and almost no flat sections to the course. The last 3 miles are particularly tough and steep, as are miles 5-7 (roughly) and miles 14-16.

There were pretty much no spectators on the course. I got some friendly (I assume) honks from semi drivers while I was running along the frontage road part. Fewer than 100 people generally run this race. It's a bargain at only $45 to enter. There is a double marathon that starts with the marathon and a half marathon as well. The double marathon is precisely that; you run the marathon, then turn around and run it again. That's nutty! For $45 you don't get a lot of frills. The finish line is an orange cone and a white line across the road. The medal is unpretentious. If you're expecting frills, don't come to Wyoming! The draw is the challenge, the race itself.

The roads were in good shape, not crowned at all. There was a tiny amount of washboard running, but it was generally avoidable. There were probably 10 cattle guard crossings and they did not put down any wood over them, so watch your step! The frontage road bit is a fair distance away from the interstate; the traffic noise was noticeable but not distracting. In fact, the views from the frontage road bit were really nice; to the south you could see the Mummy Range and Never Summer Mountains, both of which are in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, some 50 miles away! The bits in the forest were nice and quiet, and there were lots of interesting rock formations to look at in the Vedauwoo section of the course (near the turn-around).

I think we got pretty lucky with the weather; it was in the 30s at the start but calm and clear. If you know anything about Wyoming weather, having no wind is a cause for celebration! The first 5 miles were chilly but I knew it would get hot, so I didn't mind being cold for awhile. There was no shade on the frontage road but there was a slight wind; just enough to keep things cool, not so much to impede my progress. The wind was generally against us on the way back. In other years I imagine the wind can be brutal; I got lucky I think. The temperatures were climbing towards the end, but that was the least of my troubles. The elevation and hills were the toughest obstacles, and they will be there no matter what the conditions.

The race espouses an eco-friendly ethos. To that end they do not provide any cups at the aid stations, and you are required to bring your own water container. I thought that was a pretty neat idea, but make sure you practice using whatever water bottle device you plan to use during the race. You can refill your water at the aid stations, and they had powdered Gatorade as well, and snacks, including pretzels and chips. I actually didn't stop at any of the aid stations because I brought enough water in my Camelbak and had some hammer gels in there as well. The course indicates that there are only 5 aid stations but I saw two or three roving support vehicles that had water available, and one spectator had a jug of water for runners, so you really could get by with something small like a fuel belt. Also there are no port-a-potties on course, and no real good pace to duck off the course on the frontage road section, so plan accordingly.

You are probably not going to set a PR on this course, unless this is your first marathon (ha, ha), or if the only other one you've done is Pikes Peak or something else hilly. Come for the views, the simplicity, and the challenge.

Start at 8,700 feet, and add 20 mph headwinds, steep inclines and downhills, few to no aid stations, no cups for the ones that they did have, and no Gu.... What's not to love about this race. The race director is clear: they promise nothing and they deliver. This marathon is NOT for the novice runner or anyone looking for a P.R., but is definitely on my list as one of my favorites and I will run it again.

The elevation was particularly difficult because I live at sea level. My guess is that next time I'll get out there for about 1 week before the marathon to get used to the elevation.

The course is spectacular. After trying actually to run this course, I finally gave up and started walking the inclines and running the declines. I even stopped to take pictures.

I met some truly nice people on the course and the race director is a great guy. The pasta dinner was very good.

This is what running is all about: Going back to the basics of dirt roads, hills, sunshine, carrying your own water and not having any worries about what mile you are on, what your time is, or what place your in. The people on the course were there for a reason, to support you and make sure you are alright. The athletes were supportive of each other and encouraged each other on. Great support on the course, and while it was very hard, it was well worth the effort.

Very enjoyable if you are looking for a low-key race with great scenery and affable race organizers. The course is quite difficult with 4 miles of "quad softening" downhill running at the start of the out-and-back course. There is then an immediate steep climb followed by another massive decline to the turnaround. The views during the race (other than a taxing 3 miles on pavement midway) are incredible and make the race. The runners are all friendly as this type of race attracts people out for a great experience (PR not possible unless it is your first marathon). I would definitely do it again.