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Apr 30, 2024

Wyoming Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.4

Organization 4.4

Spectators 2.3

Number of comments: 39 [displaying comments 31 to 39]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

J. C. from NEWPORT KY. (6/6/2005) "COLD, WINDY, HILLY" (about: 2005) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Wyoming Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I'll be back... a real challenge with no time limit, a high altitude and cold winds (you can see your breath along I-80). The GPS tracked the miles at 27.72, not 26.2.
A. Y. from South Dakota (5/30/2005) "Joy of Running" (about: 2005) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Wyoming Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 While this may not be for everyone, I found it a unique and great event. (God gets some credit for making a part of the world so beautiful--I was so taken with the juxtaposition of rock formations within forest land.) I rediscovered the joy of running in many ways, not the least of which was just not caring about my splits/over-all time. The out and back course gave you moments when you shared the camaraderie of other runners, with plenty of other time for solitude and reflection. NOTE: I gave 5 stars for 'Spectators' as there weren't any, as befits this event. I always carry my own water bottle, don't shop at race expos, prefer a good shrub/rock to a porta-pottie.......and they had size small shirts. This all comes close to making Brent a race director who delivers, in my book.
Laurence Macon from San Antonio, Texas (6/2/2004) "Next year they may add a hurricane and blizzard" (about: 2004) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Wyoming Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 ...just to make the race tougher. Start at 8700 feet and go down 600 feet, up 600 feet, down 600 feet, up 600 feet, down 600 feet and finally up a steep 600 feet for the longest last 4.5 miles of any marathon. Add a gale force head wind for most of the race. Blend in an intital wind chill in the 20's and it never got warmer(the reports of snow flurries were probably mirages). Don't expect cups at the 3 aid stations. Yet veteran marathoners keep going back. Why? Sue and Brent are great, the scenery is unbelievable, the camaraderie is excellent and when it's over, you know you've accomplished something (even at your PW time).
Eddie Hahn from Soto Cano AB Honduras (Ft Lewis WA) (9/28/2003) "Race Director Makes New Concessions" (about: 2002) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The marathon director of this race is very proud of the motto as stated on the race application, 'where the race director promises nothing, and he delivers.' Some of us hearty souls look at that as a challenge, and therefore expect 'nothing'. Actually there were a few places where the volunteers strategically placed full bottles of Gatorade and water - runners simply helped themselves. The scenic topography consisted of huge granite boulders and pine trees, remininiscent of Arizona. Look out for an abandoned structure and several 1950's vehicles after the marathon crosses under I-80... this gives the race a classic 'old West' feel. Incidentally, be mindful of the cattle-guard just before going through the tunnel under the freeway... in an effort to challenge runners, the director deliberately doesn't place plywood there. You don't want to injure yourself. As others have stated, it's very hilly throughout. The toughest challenge for most will be the fact that the last two to three miles are uphill. Don't expect a classy medal; 2002's was actually a medal of the state of Wyomings Seal, and not draped by a standard ribbon, but a small strand of ribbon attached to a pin that you could put on your old high school letterman's jacket. A primary motivation to run this one may be the pre-race pasta dinner, which is abundant with food, well organized and first class. Marathoners from around the US, many from the '50-states Marathon Club(s)' attend the event. Brent Weigner (Race Director) is pretty funny; his pre-race brief gave me quite a laugh.
M. R. from Fort Collins, Co (6/7/2003) "This marathon fits Wyoming perfectly" (General Comments) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I ran the marathon in 1998, 1999, and 2003, and the double in 2000 and 2001. If you're looking for a fast, easy course, try Chicago, because this isn't it. This course should be run slow and easy, and enjoyed. Start slow, and slow down from there. Expect to finish 30 to 60 minutes slower than a normal marathon - longer if you haven't done a lot of hill work. You can start out at normal marathon pace, because it is downhill, but slow down when you get to the first hill, or you won't enjoy the second half of the marathon. Most years the weather is cool enough that the limited water stops are