Montana Race Guide: 5K, 10K, Half-Marathons, Marathons, Gravel Races, Trail Races, and More

Apr 20

8 min read

Updated: Aug 25

Runners and cyclists on a sunny forest road. Participants wear bright athletic gear. The mood is energetic, with tall trees lining the path.

Whether you're training for your first 5K or chasing a Boston qualifier, Montana's race calendar offers stunning courses, welcoming communities, and events that celebrate everything from winter's deep freeze to summer's long days. This comprehensive guide covers races across the state organized by season.

SPRING RACES (March - May)

MARCH

Run to the Pub - Bozeman

Mid-March | Half Marathon, 10K

Voted #2 half marathon in the U.S. by Runner's World.

Run for the Luck of It - Missoula

Mid-March | 7 miles, 5K

Run Wild Missoula's St. Patrick's Day race through town.

Cloverfest - Columbia Falls

Mid-March | 5K

St. Patrick's themed run in the Flathead Valley.

St. Patrick's Day Run - Butte

Mid-March | 5K

Mining City St. Patrick's celebration run.

Montana Brewery Running Series Events

Multiple locations throughout spring | 5K

Fun runs starting and ending at breweries statewide. Includes:

- Frenchtown (Late March)

- Helena (Late March)

APRIL

Buttercup Run - Arlee

Early April | Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 Mile

Annual spring fundraiser for Arlee Schools benefiting scholarships and mini-grants for teachers.

5K Brew Run at Mountains Walking - Bozeman

Early April | 5K

Brewery run at Mountains Walking Brewery.

Run for the Trees - Missoula

Mid-April | 10K, 5K

Run Wild Missoula partners with Parks & Recreation for this community race.

Montana Warrior Run - Helena

Mid-April | 10K, 5K

Warrior-themed run in Montana's capital.

Bitterroot Runoff Trail Runs - Lolo

Mid-April | 10 miles, 5 miles

Spring trail running in the Bitterroot Mountains.

Evergreen Rotary Spring Runoff 5K - Kalispell

Late April | 5K

Community 5K in the Flathead Valley benefiting local causes.

Ice Breaker Road Race - Great Falls

Late April | 5 miles, 3 miles, 1 mile

Spring kickoff race in the Electric City.

YMCA Riverbank Run - Missoula

Late April | Distance varies

Missoula YMCA fundraiser along the Clark Fork River.

Montana Brewery Running Series

- Bonner-West Riverside (Early April)

- Stevensville (Mid-April)

- Helena (Mid-April)

- Missoula (Late April)

MAY

Montana Gravel Challenge - Huson

Early May | Gravel race

Don't Fence Me In Trail Run - Helena

Early May | Trail race

Helena trail running event.

Montana Women's Run - Billings

Early May | Women's race

Women-focused running event in Billings.

Kickin Assphault Half Marathon - Great Falls

Mid-May | Half Marathon

Great Falls' spring half marathon.

Whitefish Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K - Whitefish

Mid-May | Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K

One of Montana's three largest marathons with views of Glacier National Park.

Frank Newman Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay - Bozeman to Livingston

Late May | Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay

Montana's most affordable marathon at just $5.

Montana Brewery Running Series - Kalispell (Early May)

SUMMER RACES (June - August)

JUNE

Buzzard Day Run - Glendive

Mid-June | Half Marathon

Eastern Montana half marathon.

Pengelly Double Dip / Bob Hayes Single Dip - Missoula

Early June | Trail race

Iconic Missoula summer trail race with serious mountain scenery and "serious shenanigans."

Governor's Cup - Helena

Mid-June | Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Mile Fun Run, Kids Marathon

Established in 1974, this nearly 50-year Helena institution.

Bear Paw Marathon - Havre

Early June | Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K

Northern Montana's marathon in the Hi-Line region.

Montana Brewery Running Series- Thompson Falls

Mid-June

Missoula Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K - Missoula

Late June | Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, Kids Marathon, 3-Mile Shakeout

Montana's premier running event with 2,100+ half marathon finishers.

Herron Half, 10K, and 5K- Kalispell

Late June | Marathon (trail)

Flathead Valley trail marathon.

JULY

Madison Marathon - Ennis

Mid-July | Marathon

Marathon in the scenic Madison Valley.

Big Sky State Games Road Races - Laurel

Mid-July | Half Marathon, 5K

Multi-sport festival including running events.

Yellowstone Half Marathon & 5K - West Yellowstone

Mid-July | Half Marathon, 5K

Technical trail race through Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Headwaters Bank Run - Three Forks

Late July | Half Marathon

Where three rivers meet - Missouri Headwaters race.

Montana Brewery Running Series

- Missoula (Mid-July)

- Anaconda (Late July)

AUGUST

The Yellowstone Trail Marathon & Races - West Yellowstone

Early-August | 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon, 25K, 10K, 5K

Mixed-terrain races on the Rendezvous Ski Trails with rolling terrain through the forest.

Robert's Run - Hamilton

Early August | 10K, 5K, 1 Mile

A community run in memory of Robert Leonardi, benefiting the Play Like Robert Foundation and its work on pedestrian safety projects in Hamilton.

YFC Seeley Lake Challenge - Seeley Lake

Early August | Triathlon, Duathlon

Beginner-friendly open water triathlon and duathlon on Seeley Lake, with swim, bike, and run legs on trail and dirt road.

Mission Mountain Classic - Ronan

Early August | 5K

Race through the streets of Ronan during Pioneer Days, with a straight-on view of the Mission Mountains.

Last Herron Standing Backyard Ultra - Kalispell

Early August | Backyard Ultra

Last-runner-standing format: a 4.167-mile loop every hour until only one person is left.

Judith Mountain 10K - Lewistown

Early August | 10K

Central Montana trail race through the Judith Mountains.

