Cowboy 200

Two race options
200-mile - Friday, Sept. 15th at 5:00 AM (in Norfolk, NE)
100-mile - Saturday, Sept. 16th at 8:00 AM (in Atkinson, NE)

The Cowboy 200 is a point-to-point 200-mile footrace along the beautiful Cowboy Trail in Nebraska. This is a rails-to-trails course and will be run on a non-technical, 100% runnable, crushed limestone path inaccessible to motor vehicles. There will be short paved sections when running through towns along the route.

COWBOY 200 HIGHLIGHTS

• 200+ miles with ZERO repetition.
• 100-mile option.
• Cash prize for 1st place male AND female in the 200-mile solo run. $1500 prize (each gender) + an additional $500 for new course records!
• Awesome swag!
• Ten manned aid stations, most with hot food. Nine additional unmanned aid stations with water and Proxima C Endurance Fuel. Three sleep stations.
• The course will start in Norfolk and head west along the Cowboy Trail to Valentine.
•1/3 the price of other zero repetition 200-milers.
• A percentage of race entry goes back to the Cowboy Trail for maintenance, repair, and improvements.
• Finish line/post-run celebration at Bolo Beer Co. in Valentine, NE – free beer for runners!
• NEW FOR 2023 - Live GPS tracking for all runners!

CUTOFFS
200-mile solo cutoff – 84 hours (25:12/mile average)
100-mile solo cutoff – 32 hours (19:12/mile average)
Additional aid station-specific cutoffs will be posted in the runner’s manual

LOCATION/COURSE
Runners will travel from Norfolk to Valentine on the Cowboy Trail, an old “rail-trail” consisting of crushed limestone trails (off-limits to automobiles). During their epic 200-mile adventure, runners will be immersed in nature and experience the beauty and solitude of the Nebraska back-country.

Along this amazing journey, runners will see many ancient relics from the old railroad and pass through many quaint, history-filled towns’ still utilizing buildings and artifacts from the old railroad – including a water-powered gristmill and numerous old railroad depots scattered along the route.

Some of the most famous and awe-inspiring structures along the Cowboy Trail are the former railway bridges in which runners will cross. In total there are over 200 bridges along the route with the largest being ¼ mile long and 148 feet high! This truly is a beautiful trek through America’s heartland.

The Cowboy Trail is non-technical, 100% runnable, and extraordinarily flat, making it perfect for the first time 200-miler, or for those seeking a PR.

The exact route of the Cowboy 200 is subject to change with route/trail closures and maintenance. We will do our best to keep runners on as much as the Cowboy Trail as possible.

AID STATIONS
There will be 10 full/manned aid stations along the 200 miles (not including the start and finish). These will be located in towns along the route. There will also be nine unmanned aid stations that will have water and the carbohydrate/electrolyte beverage – Proxima C - https://ultraversesupplements.com/products/proxima-c-endurance-fuel

Full/manned aid stations will have a variety of typical runner’s food. MOST full aid stations will also have at least one hot food item. We will have at least one plant-based hot food option at full-aid stations serving hot food.

200-mile SWAG AND AWARDS
Runners will receive a Cowboy 200 lightweight, packable, puffy vest, a Cowboy 200 T-shirt, and a Cowboy 200 drawstring bag. Additional freebie items will be included in runner swag bags.

All 200-mile finishers will receive a beautiful, year-specific Cowboy 200 finishers buckle worthy of a 200-mile adventure. Our 200-mile finisher’s buckles will be different every year! Collect them all! Runners will also receive free beer from Bolo Beer Co. at the finish line!

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place runners in both men’s and women’s races will receive additional awards (TBD).

1st place male and female will receive a cash reward of $1500. Winners who also set a new course record will receive an additional $500.

We will have professional photography FREE FOR DOWNLOAD by Brook Kaczor - https://www.brookekaczorphoto.com/

100-mile SWAG AND AWARDS
All runners receive a Cowboy 100 bag and a high-quality cotton/poly blend t-shirt. Additional freebie items will be included in swag bags!

Finishers will receive a Cowboy 100 buckle and free beer from Bolo Beer Co.

Additional prizes for the top 3 male and female finishers (TBD)

We will have professional photography FREE FOR DOWNLOAD by Brook Kaczor - https://www.brookekaczorphoto.com/

RULES
For a complete list of rules see the runners manual.

Pacers
Pacers will be allowed for 200-mile and 100-mile runners.

Pacers can only start at FULL/MANNED/CREW ACCESSIBLE aid stations.

Pacers cannot carry anything for their runner (no muling) and must carry all the same required gear as runners.

See runners manual for more info.

REQUIRED GEAR
REQUIRED GEAR for 200-mile RUNNERS

1. A charged cell phone or watch with gpx of the course.
2. A charged headlamp, or other means of providing light – not a cell phone flashlight.
3. 1 Liter of liquid carrying capacity. More highly recommended. (Average high of 78 degrees, but temps in the 90’s are not rare in September)
4. Long sleeve shirt, jacket, etc. (average overnight low of 47 degrees in the northern portion of course, freezing is possible)
5. Space blanket or emergency poncho.

REQUIRED GEAR FOR 100-MILERS

1. Charged cell phone or watch with gpx of the course
2. Ability to carry 1 Liter of liquid.

Shuttle
There WILL be a shuttle for non-crewed runners. Please see the runners manual for those details.

GOALS
It is our goal to put on a world-class ultra-running experience connecting runners to the rich history, beautiful landscapes, and wonderful communities that are in abundance along the Cowboy Trail. Additionally, we hope to provide a more affordable option for a “no repetition” 200-mile race while still providing everything runners come to expect in races 3x the price.

Presented by Ultraverse Supplements - Endurance Evolved.
https://ultraversesupplements.com/

Refunds/Deferrals
NO REFUNDS
NO BIB TRANSFERS

Entry can be deferred up to 2-years for 100% race credit if done by June 15th.
Entry can be deferred up to 2-years for 75% race credit if done by July 15th.
Entry can be deferred up to 2-years for 50% race credit if done by August 15th.
Entry can be deferred up to 2-years for 25% race credit if done by September 1st.

NO DEFERRALS AFTER SEPTEMBER 1ST. No credit will be given after this date.
Please let us know within three days of the race that you can’t make it, or you will receive a DNS.

Runners Manual
Please see the runner's manual at https://ultraversesupplements.com/our-races/the-cowboy-200 for more detailed information.