Vacation races ran out of the shirt size I signed up for, so didn’t get a shirt. Views were incredible the entire race. First 5 miles completely uphill, next 5 … MORE
Vacation races ran out of the shirt size I signed up for, so didn’t get a shirt. Views were incredible the entire race. First 5 miles completely uphill, next 5 completely downhill and last 3 rolling. Hardest race I’ve ever done.
UPDATE: Vacation Races responded to my email about shirts and took care of me. These guys are the most incredible team in the industry. Worth every penny.
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Beautiful views, insanely difficult
Vacation races ran out of the shirt size I signed up for, so didn’t get a shirt. Views were incredible the entire race. First 5 miles completely uphill, next 5 … MORE
Vacation races ran out of the shirt size I signed up for, so didn’t get a shirt. Views were incredible the entire race. First 5 miles completely uphill, next 5 completely downhill and last 3 rolling. Hardest race I’ve ever done.
UPDATE: Vacation Races responded to my email about shirts and took care of me. These guys are the most incredible team in the industry. Worth every penny.
Kicked my butt, but stole my heart
The first five miles are a slow ascent up a mountain. It is tough, especially if you aren’t used to running in elevation like this Michigan gal. But then you … MORE
The first five miles are a slow ascent up a mountain. It is tough, especially if you aren’t used to running in elevation like this Michigan gal. But then you get to FLY down the mountain, which was so much fun! The last few miles also had a tiring, long hill. I wasn’t prepared for that. I will be next time and will be sure I hold back a bit on the downhill. While this was definitely one of the toughest races I’ve run, it was worth it. The views were incredible, everyone was so friendly and VR put on another top-notch production. And I LOVED how they tied in Blackfeet culture. We were running on their land and it meant a lot to me that VR respected their culture enough to educate us. We saw performances of their traditional dances, many tribal members ran with us and volunteered at the aid stations. And I’ve NEVER been so pumped at a start as I was here. Having the Blackfeet chant their Victory Chant as we headed out into the race was incredible!!! This race was simply amazing.
Glacier is a race not to miss
Vacation Races warned us that miles 1 - 5 would be tough, but they forgot to mention mile 10. It was another hill! The scenery more then made up for … MORE
Vacation Races warned us that miles 1 – 5 would be tough, but they forgot to mention mile 10. It was another hill! The scenery more then made up for those hills though!! The runners and the volunteers were incredible! This was my 1st vacation race, and I am looking into doing the Yellowstone and Grand Tetons next year. Would definitely recommend doing a race with this group.
Oh my quads
Such a fun course in a such a scenic place! The first 5 miles are pretty much an uphill slog but from about 5-10 you pretty much cruise downhill and … MORE
Such a fun course in a such a scenic place! The first 5 miles are pretty much an uphill slog but from about 5-10 you pretty much cruise downhill and the last 5k there’s a bit of rolling hills. The last roughly 10th of a mile is uphill to the finish line.
I personally didn’t have a problem but between miles 1&2 there was a cattle guard and it literally did trip some of the runners. The other cattle guards were covered but potentially something to look out for.
Aid stations were well stocked and spaced well.
The swag and the overall set up of vacation races are so smooth even with this being what I assume a logistical nightmare between parking, the starting line and the finish line being all in different places.
Would I do this race again? Maybe, those uphill 5 miles were ROUGH. Would I do another vacation race, absolutely. Already scheming which one I should do next year!
The View is Worth the Climb!
The first five miles are challenging as you climb, climb, climb Looking Glass Hill. The view from the top of mile 5 is spectacular. From there you can fly downhill … MORE
The first five miles are challenging as you climb, climb, climb Looking Glass Hill. The view from the top of mile 5 is spectacular. From there you can fly downhill till about mile 10.5 and it’s another climb with rolling hills to the finish. Great race production, nice swag. Stay awhile and explore Glacier NP. You won’t regret it!
A great, gorgeous race!
Prepared for a long, steep incline for the first five miles, but what breath-taking news and a nice five mile downhill! Totally worth it! Very well organized! Loved it! MORE
Prepared for a long, steep incline for the first five miles, but what breath-taking news and a nice five mile downhill! Totally worth it! Very well organized! Loved it!
Worth it!
