The Casper Marathon was a great overall experience, from the friendly organizers, the friendly staff at the host hotel and the friendly participants. The Ramada Hotel offered to take us anywhere we'd like so we visited the fort. The finish line right at the Ramada was so very convenient. The pasta supper was one of the best we've ever had, the food before the race was more than adequate, the supplies of fruit, gels, sports drink and water on the course as well as the post race food including pizza and beer was superb! The course had to be modified a bit because of the rising river but it was no big deal. We were allowed an early start, my first, and I really liked it. I wasn't coming in at the back of the pack for a change. The only thing I would recommend would be a few extra porta-potties along the course. Thanks, organizers, for a great experience! My husband and I have made so many new friends from this race. Thanks for being so welcoming to the 50 Staters.

It can not be done better. The race size and the organization and the course where perfect for eachother. There was nothing about this race not to like. If you go into it knowing you are dealing with a small race in a small town then you will get everything you could hope for and will find yourself very happy.
Stay at the host hotel (Ramada) or next door at the La Quinta. Both make it such that everything you need is right there. Do not expect an Expo. You get your number and the essentials and move on. Nothing to it.
The shuttle to the start was fine, the pasta party was good, the hotels where perfect (not to nice but just the essentials), the prerace at the events center was great with food, indoors, bathrooms, and anything you needed but forgot to bring provided.
The town of Casper was nice to explore but you only need about 2 hours and you can say you have seen it all.
The race route was really nice. It was a lot flatter then you would expect.
The only issues to overcome is the elevation and the heat but neither was overly harsh.
The finish was great with more food then they needed for the number of runners. Also the finish line is right there at the hotel.
The volunteers are first rate, the organization was great.
As you can tell I truly enjoyed my experience at this race and strongly recommend it.

I love smaller races and this one is my favorite to date. Wonderfully organized and a good value for the price. The packet pickup was a breeze, the pasta dinner was perfect and the technical shirts (long-sleeved) are great. The morning of the race there was a short (5 min?) shuttle ride to the start line. We were able to wait inside an events center complete with real bathrooms, coffee, bagels, chocolate milk, bananas, etc. They even had sunscreen for those who forgot it. The race itself showcased some gorgeous views and gave lots of quiet meditative time for runners, but if you need lots of cheering along the way, this might not be your best choice. The medal is fantastic and I've never seen such a great post-race spread tons of fresh fruit, cookies, nuts, coffee, beer, water, juice, pizza & subs.

I ran the 1/2 marathon and found this race to be one of the best organized I have ever run. The course was challenging with a diversity of scenery. We ran some river trail (paved and some dirt due to river flooding, road and around a golf course). I've run about 15 1/2 marathons and one full and countless smaller races. The volunteers were so friendly and the atmosphere was so upbeat. The food at the end was magnificent. The host hotel was very close to the starting line and it was easy to get to. The course is such that it's not really possible to have supporters along the whole thing, but there were quite a few at each water station and they made some noise!!!
I've lived in Wyoming for 25 years; my first half-marathon was also in Casper, in 1995, and while it was a good experience, it paled in comparison to this one. I really hope I'll have a chance to do it again. Highly, highly recommend!
I've lived in Wyoming for 25 years; my first half-marathon was also in Casper, in 1995, and while it was a good experience, it paled in comparison to this one. I really hope I'll have a chance to do it again. Highly, highly recommend!

This was my favorite marathon experience to date and it was definitely worth making the trip from the East Coast. The organizers did a stellar job and the attention to detail for a small marathon was remarkable. Thanks to all who put so much time and effort into making it an unforgettable event. The highlights were:

1. Expo: in host hotel, it took one minute to collect bib and long sleeved t-shirt. There is not much for sale (a few other t-shirts and no gels/related supplies) but I liked that it was low-key and quick.

2. Start: shuttle bus to start took less than 5 minutes from the host hotel. Casper Events Center is huge with plenty of bathrooms so that was a treat to be 'warehoused' there and the view was amazing. The volunteers laid on breakfast as well as provided sun screen, bug spray, tissues etc.