Love for Lexy's Color Run - Billings

Early August | 5K

Family-friendly color run raising funds in memory of Lexy.

Get Lost Gravel - Hamilton

Early August | 32, 47, and 82-mile routes (bike)

Gravel race through the Bitterroot Valley benefiting the Play Like Robert Foundation.

The Sweet Pea Run - Bozeman

Early August | 5K, 10K

Longtime Bozeman race tied to the annual Sweet Pea Festival.

Quality of Life Run - Billings

Early August | 5 Mile, 2 Mile

Established Billings race benefiting Off The Streets.

Snowbowl 15K - Missoula

Early August | 15K (trail)

Climbing trail race up and around Montana Snowbowl ski resort.

Smelter City Scamper - Anaconda

Early August | Half Marathon, 10K, 5K

Community race through Anaconda supporting food access and community health, held during Smeltermen's Day.

Blacktail Balderdash - Lakeside

Early August | 5, 10, 20 miles

An off-trail, choose-your-own-adventure footrace up and around Blacktail Mountain.

Nitty Gritty Off Road Race - Red Lodge

Mid-August | Half Marathon (trail)

Trail half marathon in the Beartooths.

The Augúst - Helena

Mid-August | 5K

Montana's second-oldest footrace, a fundraiser for local high school cross-country teams.

Big Sky Biggie - Big Sky

Late August | 50, 30, and 15-mile courses (mountain bike)

Cross-country mountain bike race through Big Sky's singletrack and gravel roads.

Race Montana Triathlon and Duathlon - Great Falls

Late August | Triathlon, Duathlon

18th annual sprint triathlon and duathlon at the Electric City Water Park.

River City Roots Run - Missoula

Late August | 4 mile run

Long-running Missoula community race tied to the River City Roots Festival.

Canine Classic at Paws Up - Greenough

Late August | Half Marathon (trail)

Run with your dog at The Resort at Paws Up.

Yellowstone Hustle - Billings

Late August | 10K, 5K, 1 Mile

A race dedicated to movement, community, and making a difference.

Amplify! Operation Juliet 5K - Bozeman

Late August | 5K

Bozeman 5K supporting Operation Juliet, a program that serves female veterans.

Big Sky Gravel - Red Lodge

Late August | 22, 50, and 100-mile routes (bike)

Gravel race and tour through the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains.

FALL RACES (September - November)

SEPTEMBER

Virtual Half Marathon - Missoula

September 1-30 | Half Marathon (virtual)

Run Wild Missoula virtual half marathon, with 100% of proceeds going to the Indigenous Ascent Coalition.

Healthy Tribes: Run on the Rims - Billings

Early September | 10K, 5K, 2 Mile

Community run/walk promoting health and wellness among American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Billings.

The 23rd Annual Fun Run for Charities - Red Lodge

Early September | 10K, 5K, 2 Mile

23rd annual Red Lodge race benefiting 67 local charities, free to enter, with over $4.9 million raised since it started.

Montana Brewery Running Series: Philipsburg Brewing - Philipsburg

Early September | 5K

Fun run starting and ending at Philipsburg Brewing.

The Rut Mountain Runs - Big Sky

Mid-September | 50K, 28K, 21K, 11K, VK

A 3-day mountain running celebration in Big Sky climbing Lone Peak.

Night Owl Run - Livingston

Mid-September | 4 miles

Gateway to Yellowstone evening race, with a free post-race BBQ at Miles Park Band Shell.

Pack the Place in Pink: Lewistown Chokecherry Run - Lewistown

Mid-September | 10K, 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run

Breast cancer awareness run/walk through Lewistown, starting and ending at Frank Day Park.

Big Bear Stampede - Gardiner

Mid-September | 9K, 5K, Kids Run (trail)

Trail race outside Gardiner raising funds and awareness for mental health support in Park County.

Run For Her 5K/10K - Billings

Mid-September | 10K, 5K (also virtual)

Billings race along the Yellowstone River benefiting the HER Campaign, which supports survivors of human trafficking.

Montana Brewery Running Series: Bitter Root Brewing - Hamilton

Mid-September | 5K

Fun run starting and ending at Bitter Root Brewing.

Bozeman Half Marathon & 10K - Bozeman

Mid-September | Half Marathon, 10K

Fall colors hit the Bridger Mountains for this Gallatin Valley race, benefiting the Bozeman Distance Project and local youth cross country.

Rock the Run! 5K at Pompey's Pillar - Pompeys Pillar

Mid-September | 5K, 1 Mile

Small-town run at the historic Pompeys Pillar National Monument along the Yellowstone River.

Meet Me in Midtown 406 Run - Missoula

Mid-September | 4.06K

First annual fun run through the Playfair Park trail system behind the YMCA, with a tailgate-themed finish line (fried chicken and beer).

Montana Marathon - Billings

Late September | Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K

Boston qualifier course with 1,000-foot net drop from Molt to downtown Billings.

Mount Helena Run - Helena

Late September | 9K / 5.6 miles (trail)

50th anniversary of this Helena classic, climbing 1,300 feet up Mount Helena and back down to Last Chance Gulch.

ZooTown Challenge Obstacle Course Race - Missoula

Late September | 10K, 5K, 3K (obstacle course)

Obstacle race through Washington-Grizzly Stadium and the UM campus, with kids and all-abilities races too, benefiting Opportunity Resources Inc.

Montana Brewery Running Series: Tamarack Brewing - Lakeside

Late September | 5K

Fun run starting and ending at Tamarack Brewing.

Fierce Fab Women's Running Festival - Missoula

Late September | 1-mile laps (2-hour window)

Women-only run/walk festival at Historical Fort Missoula, with glitter, a mimosa bar, and awards for best outfit, benefiting the SilverLining Foundation.