New for 2022! 5-person Relay
Running is better when done together! We are throwing back to the early years of the Laugh-and with the addition of a relay race. Each 5-person relay team will complete the half-marathon course with 4 runners and 1 driver. Each team driver will transport their team runners to the designated exchange points: runner relay legs 1 to 2, and 3 to 4 at 25th St. and runners 2 to 3 where the trail meets Battle Creek Road, see map for more details. Each team member receives an official Laugh-and-a-half-marathon race shirt and the winning team will receive a team trophy and each member receives a 1st place medal!
Routes
Enjoy the scenic beauty while running along the Elkhorn River on the Cowboy Trail during one of Norfolk's most beautiful seasons of the year! Check out the links below for detailed maps of our routes:
Running is better when done together! We are throwing back to the early years of the Laugh-and with the addition of a relay race. Each 5-person relay team will complete the half-marathon course with 4 runners and 1 driver. Each team driver will transport their team runners to the designated exchange points: runner relay legs 1 to 2, and 3 to 4 at 25th St. and runners 2 to 3 where the trail meets Battle Creek Road, see map for more details. Each team member receives an official Laugh-and-a-half-marathon race shirt and the winning team will receive a team trophy and each member receives a 1st place medal!
Routes
Enjoy the scenic beauty while running along the Elkhorn River on the Cowboy Trail during one of Norfolk's most beautiful seasons of the year! Check out the links below for detailed maps of our routes:
Race-day Schedule
6:00 a.m...........Race-day packet pick-up begins
7:00 a.m...........START for half-marathon
7:10 a.m............START for 10K
7:20 a.m............START for 5K
7:30 a.m............START for Relay
8:00 - 10:30 a.m.…..Awards ceremonies & After-party; Order of awards: 5K, Team Challenge, 10K, Half-marathon
9:45 a.m........START for Kids Fun Run (awards to follow)
11:00 a.m..........Race courses CLOSED*
*Course Time Limit Enforcement: All runners or walkers must complete the course in less than four hours. Timing and course monitoring will be discontinued by 11:00 a.m. Schedule above is approximate and subject to change.
Packet Pick-up & Post-race
Packet pick-up will be held at the Elkhorn Lodge at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park at the following times:
After-party Post-race Free Pancake Feed + Beer! Don’t miss the post-race after-party from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. at the start/finish area. *beer served to those over 21
Kids Fun Run
The kids fun run is for kids ages 12 and under and will run on an out and back 1-mile course on a portion of the half-marathon/10K/5K route. Kids are welcome to run any length within the course distance they are able or prefer, however, in order to be eligible for official awards the child must complete the entire 1-mile distance. The start will be on the road in front of the Elkhorn Lodge. The run will start at 10:00 a.m. Signs and announcements will direct children and parents to the start and give race instructions. Race day registrations will be taken. Children registered prior to June 2 are guaranteed a participant race t-shirt and ribbon. Registration from June 2-15 does not guarantee a participant t-shirt. Parents or legal guardians of all participating children must sign a waiver prior to the start. The top three winners in each age division (7 and under; 8-12) will receive special award ribbons.
Parking and Race Start/Finish
Parking Map
The start and finish area for all races will be on McKinley Avenue north of Ta-Ha-Zouka Park. Please view the above route maps for more details. Participant and spectator parking areas will be located within Ta-Ha-Zouka Park and in the parking lot located just south of the Kids Fun Run (softball field) and McKinley Avenue near the start/finish area. Please look for signs and volunteers to direct you. Listen for detailed race instructions shortly before your race and give yourself plenty of time to get to the start, stretch and hydrate. There will be a large digital clock at the finish line. When you cross over the series of finish line timing mats, keep moving forward to allow room for others to complete their race and for you to enjoy the festivities at the finish area. Do not re-enter the course or cross the chip mats at the finish a second time.
Accommodations
A number of motels and hotels are available in Norfolk and the surrounding area. Click for accommodations in Norfolk and Madison county. Tent and RV camping in Ta-Ha-Zouka Park is also available, however, space is limited and spots are first-come, first-serve.
Race Numbers and Timing
Chip timing will be provided by Heartland Timing. Timing mats will be set up at the start and finish of the course. Please be sure to cross the mats and do not return over them.
Wearing Your Race Number
Water and First Aid
Race Route Maps with Water Stations
Water stations with water and cups are located throughout the course, however, runners are strongly encouraged to carry their own bottles or hydration supplies. If you need medical assistance during the race, please notify a volunteer along the course. Medical volunteers are available to help and are authorized to remove runners from the course, who are deemed medically impaired. A first aid station with medical personnel will be available at the start/finish area and at the half-marathon half-way point. Medical personnel will also be monitoring other areas of the course.
Weather and Climate
Norfolk, Nebraska typically sees mild to moderately warm and occasionally hot weather in June, with the city's average monthly temperatures ranging between 82°F and 58°F. On the day of the race, the average high is 81°F and the average low is 58°F. To ensure proper hydration, it is recommended that participants drink early and drink often. In the event of severe weather, specific instructions will be announced at the race start/finish area as well as communicated to runners and volunteers along the course.
6:00 a.m...........Race-day packet pick-up begins
7:00 a.m...........START for half-marathon
7:10 a.m............START for 10K
7:20 a.m............START for 5K
7:30 a.m............START for Relay
8:00 - 10:30 a.m.…..Awards ceremonies & After-party; Order of awards: 5K, Team Challenge, 10K, Half-marathon
9:45 a.m........START for Kids Fun Run (awards to follow)
11:00 a.m..........Race courses CLOSED*
*Course Time Limit Enforcement: All runners or walkers must complete the course in less than four hours. Timing and course monitoring will be discontinued by 11:00 a.m. Schedule above is approximate and subject to change.
Packet Pick-up & Post-race
Packet pick-up will be held at the Elkhorn Lodge at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park at the following times:
- Friday: 4 - 7 p.m.
- Saturday: 6 - 6:45 a.m.
After-party Post-race Free Pancake Feed + Beer! Don’t miss the post-race after-party from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. at the start/finish area. *beer served to those over 21
Kids Fun Run
The kids fun run is for kids ages 12 and under and will run on an out and back 1-mile course on a portion of the half-marathon/10K/5K route. Kids are welcome to run any length within the course distance they are able or prefer, however, in order to be eligible for official awards the child must complete the entire 1-mile distance. The start will be on the road in front of the Elkhorn Lodge. The run will start at 10:00 a.m. Signs and announcements will direct children and parents to the start and give race instructions. Race day registrations will be taken. Children registered prior to June 2 are guaranteed a participant race t-shirt and ribbon. Registration from June 2-15 does not guarantee a participant t-shirt. Parents or legal guardians of all participating children must sign a waiver prior to the start. The top three winners in each age division (7 and under; 8-12) will receive special award ribbons.
Parking and Race Start/Finish
Parking Map
The start and finish area for all races will be on McKinley Avenue north of Ta-Ha-Zouka Park. Please view the above route maps for more details. Participant and spectator parking areas will be located within Ta-Ha-Zouka Park and in the parking lot located just south of the Kids Fun Run (softball field) and McKinley Avenue near the start/finish area. Please look for signs and volunteers to direct you. Listen for detailed race instructions shortly before your race and give yourself plenty of time to get to the start, stretch and hydrate. There will be a large digital clock at the finish line. When you cross over the series of finish line timing mats, keep moving forward to allow room for others to complete their race and for you to enjoy the festivities at the finish area. Do not re-enter the course or cross the chip mats at the finish a second time.
Accommodations
A number of motels and hotels are available in Norfolk and the surrounding area. Click for accommodations in Norfolk and Madison county. Tent and RV camping in Ta-Ha-Zouka Park is also available, however, space is limited and spots are first-come, first-serve.
Race Numbers and Timing
Chip timing will be provided by Heartland Timing. Timing mats will be set up at the start and finish of the course. Please be sure to cross the mats and do not return over them.
Wearing Your Race Number
- Fasten your race number securely to your FRONT using the safety pins provided. Your bib number must be visible at all times during the race.
- Timing chips are embedded into each participants bib number. Your time will NOT start until you cross the start line so don't worry if you are not at the front of the pack.
Water and First Aid
Race Route Maps with Water Stations
Water stations with water and cups are located throughout the course, however, runners are strongly encouraged to carry their own bottles or hydration supplies. If you need medical assistance during the race, please notify a volunteer along the course. Medical volunteers are available to help and are authorized to remove runners from the course, who are deemed medically impaired. A first aid station with medical personnel will be available at the start/finish area and at the half-marathon half-way point. Medical personnel will also be monitoring other areas of the course.
Weather and Climate
Norfolk, Nebraska typically sees mild to moderately warm and occasionally hot weather in June, with the city's average monthly temperatures ranging between 82°F and 58°F. On the day of the race, the average high is 81°F and the average low is 58°F. To ensure proper hydration, it is recommended that participants drink early and drink often. In the event of severe weather, specific instructions will be announced at the race start/finish area as well as communicated to runners and volunteers along the course.