3. Course: delightful, meandering along the river for much of the way with views of the mountains throughout; I found it challenging with the gentle undulations all the way through the marathon course (versus outright hills); the altitude and heat (80 degrees by 10:30am) also slowed me down, however a slower pace allowed me to enjoy the experience so much more and to fully appreciate the course and views.

4. Volunteers: wonderful - non-stop water gatorade, gu, bananas and oranges. The volunteers couldn't do enough for you and remained chipper even though they were on duty for close to seven hours (it was remarkable that the volunteers/food/finish line support) lasted well over the 6 hour mark.)

5. Medal/t-shirt: unusual medal with rotating center so it could be customized with half or full marathon details. Good quality long-sleeved t-shirt that you might actually wear out and about, i.e. not just for running.

6. Finish line food/drinks: terrific - masses of fruit, pizza, cakes sandwiches and soft drinks.

7. Participants: this seemed like a super friendly and down-to-earth crowd for both the half and full marathons. The Maniacs always liven things up and are fun. Not surprisingly, plenty of aspiring or proven 50-Staters so it was fabulous to hear all of their recommendations from prior events.

In terms of the lodging, the host hotel (Casper Ramada Riverside) was satisfactory and the staff were friendly. I chose not to eat at the hotel as the restaurant looked a little depressing and instead found a wonderful place on 2nd Street (10-15 minute walk from the hotel in downtown Casper called Eggington's which was excellent. Downtown Casper was small but full of character. Windy City Books deserves a special mention; it's a superb independent bookstore on Center Street and the owner spent time helping me select a Wyoming reading list including Laura Bell's Claiming Ground. Reading about the trials and tribulations of the ranching life the day before the marathon only added to the incredible atmosphere. I also met a number of literary locals while I was browsing in the store and they shared their views on what to read as well. It was a memorable experience.

The course was mostly asphalt and relatively flat - for Wyoming. It bordered the Platt River for much of the race and was quite scenic. Volunteers were great and served cold water along with Gatorade at the water stops. Pasta dinner was excellent. Post-race buffet was the biggest and best I've experienced!

Thumbs up to Dawn and the rest of the race committee. Pre-race expo was a breeze - in and out. Low profile and a relaxed atmosphere. I did the half-marathon and for the most part loved the course along the river. We could have used more water stations, due to the direct sun along the entire course. I just wonder if they could use more volunteers, perhaps from the schools. They might like to help out and have some fun. The post-race food was excellent and very well stocked. Loved the fresh blueberries and cranberries. The pizza came late, but good job. Parking was easy and the shuttle ride to the start was nice and short. Recommend this race to anyone who likes a low-profile race and doesn't mind running with little cheering along the way. The finisher's medal was cool. Everyone received the exact medal, unfortunately, but I liked it.

I loved the Casper Marathon. It was perfect in every way. The course was beautiful. It was very well organized. The pre-race pasta dinner was well worth the money. This was my 50th state marathon. I worked hard to get here and am so glad I kept this one as the marathon to reach my goal. I thank the race directors, Eric and Dawn, for making this an event I will always remember fondly.

I've gotten to be one slow marathoner and I couldn't believe the food that was there at the end. I did a marathon 5 weeks earlier, and they talked about a great spread at the end... but they had 10 bottles of water left. Here, they could feed an army after I got there. Spectators weren't there, but the water stop people were great. The hotel offers a great price... not much to look at. Best pasta dinner I've had. Lots of good things happening at this marathon. Never done it? Then check this one out. Medals are pretty neat also.

Nice course that ran along the river, with some hills to keep it interesting. The race had almost as many volunteers as spectators, but I did not expect many spectators in a race of this size. I did not enjoy running past all of the slower half marathon runners. Too bad they don't run the same course at the start. The water stops and finish area were great. I stayed at the Ramada (host hotel); it was very good. It was nice to shower and change right after the race.