not a major problem. A water bottle wouldn't be a bad idea, although I usually don't carry one. You will need to carry at least a cup to drink out, of as cups are not provided. Between miles 7 and 10, the course seems to be uphill. It is an optical illusion. Coming back, you will know it is uphill both ways. This is the least scenic part of the course, as it is the frontage road for I-80. It does provide most of the fan support (from drivers who honk and wave). The rest of the course is quiet, with beautiful scenery. Be ready for almost anything weather-wise, from snow to 80 degrees - perhaps in the same race, if you do the double. This is one of the few marathons that doesn't explicitly exclude dogs. Two of my dogs have completed the marathon (in much better condition than me). Other dogs have run parts of the marathon. If you do run with your dog, be sure to have it on a leash. You will need to have a way to get it water, and make provisions for letting it drop out if need be. Be sure that your dog has trained for long distances in hot weather. Most dogs I have run with would have trouble running this marathon in a hot year. There are a number of cattle guards, so be sure the dog can walk across them. Ask the race director if it is ok for your dog to run. Start at the back of the pack, so your dog doesn't interfere with the other runners. The course is about 30 feet wide, so there is no problem passing people after the first 1/4 mile. Don't consider this a race and don't plan on winning it. Most of the runners are either training for a 100-miler or trying to check off one more state. The winning times are slow. Often the person you are racing up that last 4-mile climb turns around and runs the second half of the double. This is a run to be enjoyed, not raced.
A Runner from Des Moines, IA (6/4/2002) "Holy Moly!" (about: 2002) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 What a treat this was. I knew from the outset that (1) the course would be very hard, (2) there are virtually no race amenities, (3) that there would only be comparatively few participants, and (4) I would need to carry my own water. Most of all I new that thin air would be extra hard on a flat-lander's lungs, so I planned accordingly. I thought all who organized and supported the race were cordial, competent, and convivial. It was a beautiful day and the scenery was wonderful. A full moon setting and a rosy pink sunrise occurring simultaneously. After I finish the 50 states plus DC, I will definitely return.
A Runner from MidWest (5/30/2002) "Great Adventure!" (General Comments) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Beautiful scenery, adequate support but bring a water bottle for refills, and very helpful volunteers. I liked the mile markers which I understand were new this year! Truly an arduous course at high elevation...but a winner! Would do it again. I was, however, disappointed by the sparse pasta dinner, which I was told was one of the best in previous years. Not much variety...would pass on that.
A Runner from chicago, il (11/27/2001) "tough course, but nice scenery" (about: 2001) COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I ran this course in 2001. I'm from chicago so I was not used to the altitude. The hills combined with the altitude killed me, but it was nice to run through Medicine Bow National Forest and Vedauwoo! Bring a water bottle with you as there are only 4 watering holes (which you will pass twice being an out and back course). Finish line timing was a bit off by about a minute. Run this if you want good scenery and a 'fun' time to spend half your day. Don't run it if you are hoping for a pr or lots of food and drink during and after the race.
A Runner from Suburb of Minneapolis, MN USA (8/16/2000) "Bare-Bones Race/Tough Course... Be Prepared" (General Comments) COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 (Run in 99.) The plusses: easy access to start/finish, laid-back atmosphere, forgiving dirt roads (plus a short paved stretch), almost no crowd (appx. 65 finishers, plus a few half- and double-marathoners), decent scenery, clean rest area for pre-/post-race prep, and a chance to add Wyoming to your marathon list. Limitations: foremost, limited aid (4 stations along out-back course/8 total). Carry extra fluid or have support. (Make sure any bike-riding support crew are in shape enough to handle hills and 7,000-8,600 ft altitudes for 4+ hrs.) Course drops over 1,000 feet, then regains it at the turnaround. Most elevation change is in first/last 4 miles and at 12.5-14 miles.) Only distance markers/splits are turnarounds for the half (6.55 mi) and full marathons. Several steel-grate cattle guards to hop/shuffle over. Start is early: 6 a.m. I did not receive my age-group award, which was promised to be sent. Send SASE with entry if you want the results.

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