WELCOME TO THE COWBOY 200!
Two race options
200-mile - Friday, Sept. 25th at 6:00 AM (in Norfolk, NE)
100-mile - Saturday, Sept. 26th at 8:00 AM (in Atkinson, NE)
The Cowboy 200 is 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 a non-technical, 100% runnable, crushed limestone path inaccessible to motor vehicles. There will be short paved sections when running through towns along the route.
COWBOY 200 HIGHLIGHTS
• 200+ miles with ZERO repetition.
• 100-mile option.
• Cash prize for 1st place male AND female in the 200-mile solo run. $1500 prize (each gender) + an additional $500 for new course records!
• Awesome swag!
• Ten manned aid stations, most with hot food. Nine additional unmanned aid stations with water only. Three sleep stations.
• The course will start in Norfolk and head west along the Cowboy Trail to Valentine.
•1/3 the price of other zero repetition 200-milers.
• Finish line/post-run celebration at Bolo Beer Co. in Valentine, NE
• Live GPS tracking by Legends Tracking USA
CUTOFFS AND RACE CAPACITY
200-mile solo cutoff – 84 hours (25:12/mile average)
100-mile solo cutoff – 32 hours (19:12/mile average)
Additional aid station-specific cutoffs will be posted in the runner’s manual
We limit to 150 total runners between both races. The 100-mile race will be initially capped at 50 total runners to allow space for one hundred 200-milers. Please see the next section labeled "sellout procedure" understand how we handle a sellout in each race.
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
There will be 10 full/manned aid stations along the 200 miles (not including the start and finish). These will be located in towns along the route. There will also be nine unmanned aid stations that will have water only
Full/manned aid stations will have a variety of typical runner’s food. MOST full aid stations will also have at least one hot food item. We will have at least one plant-based hot food option at full-aid stations serving hot food.
Crewing is not allowed at unmanned aid stations. Doing so is grounds for disqualification.
SELLOUT PROCEDURE
We initially allow for 50 x 100-mile spots and 100 x 200-mile spots.
When the 100-mile race is full, a waitlist will be automatically opened.
If the 200 does not fill by 5/1/26, 100-milers will be removed from the waitlist to fill up to the 150 total runner capacity.
Once at capacity, 200-milers on the waitlist will always be given priority.
If the 200 fills prior to 5/1/26, a waitlist will be created and priority on the waitlist will ALWAYS be given to 200-mile runners.
Priority means that as long as there is a 200-miler on the waitlist, that person will be selected in the event of a spot opening rather than a 100-miler, no matter the amount of registrations currently in the 100-mile race.
After 5/1, If there are no 200-milers waitlisted at the time of a spot opening, a 100-miler will be selected.
All selections from the respective waitlists are done in order of registration (first come, first serve). No skipping lines for friends, elite runners, etc.
In the event of selection, you will be sent an email invitation. Accepting takes you to the payment screen. You have 24 hours to accept and pay. If not done within 24-hours you will be removed from the waitlist (and lose your spot). Keep an eye on the waitlist. We are not responsible for the email going to junk or for you missing it for any reason.
200-mile SWAG AND AWARDS
Runners will receive a FREE SUNSHIELDS Cowboy 200 UPF Shirt, a Cowboy 200 Tri-blend T-shirt, and an Ultraverse Supplements collapsible cup (this is a cupless race). 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! Runners 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 reward of $1500. Winners who also set a new course record will receive an additional $500.
We will have professional photography FREE FOR DOWNLOAD by Brook Kaczor - https://www.brookekaczorphoto.com/
100-mile SWAG AND AWARDS
All runners receive a Cowboy 100 drawstring bag and a high-quality cotton/poly blend t-shirt. Additional freebie items will be included in swag bags!
Finishers will receive a Cowboy 100 buckle and a free beer from Bolo Beer Co.
Additional prizes for the top 3 male and female finishers (TBD)
We will have professional photography FREE FOR DOWNLOAD by Brook Kaczor - https://www.brookekaczorphoto.com/
RULES
For a complete list of rules see the runners manual.
Pacers
Pacers will be allowed for 200-mile and 100-mile runners.
Pacers can only start at FULL/MANNED/CREW ACCESSIBLE aid stations.
Pacers cannot carry anything for their runner (no muling) and must carry all the same required gear as runners.
See runners manual for more info.
REQUIRED GEAR
REQUIRED GEAR for a complete list of required gear please see the runner's manual at https://ultraversesupplements.com/our-races/the-cowboy-200-ultra
Shuttle
There WILL be a shuttle for non-crewed runners. All shuttle tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable, and are not counted in deferral credit.
Please see the runner's manual for shuttle details.
GOALS
It is our goal to put on a world-class ultra-running experience connecting runners to the rich history, beautiful landscapes, and wonderful communities that are in abundance along the Cowboy Trail. Additionally, we hope to provide a more affordable option for a “no repetition” 200-mile race while still providing everything runners come to expect in races 3x the price.
Presented by Ultraverse Supplements - Endurance Evolved.
https://ultraversesupplements.com/
Refunds/Deferrals
NO REFUNDS
NO BIB TRANSFERS
Entry can be deferred for 100% race credit if done at least 3 months prior to the race.
Entry can be deferred for 75% race credit if done at least 2 months prior to the race.
Entry can be deferred for 50% race credit if done at least 1 month prior to the race.
Entry can be deferred for 25% race credit if done at least 2 weeks prior to the race.
NO DEFERRALS AFTER SEPTEMBER 1ST. No credit will be given after this date.
Please understand that there are no exceptions to these timelines. Please, don’t ask us to make one (we won’t).
•Races should deferred/withdrawn from BY THE RUNNER, rather than by messaging/emailing us.
• You will earn credit for ANY Ultraverse Supplements race, rather than being limited to the race in which you cancelled/deferred.
• The credit will be attached to your Ultrasignup account and will automatically apply the next time you register for an Ultraverse Supplements event. Note - sending an email to us does not initiate the cancellation of your registration. You must do this yourself for the credit to apply. You can do this by signing into Ultrasignup and then going to your registrations and clicking “edit”.
• Your credit appears in your registration history under "outstanding credits and coupons".
You can see all Ultraverse Supplements races at www.ultraversesupplements.com.
Runners Manual
Please see the runner's manual at https://ultraversesupplements.com/our-races/the-cowboy-200 for more detailed information. 2025 RUNNERS MANUAL COMING IN EARLY 2025.
MILITARY DISCOUNT
Please reach out for 10% off for all veterans and active-duty military. This cannot be applied after the fact - you must reach out prior to registration for your coupon code.
Event's current local time: 8:43 AM CT
