Gear Western Country Half Marathon & 5K
Long Lake, MN
- Half Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Gear Western Country Half Marathon and Borton Volvo 5K is a small town event with a big time feel. The course offers you a taste of Minnesota in the fall; quiet country roads, rolling hills, lakes, autumn colors and crushed limestone trails. After crossing the finish line, stick around … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 10):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 69 | 81 | 57 | 71 | 71 |
| L (°F) | 48 | 51 | 38 | 41 | 54 |
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Great race!!! Well organized
I signed up for this race because it’s cheap, certified, and fairly close to where I live! I didn’t regret it. If I had one complaint it would be the … MORE
I signed up for this race because it’s cheap, certified, and fairly close to where I live! I didn’t regret it. If I had one complaint it would be the lack of road closures – but tbh, I didn’t have an issue. There were police around the course / at all major intersections (which there really aren’t any major ones) and traffic cops for when you have to cross roads. I never had to stop at all – except to poop (🤭). There is only one porta potty RIGHT on the trail fyi – 2 or 3 more that you’d have to run ~10 seconds (each way) over to to use….
Plenty of volunteers at each turn, NEVER got confused on which way to go (and im prone to getting confused lol). As for swag there wasn’t much – hence why the entry fee was so cheap – but they cook everyone a full breakfast after (eggs, ham, bacon, pancakes etc!!!) as well as fruit, chips, various sports recovery drinks etc. very generous of them. As for the course difficulty, I was between a 3 and 4. For most I’d give it a 4 because it’s quite hilly!!! And I was very nervous, having driven the course beforehand and seeing all
the hills! But, I was prepared well, did hill training, and came out WAY better than expected.
Would do it again.
Western themed fun on a hobby horse!
This a smaller race in Long Lake, MN and it is so fun! My friend and I Decided to make it even more fun with hobby horses, which is a … MORE
This a smaller race in Long Lake, MN and it is so fun! My friend and I Decided to make it even more fun with hobby horses, which is a choice. While it is challenging to hang on to a hobby horse while running it was just fun to do something different and be silly. The course is beautiful and it was a cool, crisp and sunny fall day adding to the great scenery. The after party is above and beyond, with delicious food: corn on the cob, pancakes, sausage, etc. along with the usual post race snacks. Our swag was a blanket this year that looks really nice but because of shipping issues they did not have yet. (And as of November still do not have) There was no medal for the 5k which is a bummer, the first year I did this two years ago there was a 5k medal. So that would be my one complaint. We just like our medals! I hope to get the blanket soon, it will be a trek back to Long lake to get it from where I live but it’s a beautiful little town to visit, so will make due.
Definitely a Fun Western themed Race
The weather was not great, a very early cold and windy wintery mix we had - but it did not sour the mood and fun of the race. It was … MORE
The weather was not great, a very early cold and windy wintery mix we had – but it did not sour the mood and fun of the race. It was a great area to hold a race and wished I had done the half to see more. The swag is awesome, very soft and quality flannel shirt. The medals are cute horse shoe shaped and three deep age group awards given (placed 2nd and received a cute horseshoe plaque. Then the food was fantastic, corn on the cob, pancakes and hot dogs at the finish line along with other snacks. I can’t properly rate the difficulty of the course because it all seemed difficult in the sleet and wind, plus fighting a head cold. But for the 5k there were some hills. I will do this again and probably the half marathon distance.
Best half I've ran.
Super fun race to be a part of in any way, shape or form. Fun theme, and beautiful course. Half on pavement, about half on trails. I PR'ed by over … MORE
Super fun race to be a part of in any way, shape or form. Fun theme, and beautiful course. Half on pavement, about half on trails. I PR’ed by over 10 minutes.