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Race Countdown
September 25, 2026 @ 6:00 AM
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 90% crushed gravel.
200-mile
- Starts September 25, 2026 @ 6:00 AM at Ta Ha Zouka Park in Norfolk, NE
- 200+ miles with ZERO repetition
- The course will Start in Norfolk and head west along the Cowboy Trail to Valentine.
100-mile
- Starts September 26, 2026 @ 8:00 AM at the Community Center in Atkinson, NE
2026 Runner’s Manual
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THE ROAD TO 100 — COWBOY 200, 2027
200 Runners. 200 Miles. 100 Finishers. One Goal.
In 2027, we’re going after something big. We want to make the Cowboy 200 Nebraska’s first Western States qualifying race.
READ THE ROAD TO 100
The Cowboy Trail Location and Course
Runners will travel from Norfolk to Valentine on the Cowboy Trail, which is an old rail trail. This route is full of crushed limestone trails that are, of course, closed off to motor vehicles. During your legendary 200-mile adventure, you’ll be immersed fully in nature and get to experience the beauty and solitude of the Nebraska back-country.
Along this amazing journey, you’ll see many ancient relics from the old railroad. You’ll also pass through many quaint, history filled towns still utilizing buildings and artifacts from the old railroad. This includes 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 you’ll cross. This old rail trail consists of more than 200 bridges in total, with the largest being 1/4 mile long and 148 feet high! This truly is a beautiful trek through American’s heartland.
The Cowboy Trail is non-technical, 100% runnable, and extraordinarily flat, making it perfect for your first 200 mile race, or for those wanting to try for a PR.
Rules
- You must be 18 to enter
- Muling is off limits – pacers cannot carry anything for their runners.
- No littering
- Runners MUST check IN and OUT of all full aid stations.
- Runners and pacers must carry all required gear (listed in Runner’s manual).
- Runners cannot be assisted outside of full/crewed aid stations – no interaction with crew outside of these designated areas
- Runners, pacers, and crew must follow all laws and local regulations.
- Runners cannot leave the course to go eat, sleep, etc. Runners must stay on the designated course at all times.
CUTOFFS
- 200-Mile solo cutoff: 84 hours
- 100-Mile solo cutoff: 32 hours
- Additional aid station cutoffs will be listed in the runner’s manual
The cowboy 200
Aid Stations
We will provide 11 fully stocked aid stations, in addition to at least eight unmanned aid stations along the 200-mile course. There will also be three sleep stations along the course. Runners are allowed to sleep in crew vehicles/tents at ALL FULL/MANNED aid stations.
We strongly believe in utilizing buildings in the towns and communities that dot the trail to the best of our abilities for the stocked aid stations. We do this in an effort to provide connectedness between the runners and the communities as well as to create “crew-friendly” aid stations.
Cowboy 200
Cowboy 200 Swag and Awards
200-mile runners
Runners will receive a Cowboy 200 sun hoodie, Cowboy 200 shirt, and a Cowboy 200 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!
Finishers will also receive a 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 prize. The cash prize = $1,500 for men and $1,500 for women. Additionally, winners who set the 200-mile course record, will win an extra $500, which bumps the cash prize to a possible $2,000!
100-mile runners
Runners will receive a Cowboy 100 bag and a high-quality cotton/poly blend shirt. Finishers will receive a Cowboy 100 buckle and a free beer from Bolo Beer Co. There will be additional prizes for top 3 male and female finishers (TBD)
Additional sponsors of the Cowboy 200
