Casper Marathon

This is a small race, but it punches above its weight for amenities. There are a few rolling hills along the course, some of which are tougher than others. The course has a couple of out-and-back stretches, so you get to see the same hills on the way up and the way back down. This year (2025) was unseasonably warm at the end (upper 70s), but the course was well-stocked with water, Gatorade, and ice chips. There weren't many spectators along the course, but those who were there cheered enthusiastically! Amenities at the finish were much better than expected for a small race - sandwiches, wraps, pizza, beer, and fruit. The host hotel was conveniently located about 1/2 mile from the finish. My only complaint is that they ran out of smaller-sized shirts at packet pickup. I understand that they have to order shirts early, but it seems like more runners would need medium shirts than double XL. In the grand scheme of things, though, the positives significantly outweigh the minor complaints!

This is a small, but well-run race. Would highly recommend if you're looking to check Wyoming off your list. The course starts with a 4 mile loop in the rolling hills north of town before a huge downhill at mile 6. The remainder of the race is an out-and-back along a river trail (with a loop downtown and around a golf course). There are some notable hills at mile 15/23 and between 18-20, but nothing too severe. It's not a flat course, but I wouldn't call it difficult either. Organization was top notch. Having the Event Center open prior to the start made waiting so much easier (plenty of pre-race bathrooms). Aid stations were plentiful and the course was well marked. Finish line was well-stocked with food and drinks. Several hotels around the finish area plus there was a shuttle to the start line. Fan support was pretty sparse, but that's to be expected with a small race in a smaller city. I personally didn't feel the effects of the elevation (Casper sits at about 5100 feet), but I did speak to a few runners that noticed it.

Do Casper. It's a challenging course but fair. RD is wonderful--quick to respond to emails and put together a great race experience. Be prepared for wind and a few hills, and don't discount the elevation. I will be back!