WELCOME TO THE COWBOY 200!

2027 COWBOY 200
SEPTEMBER 24–27, 2027
6:00 AM START
NORFOLK, NEBRASKA → VALENTINE, NEBRASKA
200 MILES • 84-HOUR CUTOFF • 200-RUNNER CAPACITY
The Cowboy 200 is a point-to-point 200-mile footrace across northern Nebraska on the Cowboy Trail. The course is non-technical, runnable, almost entirely crushed limestone trail, and offers more than 200 miles with virtually no repetition.

2027: THE ROAD TO 100
200 RUNNERS. 200 MILES. 100 FINISHERS. ONE GOAL.
For 2027, the Cowboy 200 is expanding to a maximum of 200 runners with one major goal: 100 finishers.
Western States Endurance Run has confirmed that the Cowboy 200 course meets its trail requirements. If we reach 100 finishers in 2027, Cowboy would become eligible to be added as a Western States qualifying race for 2028, subject to Western States’ final approval and listing.

The 2027 Cowboy 200 itself is NOT a Western States qualifier. We are trying to earn that status for the following year.
This is our Road to 100 — and every runner who toes the line in 2027 is part of it.

PRICE SCHEDULE
Opening price — $650
October 31, 2026 — $700
March 1, 2027 — $750

COWBOY 200 HIGHLIGHTS

• 200+ MILES WITH VIRTUALLY ZERO REPETITION. A true point-to-point journey across northern Nebraska from Norfolk to Valentine.

• 84-HOUR CUTOFF. A generous but challenging cutoff that makes Cowboy an excellent choice for first-time 200-mile runners, experienced runners chasing a faster time, and 200-mile veterans who simply want an incredible race experience.

• AN INCREDIBLE ULTRA COMMUNITY. Cowboy has developed a distinctly Midwestern atmosphere that is hard to replicate. Runners, crews, volunteers, local communities, and race staff spend four days moving across Nebraska together, and many Cowboy runners return year after year.

• EXTREMELY RUNNABLE COURSE. The Cowboy Trail is predominantly crushed limestone with minimal technical terrain and very little elevation gain. Don't mistake runnable for easy — 200 miles is still 200 miles.

• FULL AID STATIONS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 15–20 MILES, with additional unmanned water stations between many full aid stations. Runners also pass through numerous small Nebraska communities along the route.

• LIVE GPS TRACKING provided for every runner.

• PROFESSIONAL RACE PHOTOGRAPHY by Brooke Kaczor.

• FOX BRUSH FILMS will be documenting the 2027 Cowboy 200 for a full mini-documentary. BE PART OF THE STORY!

• COWBOY 200 SWAG includes a Free Sunshields Cowboy 200 sun hoodie, Cowboy 200 drawstring bag, and another TBD item. Finishers earn a unique, year-specific Cowboy 200 finisher buckle — we create a new buckle design every year!

• AN EPIC FINISH AT BOLO BEER CO. After more than 200 miles across Nebraska, runners finish at Bolo Beer Co. in Valentine — one of the best finish-line environments in ultrarunning. First beer on us!

• 200-RUNNER MAXIMUM. Cowboy is growing for the Road to 100, but we're not changing what Cowboy is. We intend to preserve the personal, community-driven race atmosphere that has made runners come back year after year.

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, CUTOFFS, AND RACE CAPACITY

Full/manned aid stations are located approximately every 15–20 miles throughout the Cowboy 200. Additional unmanned water stations are located between many of the full aid stations.

CREW ACCESS IS PERMITTED ONLY AT FULL/MANNED AID STATIONS. Crew may not meet, assist, or provide supplies to runners at unmanned water stations or anywhere else along the course.

The complete 2027 aid-station chart — including mileage, cutoff times, crew access, pacer access, drop bags, sleep stations, and other services — is provided in the 2027 Cowboy 200 Runner’s Manual.

The Cowboy 200 has an 84-hour overall cutoff. The race begins at 6:00 AM on Friday, September 24, 2027, and the final cutoff is 6:00 PM on Monday, September 27.

The 2027 Cowboy 200 is limited to 200 registered runners.

There are intermediate aid-station cutoffs throughout the course. Runners must leave each cutoff aid station by the published cutoff time in order to continue. Complete cutoff information is provided in the 2027 Cowboy 200 Runner’s Manual.

If the race reaches its 200-runner capacity, registration will close and a waitlist will be opened. Waitlist positions are strictly first come, first served based on the time each runner joins the waitlist. Complete waitlist procedures are provided in the 2027 Cowboy 200 Runner’s Manual.

