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2024 RACE

Join us for the 6th annual and ONLY trail marathon in Northwest Montana on September 8th, 2024,

Featuring the new as of 2023, all-single track course with over 5000 feet of vertical!

Only the first 100 registrants will be allowed to participate!

Check out this cool interactive map from onX… but wait for a second for it to load

 

The Details

 

What are you getting yourself into?

This is a 26 mile running race on mostly single track trails with more than 5,000 feet of climbing. The first 2,800 feet of climbing occur in just over 5 miles to the top of Blacktail Mountain.  The last 21 miles still include >2000 feet of climbing as you gradually descend the long ridge leading to the finish at Herron Park.

Bears, mountain lions, and other wildlife are found along the trail corridor. You will be required to carry bear spray and to know how to use it. Running with headphones is also heavily discouraged because of the increased risk of not hearing a wild animal ahead or behind you.

Weather: September can have a wide variety of weather conditions in the Flathead Valley, so please pay attention to the forecast and think about layers, rain gear, and how to prepare yourself for any possible conditions. We have had pouring rain, heavy snow, and hot, sunny weather, with one race having ALL of those conditions during a 6 hour period!

Cell phone coverage is mostly present along the course but it is not guaranteed. Aid volunteers will carry cell phones and radios.

There are 5 aid stations along the course: 

  • ~5 miles at the summit lodge of Blacktail Mountain (bathroom access),

  • ~13 miles at Emmon’s Saddle (outhouse access),

  • ~17.5 miles near Stoltze Corner,

  • ~21 miles just north of Chase Overlook, and

  • ~24 miles near the Foy's Overlook

    Aid stations will have water, food, and calories provided by Hammer Nutrition. There will also be volunteers at many key intersections along the course BUT ALWAYS LOOK FOR PINK FLAGS ON WIRE. Do NOT step over pink flagging blocking side trails!

There will be a cutoff time of 1:00 p.m. to reach Emmons Saddle (approximately 25 minutes/mile pace), where the only road crosses the course (Patrick Creek Road).  This cutoff will be strictly enforced. We will have transportation available back to Herron for those that do not make this cut off time or who wish to end their race at this point. No one to this point has missed the cut off time.

Race day Details

All proceeds from entry fees benefit Foy’s to Blacktail Trails Organization, which uses it to support ongoing trail maintenance, outreach, maps and signage.

Schedule | Sunday, September 8, 2024

6:30 a.m. All racers will meet at Herron Park in Kalispell. Park at the stables area just past the main trailhead in order to accommodate day-use patrons; look for volunteers wearing reflective vests to direct you. Please carpool together if possible because parking will be limited. Bib numbers will be handed out at this time. In the event that there is a wait list, any unclaimed bibs will be handed out.

Finish bags/Drop bags - Items participants wish to have at the finish can leave them at Herron Park. They will be stored at the pavilion for immediate access upon finish. Items brought onto the shuttle that you wish to return to the start (warm jackets, last minute not-needed items) can be placed in your personal bag on the shuttle for the return trip. A volunteer will bring all drop bags to the pavilion at Herron Park. Please label your bag.

There will be a pre-race meeting, starting promptly at 6:30 before participants board the shuttle to the Lakeside to Blacktail trailhead, approximately 25 miles away. The shuttle has room for all racers and will leave immediately at after the pre-race meeting. There is no parking at the Lakeside to Blacktail Trailhead.

8:00 a.m. Race begins

1:00 p.m. A support vehicle will be at Emmons Saddle (Patrick Creek Road) for racers that do not make the cutoff time of 1 p.m. or wish to end their run at that junction. Patrick Creek Road is the only road that crosses the route. There is no vehicle access (except emergency vehicles) for the last 14 miles.

Racers that make the cutoff time just before 1 pm and continue to the finish should expect a finish time of 9-10 hours (5-6 p.m.). Sponsors and volunteer support will be available until this time.

If you have to leave the course at anytime to heed the call of nature, please leave an article of clothes or your running pack near the trail. If you go missing, this may be our only way of finding you quickly and will let the race course sweepers know that someone is still out on the course.

After The Race: We will likely have post-race get together at Bias Brewing in Kalispell from 6-8 p.m. We can grab a bite to eat, share stories from the day, give away swag, and will recognize the top 3 men’s and women’s finishers.

 

2023 RACE SPONSORS

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for 2024, please contact info@foystoblacktailtrails.org or brian@runflathead.com.

Thank You Partners! Your volunteer and financial contributions make this trail system thrive.

Thank You Sponsors! Some of you have supported us for a decade!

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FTBT would like to recognize the following sponsors for their financial & in-kind contributions in 2023: 

Gold Level

Logan Health

Hammer Nutrition

Montana Dental Works

Northwest Imaging

Wheaton’s Bicycles

Silver Level

Advanced Rehabilitation Services

Glacier Bank

Measure Law, P.C.

Nomad GCS

YWAM - Endurance Adventures

Bronze Level

A7 Cycles

Glacier Center for Dentistry

Sportsman & Ski Haus

Stockman Bank

Additional Support has also come from:

Natural Grocers

OnX Backcountry

REI Co-Op

Rocky Mountain Outfitter

Rocky Mountain Creative

New in-kind supporters for 2024: Born Tough & Elite Sports


Race Results: All past race results can be found at Competitive Timing

 

Past Races

2022 Race Photos

 

2018 Inaugural Race Photos

 
 
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