Back of the Pack Podcast

This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we head back to Bucyrus, Kansas for the 2026 Running with the Cows Half Marathon. After a few years away from this race, we return to see how this beloved local event is holding up, and whether we could finally make peace with a course that has not always been kind to us. The morning started nearly perfect, with cool temperatures, a strong crowd, smooth race morning packet pickup, and that familiar small-town energy that makes this race special. Of course, as the sun climbed higher over the wide-open Kansas roads, things started to warm up quickly, reminding us that summer running season is right around the corner. We break down the course, the hills, the out-and-backs, the mental grind of hearing the finish line before actually getting there, and the challenge of keeping a goal pace when the day starts heating up. Along the way, we also talk about seeing familiar faces, meeting podcast listeners on course, and the community support that keeps this race feeling like more than just another half marathon. As always, Running with the Cows delivered its famous post-race spread, complete with chocolate milk, great food, and even a smoked ham donation situation that may have been the true victory of the morning. We also give an honest look at a few small hiccups, from pacing confusion to medal expectations, while still celebrating what was overall a very successful return to Bucyrus. If you enjoy race reviews with sunshine, hills, cows, barbecue, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting, this episode is ready for you.