Course

The course is 33 miles in length (yes, that’s closer to 53K) & has 8,000 feet of elevation gain.

 
Course Description:
  • From the start, spread out on the dash down South Avenue, then hit the dirt and begin climbing the Fire Road at Maurice Avenue. Continue up the steep pitches of Pengelly Ridge, then cross over to the main summit of Mount Sentinel and make a fast descent on the northwest ridge and M Trail to the parking lot and the first aid station.
  • Connect with the Kim Williams Trail, then begin the biggest climb of the race, up the Smokejumper Trail and up University Ridge to the beacon and the second aid station. Wind down the old dirt road on the back of University Mountain to the Pattee Canyon picnic area and the aid station at roughly the halfway point of the race.
  • Cross the top of Pattee Canyon Road, and continue down one of the south side trails, then begin climbing again on the Sam Braxton National Recreation Trail, Deer Creek ridge and a short section of dirt road to reach the next aid station at the Skyline Ridge Trailhead. Continue climbing over the House of Sky Trail and Mitten Mountain, and just below the summit of Mount Dean Stone to the final aid station, which will be hiked in.
  • Descend the many switchbacks of the High, Wide and Handsome, Woodsy and Barmeyer trails, and a short stretch of Pattee Canyon Road, then climb from the gas line/gravel pit trailhead back to the Fire Road and return to the finish via Maurice and South avenues.
Course Markings:

The course will be marked with pink pin flags and temporary/removable signage. We encourage all participants to know and understand the course, and to have it accessible on a device you will be carrying with you (GPS watch, cellphone app like Gaia or onX, etc.).

Aid Stations:
1. ​Mile 5.85 – M Trailhead (toilet)
2. Mile 10.5 – University Mountain beacon
3. Mile 15.35 – Pattee Canyon Picnic Area (toilet, medic), cutoff is 1 pm.
4. Mile 21.35 – Skyline Ridge Trailhead (toilet, medic), cutoff is 3 pm.
5. Mile 28.3 – Top of Woodsy
6. Mile 30.6 – Barmeyer Trailhead (toilet only, no aid)

 

Course Profile ImageCutoffs:

The course will be open from 7 am to 6 pm, however if runners are not to the Pattee Canyon Picnic Area aid station (mile 15.35) by 1 pm or to the Skyline Ridge Trailhead (mile 21.35) by 3 pm they will be required to drop and driven out by aid station volunteers or course marshals. Safety of our participants and volunteers is a top priority and we appreciate your cooperation with this policy. Sweepers will maintain the cutoff pace or remain with the last participant.

 
 

 
Toilets:

Toilets will be available at the start/finish area and at aid stations 1, 3, 4 and 6.

Drop Bags:

Your drop bag will need to be in place at the designated area prior to and near the race start. It will be transported to aid station 3, approximately halfway through the course. Bags will be returned to the finish line after 3:30 pm.

Splits:
We will have splits at the following locations:
 
Start/Finish
1. ​Mile 5.85 – M Trailhead
2. Mile 10.5 – University Mountain beacon
3. Mile 15.35 – Pattee Canyon Picnic Area
4. Mile 21.35 – Skyline Ridge Trailhead
5. Mile 28.3 – Top of Woodsy
Spectators:

Friends, family and others are encouraged to spectate via foot, or even bike where allowed, throughout the course. Please consider your impact on our area and roads when choosing your location. They may drive and park briefly at open trailheads near the University of Montana and in Pattee Canyon. Spectators are asked not to drive up to the Skyline Ridge Trailhead as runners will be on the same access road.

Tracking:

Live participant tracking & results are available via the Competitive Timing website and app (available on the App Store and Google Play.

Download Course Maps: