Mainly Marathons Center of the Nation Series

Center of the Nation : Mainly Marathons Series

Center of the Nation is a six-day marathon series held September 28 to October 3, 2026, that visits six states: Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. Each day features a loop course at a different park or recreation area, with surfaces and lap counts that vary by location.

Day 1 in Cheyenne, WY (Lions Park) uses paved and concrete paths with about 48 feet elevation gain per lap and a tentative 14-lap marathon. Day 2 in Sterling, CO (Pioneer Park) runs on fine loose gravel with about 40 feet elevation gain per lap and a tentative 14-lap marathon. Day 3 at Chadron State Park, NE is mostly asphalt with a short grass/dirt section, about 46 feet gain per lap and a tentative 12-lap marathon. Day 4 at Rocky Point Recreation Area, SD is smooth asphalt with little shade, about 16 feet gain per lap and a tentative 14-lap marathon. Day 5 at Bowman-Haley Lake, ND is mostly asphalt with some gravel, about 23 feet gain per lap and a tentative 12-lap marathon. Day 6 in Baker, MT starts on gravel then closed asphalt, about 24 feet gain per lap and a tentative 14-lap marathon.

The series uses multi-loop courses with a single large aid station supplying a variety of food and drink and a mobile kitchen called Loony Lunchbox. Packet pickup is offered the day before the series at Lions Park (South Shelter) in Cheyenne and on each race day at that day's location. Early starts are available for half marathon or longer and are suggested for participants expecting to take six hours or more. Generally there is no time limit for marathon and shorter distances, but participants must finish at least 30 minutes before park closing; the final day has a 10 hour limit. Entry methods include online, mail-in form, packet pickup, or race-day registration; entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Distances available include:

• Full marathon
• Half marathon
• 50K
• 10K
• 5K

All participants receive a shirt and multiple medals for each state race; completing all six days earns a Series Finisher Medal. Additional awards include a first-time full or half marathon award and a caboose medal for the final finisher of each marathon and half marathon. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.