This race and Glacier NP are gorgeous. The race guide does a good job of outlining the initial 5 miles of uphill and additional hill near the end, so I … MORE
This race and Glacier NP are gorgeous. The race guide does a good job of outlining the initial 5 miles of uphill and additional hill near the end, so I felt prepared for these. As others have mentioned, the banked grades of the road were sometimes challenging, but if you are able to train on uneven ground ahead of time, I think it helps. As always, vacation races does an exceptional job with communication. I agree with others who have said that since shuttling before the race needs to occur no matter what, it would be nice if the cars were located near the end of the race or near the race campground location, but I understand that logistics and space can be a problem in the boonies! I am always impressed with the lovely people that I get to run along with for these races and they make the experience that much better! Overall, fabulous race, wonderful people, to-die-for scenery = great experience well worth the travel and uphill!
Bucket List Race
DO NOT DRIVE this course before (because you may back out once you see what you are going to run up!). But, I promise it is worth it. I would … MORE
DO NOT DRIVE this course before (because you may back out once you see what you are going to run up!). But, I promise it is worth it. I would do it again next weekend if I could.
The first five miles are quite the climb. The steepest is mile 5, at the end of the climb. It is brutal, but the views get better as you climb higher. It was so beautiful that I was tearing up in gratitude that I get to do this.
Miles 6-9, you get a glorious payday for all the hard work you have done. The roaring downhills overlooking Glacier National Park are incredible.
Mile 10 has some nice down but also has a little climbing too. Mile 11 is a tough climb. I was warned about mile 11, so I held back on the downhill so I didn’t burn up my legs. The last 3/4 mile is trail, and some of it is through high grass, which derails plans for a fast finish.
Glacier Half needs to be on your bucket list! I highly recommend it as a training run and not for time so you can enjoy the views.
great first time half marathon experienc
This was my first half marathon and I am so glad about that fact! East glacier national park is BEAUTIFUL so the scenery made for an amazing mental escape during … MORE
This was my first half marathon and I am so glad about that fact! East glacier national park is BEAUTIFUL so the scenery made for an amazing mental escape during the race. VR made it so easy to feel prepared by keeping me updated leading up to the race and making the day seamless. Also, as a first time doing this distance race, VR had a special bib for first time halfers, called us out before the race, and had a bell at the end. This really made me feel like just the accomplishment of the race distance was noticed. I cannot wait to do another VR race!
Stunning views, tough climb
The view is so stunning at times you *almost* will forget your running up a steep incline likely with a headwind on the edge of a cliff. Then back half … MORE
The view is so stunning at times you *almost* will forget your running up a steep incline likely with a headwind on the edge of a cliff. Then back half is basically all downhill and it really was a cool way to see GNP.
It’s worth noting (at least in ‘23 this is how it was) that you have to drive a bit (maybe 20 minutes) from the VR campground to the shuttle bus then take a shuttle to the start line (another 10 minutes or so) which is truly just on the side of the road. Then of course there is a shuttle back to your car.
Everything ran very smoothly but it certainly would have been nice to park at the finish and take a shuttle to the start. We weren’t really anticipating all those moving parts before the 6 am start!
Toughest of 43
I knew I wanted Glacier as my Montana race since I learned it existed and finally got my opportunity this year. I will say this is my 43rd state and … MORE
I knew I wanted Glacier as my Montana race since I learned it existed and finally got my opportunity this year.
I will say this is my 43rd state and by far the most challenging race I have done. I do not pick races for the course, I pick for the experience.
A couple of things to highlight on this-I found the production to be average, great communication, expo etc.
The shuttle to the start seemed a bit excessive. You had to be at the shuttle by 4:30am, parking was disorganized and took forever then get bussed miles and miles away to be dropped off on the side of the road.
This course is tough, not only is the first 5 miles uphill plus more later on, it’s high elevation but the roads are slanted. Not even slightly slanted-a pretty hefty angle which tears on your ankles and hips.
Just when you think you are done, there is a pretty substantial rolling hill at mile 13.
The finish line fest was just ok as well. I did like they had the vendors and a full expo again if you wanted to buy merchandise.
Medals are the standard vacation race medals and you receive a snack box at the end.
I think vacation races is more about getting you to the location than the actual race. Glacier is amazing-super super happy I waited and did this race as my Montana choice.
