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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LINCOLN, Neb. (June 8, 2016) – The Nebraska Tourism Commission will host two events along the Cowboy Trail this weekend, the second Nebraska Tourism Cares service project and the Cowboy Ultra.
The Cowboy Ultra is a two day race (June 11 and 12) that will guide runners (solo and relay teams) across the 187 completed miles of the Cowboy Trail, from Valentine, Neb. to Norfolk, Neb.
“What makes this event so fun is the venue. Not many people running the Ultra have ran on the Cowboy Trail, let alone the whole thing,” said Nebraska Tourism Commission Eco-Tourism Consultant, Alex Duryea. “It’s going to be a unique event."
For more information on the Cowboy Ultra visit to RaceRegister.net or call 402-432-3622. Also, check out the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/547169648766258/?active_tab=highlights
When completed, the Cowboy Trail will be the longest former stretch of railroad to be converted into a trail in the United States. The trail allows for biking, horseback riding and hiking and spans from Norfolk to Valentine, passing through many small towns. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has operated and maintained the trail since 1994 when it was gifted to them by the Nebraska Legislature. A portion of the proceeds from the Cowboy Ultra will support improvements in Nebraska’s state parks and recreation areas.
On the unfinished part of the trail, near Chadron, Nebraska Tourism Cares volunteers from across the state will be preparing the trail the first five miles east of Chadron for further development. On June 11 and 12, helping-hands will clear old railroad ties and do various other tasks. “This project will help increase awareness in our community and the entire state about the importance of the Cowboy Trail,” said Kristina Harter, Dawes County Tourism Director. “We are eager to pull on our gloves on and begin cleaning up debris and building bridges from Chadron heading east. This is just the beginning of a big project, but we are confident that the end result will attract a substantial number of visitors that will come to enjoy it.”
Volunteers can still sign up at http://visitnebraska.com/media/industry/nebraska-tourism-cares or simply meet the crew on Friday at 12 p.m. MST at the Museum of the Fur Trade.
Nebraska Tourism plans to coordinate four service projects annually, two of which will be selected over the summer months. The next round of applications are due June 30, 2016 and can be found at http://visitnebraska.com/media/industry/nebraska-tourism-cares.
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