This was my first Casper Marathon but hopefully it won't be my last! In a nutshell this is an extremly fun and well organized event. The race directors have thought of just about everything! The host hotel was great and it's also right at the finish line. No checking a gear bag as there's a warm place to wait inside for the start. The shirts were great long-sleeve technical shirts with a great logo. Great course as well part loop and part out-and-back that runs along the Platte River Trail. Very scenic, and great, supportive, fully-stocked aid stations as well. Not a huge number of spectators but the ones that are out there are hugely supportive and enthusiastic! The finish line was more like a big picnic with friends, as there were pizza, subs, beer, soda and the usual marathon fare. The age group awards were memorable and unique as well. You can't go wrong in Casper!

Casper Marathon
Sunday, June 3, 2007
6:30 a.m.
Casper, WY

This was a very nice and friendly marathon, organized by Casper Windy City Striders. Race day temperature ranged from mid 40s to mid 70s, sunny, and there was hardly any wind. Elevation at start: 5,270 feet; at finish: 5,100. The race started at Casper Events Center and ended at the race hotel, Holiday Inn on the river (about half a mile and 120 vertical feet below the Center). At 5:00 a.m., we were bused to the Center, which kept us warm and comfortable until the starting time. I wouldn't describe the course as hilly; however, there were several hills which deserved plenty of respect. From the start to mile 3 was a loop, from mile 3 to approximately mile 9 was point-to-point, and from there to the finish was out and back. At mile 6 we entered the North Platte River trail and ran most of the remaining 20 miles there. I must say that I was quite impressed by Casper's trail system. There were water/sports drink/Gu Gel stations every two miles. The course was well marked and mile markers were easily visible. As expected, there was hardly any crowd support, but race volunteers/course monitors were quite cheerful. Like any other small marathon, mental toughness was required. The high-tech long-sleeved race shirt and finisher's medallion were quite nice. There were all kinds of food items and drinks (fresh fruits, Subway sandwiches, pizzas, soft and sports drinks, beer, etc.) at the finish and we enjoyed a picnic-like atmosphere. In short, we were treated very well by race co-directors and their staff.

I am a 50-stater and this was #29.

All of the comments submitted so far have been positive, and I agree with them. There was a nice course, good organization, and a well done finish at the Holiday Inn. This was my 27th marathon, but my first Casper Marathon. The race went well for me, and I came very close to my goal of 3:50. But I do need to cover one issue. I crossed mile 26 with 3:48:00 on the clock, and was well on the way to my goal of 3:50. But when I came up past the 26 mile marker off of the parkway, I got LOST. I didn't get direction from a volunteer, or didn't see it, or something. Soon I found myself standing in a dirt field out behind a building, with no idea where to go. I just stopped. I couldn't believe this was happening. I turned around and went back, and asked the volunteers where I needed to go. I went where I thought they told me to go, then found myself running back down the course the wrong way. When I passed the 26-mile marker for the second time going the other way, I knew that was wrong too. I ended with a time that was a minute and a half above the goal I had worked for and would have achieved if I hadn't have gotten lost. There was also another place earlier around mile 24 or 25 where there were two ways I could have gone and there was no volunteer there or markings. Fortunately I was able to turn around and ask a runner behind me which way to go, and he helped me find the right way. Apparently no one else had this problem, but when you're putting all your efforts and concentration into running for a certain time on a course you've never seen before, it's very frustrating to have to worry about where to go. I've never gotten lost in a marathon before, and would submit this as an item to work on as the only glitch in an otherwise very well done marathon. I would like to try this one again, but being from Utah, I found it being on Sunday instead of Saturday to be a little problematic. Other then getting lost, it was a very positive experience.

Who needs the larger marathons when you can find gems like these! Everything was thought of, and the finish line was in the parking lot of the host hotel. What a great opportunity to be able to shower and then return for post-race food and to cheer on the later runners. The post-race food was totally unexpected but greatly appreciated - what a spread! The race organizers should be congratulated on a job well done. Would definitely recommend for a 50-stater, as many were present.

This race has by far the best organization! It is small, yet professional, well marked, scenic, and well stocked - and the finish line was EXCEPTIONAL. I myself did feel the altitude and I expected that, but the weather and wind did cooperate. These race officials and volunteers will make you feel so welcome and they go out of their way to leave no stone un-turned and no question un-answered. Wyo. is beautiful, and this is the one to do here. You will not be sorry!

I've only commented one other time on this site, but if a race is incredibly well run, then I feel obligated to say something. This is definitely a race to add to your calendar; the race directors and the local crew who put this on make you feel like famly. My time in the race was terrible, but I can't remember enjoying a race more. I can't wait to do this one again; races 10 times the size could learn a thing or two from the race directors in Casper. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

Easy ride up from Denver. We had a contest who could spot the most pronghorn. I won, with 121.

Each marathoner got a great-looking logo on a red Brooks Podium, technical, LS shirt. The 13.1 crowd got a beautiful, blue, short-sleeve, cotton T-shirt. The Holiday Inn is the place to stay. We got to wait for the start inside the huge activities center; they had lots of restrooms and it was warm. Chip timing. Race started on time and every mile was well marked. Water/Gatorade every two miles. GU, oranges, bananas are spread throughout. The altitude made me work a little harder but the flat course, cool temps, and low humidity made up for it. As you headed towards the finish line, your name was announced and they read a brief comment that you filled out in advance, like if this was your first marathon. After you finished ,you got a souvenir (w/ logo), a cold, wet towel, and a beautiful "spinner" medal. The refreshment tent was a runner's delight. PowerAde, Coke, beer, water, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, bananas, grapes, cookies, Subway sandwiches, and 3 types of Pizza Hut pizza. The 6-hour runners had as much to eat as the 3-hour ones. That's how you run a marathon. They made us feel special the whole weekend. Don't miss the National Historic Trails Museum, next to the starting line.

I've run this marathon 3 times and find it just keeps getting better. The RDs haven't let success go to their heads but just keep putting on a class-act marathon that is very runner-centered. Excellent volunteers throughout seal the deal.

What a wonderful first experience! Dawn and Eric had everything down to a science. There were plenty of drinks and Gu throughout the marathon! I emailed them throughout the "pre-marathon" period and they were quick to answer and did not treat my questions as ridiculous. :) The volunteers along the route (and before) were friendly, helpful and enthusiastic! I would recommend this to anyone wanting to have a fun and friendly experience. :)

We flew to Denver and drove four hours north to Casper. From the time we arrived in Casper until the time we left, the race directors, the volunteers, and the local citzens made us feel welcome. The Holiday Inn race headquarter hotel was reasonably priced and located next to the river. The pasta party was excellent with plenty of good food and good service. On race morning, we were transported the 1/2 mile to the race start, given bagels and fruit, and greeted by the volunteers. The course was scenic and the fresh Wyoming air was clean even if it was a bit short of oxygen. The course was very runnable with a few small hills that added a little variety. The finish line at the race headquarter hotel could not have been better. There was a massive amount of many kinds of food and drink. There were chairs under the canopies next to the river to rest and visit with friends. It was great to be able to walk into the hotel and take a shower without having to worry about late checkout problems. This is a race that should not be missed. We would like to thank the race directors, volunteers, and the hotel staff for making the race an enjoyable experience.