Gear Western Country Half Marathon & 5k
October 19, 2024
Long Lake
Road
100-500
Fast & Flat
Small Town
High: 60°
/ Low: 38°
Overview
The gently rolling hills along the country roads of this small southern Minnesota town just outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul area are set for the 12th annual running of the Gear Western Country Half Marathon & 5K in the middle of October 2023, a race that will feature country music bands playing live at the post-race party and a cowboy hat at the finish line.
Organized and sponsored by Gear West Cross Country Ski and Run, an atheltic store on Wayzata Boulevard in Long Lake (which also lies along the southern shoreline of the lake that gives the town its name), the race will follow an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at Gear West (on 1786 W. Wayzata Boulevard).
Course Description
From there, the race heads south for a pair of four-mile loops before heading back to the store for the race finish.
If you want an extra challenge, enter the Hobby Horse division — not only will you get 50% off your half marathon registration, but you’ll have a chance at setting the world record for the fastest half marathon while running with a hobby horse. Bring your handmade hobby horse and good spirits for the designated gallop zones, and maybe that record setter will be you.
The weather should be ideal for running this time of year, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s, and the terrain should be ideal as well, with plenty of stretches within sight of the plentiful lakes that surround Long Lake here just outside Minneapolis.
