Cowboy 200 - Norfolk, NE

The Cowboy 200

The Cowboy 200 is a point-to-point footrace along Nebraska's Cowboy Trail that travels from Norfolk to Valentine. The event offers two distance options and is staged on a rails-to-trails corridor with crushed gravel and limestone surfaces. The route is non-technical, fully runnable, and largely flat.

The trail passes through small towns and rural landscapes and includes many remnants of the former railroad. Runners encounter over 200 former railway bridges along the course, including a bridge reported as about one quarter mile long and 148 feet high. The route also passes historic structures such as old railroad depots and a water-powered gristmill.

Distances

• 200-mile point-to-point from Norfolk to Valentine, no repetition
• 100-mile option beginning in Atkinson, NE

Aid and support are organized along the course. The race provides 11 fully stocked aid stations, at least eight unmanned aid stations, and three sleep stations. Runners are allowed to sleep in crew vehicles or tents at all full or manned aid stations.

Key rules and time limits are enforced. Runners must be at least 18 years old, may not use muling, and must check in and out of full aid stations. Assistance is restricted to designated aid areas and runners must carry required gear. Cutoffs are 84 hours for the 200-mile solo and 32 hours for the 100-mile solo; additional aid station cutoffs appear in the runner's manual. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.