SWAG, AWARDS, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND FILM

Every registered Cowboy 200 runner receives:

• Free Sunshields Cowboy 200 sun hoodie
• TBD item
• Additional race swag and goodies

Finishers earn the Cowboy 200 finisher buckle. The Cowboy 200 buckle is redesigned every year, making each year’s buckle unique to that edition of the race. For runners who return to Cowboy year after year, every finish adds another unique buckle to the collection.

Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers.

NEW FOR 2027:
Cowboy 200 will no longer offer individual prize money. Instead, the prize money previously awarded at the Cowboy 200 will move to the Midwest Rail Trail Double, with $1,500 awarded to the top male finisher and $1,500 to the top female finisher based on the lowest combined time across the Hawkeye 200 and Cowboy 200.

Professional race photography by Brooke Kaczor will return for the 2027 Cowboy 200. Race photography is included with registration and will be made available to runners following the event.

Fox Brush Films will also be joining us for the 2027 Cowboy 200 to produce a full mini-documentary telling the story of the race, its runners, and our Road to 100.

2027 will be a unique year in Cowboy history. We're bringing together 200 runners with the goal of putting 100 across the finish line and earning Cowboy the opportunity to become Nebraska's first Western States qualifying race.

BE PART OF THE STORY!

RULES, PACERS, AND REQUIRED GEAR

All runners are responsible for knowing and following the rules, required-gear requirements, pacer rules, crew rules, and other race policies contained in the 2027 Cowboy 200 Runner’s Manual.

Pacers are permitted during designated portions of the race. Specific pacer locations, requirements, and restrictions are provided in the Runner’s Manual.

Cowboy 200 has mandatory required gear. Runners must carry all required items during the portions of the race for which they are required. Complete required-gear information is provided in the Runner’s Manual.

Crew access is permitted ONLY at full/manned aid stations. Crewing anywhere else along the course, including unmanned water stations, is prohibited.

NEW FOR 2027: RVs, travel trailers, and other vehicles that do not fit within a standard parking space are not permitted at Cowboy 200 aid stations. Complete crew vehicle and parking rules are provided in the Runner’s Manual.

The 2027 Cowboy 200 Runner’s Manual is considered part of the race rules, and runners are responsible for reviewing it before race day. We highly recommend reading the Runner’s Manual before registering.

Shuttle

A pre-race shuttle from Valentine to the start in Norfolk will be available for runners who need transportation to the start.
Shuttle tickets must be purchased separately through the UltraSignup Store. SHUTTLE TICKETS ARE NONREFUNDABLE AND NONTRANSFERABLE.

Runners using the shuttle should plan to leave their vehicle in Valentine and ride the shuttle to Norfolk before the race. Complete shuttle schedules, pickup information, parking instructions, and other logistics are provided in the 2027 Cowboy 200 Runner’s Manual.

WITHDRAWAL AND CREDIT

Cowboy 200 does not offer refunds or bib transfers. Runners who withdraw may receive race credit based on the date the withdrawal is completed:

120+ days before the race — 100% race credit
90–119 days — 75% race credit
60–89 days — 50% race credit
30–59 days — 25% race credit
Less than 30 days — No race credit


Race credit is determined ONLY by the date of withdrawal. Injury, illness, family emergencies, medical advice, travel issues, or any other reason do not change the applicable race-credit amount. There are no exceptions to the published timeline.

Runners must complete their own withdrawal through UltraSignup. Emailing or messaging race staff does not initiate a withdrawal.

WITHDRAWAL INSTRUCTIONS: Log in to your UltraSignup account and complete the withdrawal from your registration/order. Step-by-step withdrawal instructions are provided in the Withdrawal & Race Credit section of the 2027 Cowboy 200 Runner’s Manual.

Race credit is nontransferable, remains with the runner’s UltraSignup account, and may be used toward any Ultraverse race within one year of the withdrawal date.

RUNNERS MANUAL AND MILITARY DISCOUNT

PLEASE READ THE 2027 COWBOY 200 RUNNER’S MANUAL BEFORE REGISTERING.

The Runner’s Manual contains the complete rules and operational information for the Cowboy 200, including course and aid-station information, intermediate cutoffs, crew and pacer rules, required gear, drop bags, shuttle procedures, withdrawal instructions, waitlist procedures, parking, race-week logistics, and other important race policies.

The Runner’s Manual is considered part of the Cowboy 200 race rules. Runners are responsible for knowing and following the information contained in it.

2027 COWBOY 200 RUNNER’S MANUAL:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U-uw8snhQaSosHR8tczcmtZk6R1Dl883/edit?rtpof=true&sd=true&tab=t.0

Active-duty military members and veterans are eligible for a 10% registration discount.

Contact us at info@ultraversesupplements.com BEFORE registering to receive the discount code. Discounts cannot be applied retroactively after registration.

Event's current local time: 2:54 AM CT