Beautiful
I am not a road runner. I love trails. This was my 5th running of Glacier. Why, when it is a road race? It is absolutely gorgeous! Nothing makes a … MORE
I am not a road runner. I love trails. This was my 5th running of Glacier. Why, when it is a road race? It is absolutely gorgeous! Nothing makes a road race better than amazing scenery. This race has that. I cannot say enough good things about Vacation Races. Great people and well organized. This is one of my favorite Expos too. It was wonderful to enjoy the Blackfeet nation sharing their culture.
Beautiful
This was a very difficult but very scenic beautiful run. The first 6 miles uphill with the most challenging but the finish was very rewarding. It was a great time … MORE
This was a very difficult but very scenic beautiful run. The first 6 miles uphill with the most challenging but the finish was very rewarding. It was a great time with friends and family!
A scenic race well executed!!
This was my first vacation race and definitely won't be my last! Where to start... Love that reusable cups were provided to be more sustainable, the race shirt that is … MORE
This was my first vacation race and definitely won’t be my last! Where to start… Love that reusable cups were provided to be more sustainable, the race shirt that is actually cute and wearable unlike some others, unique medal, and obviously the great scenery throughout the whole race.
The course was rough for the first 5 miles but you’re blazing through miles 5-10 on the downhill and this race definitely reminded me what made me fell in love with running in the first place.
A very unique experience that I would highly recommend!
Recommendation: If gear check could also be made more sustainable instead of one time use garbage bags, that would be an extra plus
Gorgeously Hilly
This was a stunning race course, featuring two large hills. The race started with a five mile hill, then there was another hill around mile 11. I personally love hills, … MORE
This was a stunning race course, featuring two large hills. The race started with a five mile hill, then there was another hill around mile 11. I personally love hills, I think that flat courses are boring. This course was anything but boring with breathtaking views the entire way. It is a one way course, so you see no part of the national park twice. The shuttle system to get racers to the start line and back to the parking lot was wildly efficient, the organization of the race made it incredibly seamless and easy. Also everyone was very uplifting on the course, most enthusiastic water station volunteers I have experienced. The finish line announcer did a phenomenal job. Over all this is probably the most fun race I have done.
Tough but beautiful.
I'm not a hill runner, so the first 5 miles and mile 10-11 really hit me hard. Was able to regain some time on the downhill, but did walk the … MORE
I’m not a hill runner, so the first 5 miles and mile 10-11 really hit me hard. Was able to regain some time on the downhill, but did walk the first 5 miles. However, the views were fantastic so certainly worth the climb. MT is a wonderful state and we had a great time overall. Vacation Races has always delivered.
Hard but rewarding at the end.
First three miles very doable. Mile 3-5 was hard but if trained for is achievable. The last mile and a half was tiring with a bit of a climb. Very … MORE
First three miles very doable. Mile 3-5 was hard but if trained for is achievable. The last mile and a half was tiring with a bit of a climb. Very beautiful views and supportive fans and volunteers from vacation races crew to the Blackfeet Nation!
One for the Books!
Absolutely beautiful and amazing course! The first 5 miles were an incline, but that meant for pretty smooth sailing to the finish. Zero cell service, so the live tracking option … MORE
Absolutely beautiful and amazing course! The first 5 miles were an incline, but that meant for pretty smooth sailing to the finish. Zero cell service, so the live tracking option available wouldn’t even work for me. But definitely an amazing race! I love Vacation Races at all the National Parks! Highly Recommend!
Beautiful Scenery
This was a tough course with the first 5 miles running uphill. Fortunately they weren't that steep. The scenery along the way was beautiful and well worth the climb. The … MORE
This was a tough course with the first 5 miles running uphill. Fortunately they weren’t that steep. The scenery along the way was beautiful and well worth the climb.
The volunteers on the course were amazing!
This was my 4th Vacation race and I will be back for more. They always do an outstanding job and their swag is great!
Crown of the Continent
This is the first race I have done more than once, primarily because of the location but most of all because of the scenery and the astonishing medal. The weather … MORE
This is the first race I have done more than once, primarily because of the location but most of all because of the scenery and the astonishing medal.
The weather was a little cool at the start but most welcoming for a good run. The course is very challenging with a five mule climb out of the gate but the worst part in my opinion is the slant to the road.
My goal for this race was to beat my time the first time I ran it, to my advantage I knew what to expect. Unfortunately, I did not accomplish my goal primarily because of the lack of training. If I look on the bright side it gives me another reason to do this race again.