I ran the half marathon and missed a lot of the great scenery. A lot of the race is running through neighborhoods or just areas where people live near the … MORE
I ran the half marathon and missed a lot of the great scenery. A lot of the race is running through neighborhoods or just areas where people live near the road. Many people were out to support and many houses had sprinklers, hoses, etc for the runners to use to cool off. Very nice medals for all the races (I ran the 5K the day before). Nice tech shirts. I still use both to run in. All in all, a good experience.
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Nice race in Montana
I ran the half marathon and missed a lot of the great scenery. A lot of the race is running through neighborhoods or just areas where people live near the … MORE
I ran the half marathon and missed a lot of the great scenery. A lot of the race is running through neighborhoods or just areas where people live near the road. Many people were out to support and many houses had sprinklers, hoses, etc for the runners to use to cool off. Very nice medals for all the races (I ran the 5K the day before). Nice tech shirts. I still use both to run in. All in all, a good experience.
Beautiful Views
For me this was a very difficult course, between the heat and the hills...however, the views along this course were breathe taking! Travel is a bit difficult, and rooms are … MORE
For me this was a very difficult course, between the heat and the hills…however, the views along this course were breathe taking! Travel is a bit difficult, and rooms are expensive…I found a cheap room, but will never advise anyone to go here (America’s Best Value Inn); not air conditioning, no coffee, the floors were nasty, I have absolutely nothing good to say about this place. The expo was kinda cute (outside), with a farmers market right next to it. Medals were pretty cool!!! It was a lot of fun tubing, as there is not much else to do, got tube at Ace Hardware $16, and took free city bus to drop point, floated back…very relaxing, fun and inexpensive. Volunteers were awesome!
AMAZING.
This race is incredible. I have ran it for 4 years now. The course is beautiful and FLAT! The volunteers are great and supportive, lots of encouragement along the way. … MORE
This race is incredible. I have ran it for 4 years now. The course is beautiful and FLAT! The volunteers are great and supportive, lots of encouragement along the way. The race expo and post race refreshments are amazing. Always runs smooth, and the swag is incredible! Great medals and T-shirt’s. This is a must run!
The scenery for the race is unbeatable!
The race is relatively flat and pretty smooth throughout the course. There were plenty of aid stations along the run so I never felt like I would get dehydrated. One … MORE
The race is relatively flat and pretty smooth throughout the course. There were plenty of aid stations along the run so I never felt like I would get dehydrated. One thing I wish was different would be that I could see runners for the full marathon take off (my friend ran the marathon and I wanted to cheer him on at the beginning but that wasn’t possible due to different start locations). Otherwise the race was very enjoyable.
great scenery
Not much crowd support the first part of the marathon, pretty easy packet and finish area, well organized, good to have a celebrity, like having the outdoor packet pickup, nice … MORE
Not much crowd support the first part of the marathon, pretty easy packet and finish area, well organized, good to have a celebrity, like having the outdoor packet pickup, nice venue, easy to find
A must-do race on your bucket list!
The logistics of this race run like a well-oiled machine. Running along and being motivated by a pianist on a grand piano, a bag piper, and cheering crowds keeps spirits … MORE
The logistics of this race run like a well-oiled machine. Running along and being motivated by a pianist on a grand piano, a bag piper, and cheering crowds keeps spirits high. I’ve never been to a race with such good end-of-race food—and FREE pictures!! A great destination marathon with Glacier National Park nearby.
Best Ever Half Marathon
This was my second time running the Missoula Half Marathon. I will continue to sign up to run in this race for years to come. All the volunteers are helpful … MORE
This was my second time running the Missoula Half Marathon. I will continue to sign up to run in this race for years to come. All the volunteers are helpful and courteous. Well organized and by far the best race I have ran. My daughter ran in the kids race and also had a lot of fun. She got a metal, swag bag and a cool red cape to run with.
A marathoner's marathon
Full disclosure: I'm a former Missoulian from many years ago and love coming back to this great little city to visit. I have done this marathon six times now, mostly … MORE
Full disclosure: I’m a former Missoulian from many years ago and love coming back to this great little city to visit. I have done this marathon six times now, mostly on an every-other-year basis, but I had so much fun this time I immediately decided to come right back. I’ve done marathons all over the country, and for me this one is uniquely special: it has the compelling synergy of marathon organization, runners’ club, running store, supportive community, and awesome scenery all working together. Plan ahead and make this your must-do runcation.
Great race
Just happened upon this while doing a road trip from San Diego. The course, volunteers, the fireworks and the support form the community was amazing. Oh and let’s not forget … MORE
Just happened upon this while doing a road trip from San Diego. The course, volunteers, the fireworks and the support form the community was amazing. Oh and let’s not forget the totally awesome MEDAL. My only disappointments where the expo and the Announcers. Other then that I am so glad this was the race for my first Montana medal.
Awesome race!
I loved this race! This was my first time running this race and I traveled from out of state. This was a well organized race. The packet pickup on Friday … MORE
I loved this race! This was my first time running this race and I traveled from out of state. This was a well organized race. The packet pickup on Friday night was a breeze, the shuttle bus ride went smoothly. The pre-race atmosphere was fun, with fireworks every 15 minutes and right at the start of the race. It was a beautiful course and we got to see the sunrise as the race started. The community clearly supports runners and it was awesome hearing them cheer us on. There were numerous sprinklers, hoses, etc. to cool us off during the race and plenty of aid stations/port-o-potties during the race (approx. every 2 miles, then every mile during the last half of the race. The volunteers and police officers were awesome and supportive. I loved the race shirts and huge finisher medal. The after race massage ($20 prepaid with registration) was great, as was the race food (real food), free printed after race photo and free on-course race photos. This was my favorite half marathon by far!
Well supported
I’m a slower runner, so when I can say this race is well supported you can count on it. I was thankful for the water, ice and Powerade. Since it … MORE
I’m a slower runner, so when I can say this race is well supported you can count on it. I was thankful for the water, ice and Powerade. Since it was a hot day, the ice came in handy to cool off.
This race is a MUST!
The Missoula half marathon easily became one of my favorite races. The scenery - even through the city - was quaint and beautiful. The course was flat and mostly shaded, … MORE
The Missoula half marathon easily became one of my favorite races. The scenery – even through the city – was quaint and beautiful. The course was flat and mostly shaded, which is easy to love, and the volunteers were cheerful and kind. Plenty of aid stations with water, Gatorade, wet sponges (this was a lovely first during a race!), and gels. The start was super easy to access and the sendoff of the start gun included some pretty awesome fireworks. Other cool things include the outdoor expo, the Montana shaped race bib and super cool medal, and easy access to just about everything! Well done Missoula – I’ll definitely be back!
A bit disappointed
Was really looking forward to this, but was underwhelmed. Tons of cars on the highway for the first ten miles or so, which forced everyone to run on the really … MORE
Was really looking forward to this, but was underwhelmed. Tons of cars on the highway for the first ten miles or so, which forced everyone to run on the really canted right side. You get a nice view for a few miles, but that’s it. Additionally, I did this with my sister who finished about an hour before the cut off time. They had no water left at the finish for her and had packed up the beer and food! Seems unfair to pay the full race fee and not get to enjoy anything at the end. Will probably not participate in this one again.
Best Half Marathon for me!
This was an awesome run for me! I did limited training for it and still managed a personal best. I think this is in part because the course was primarily … MORE
This was an awesome run for me! I did limited training for it and still managed a personal best. I think this is in part because the course was primarily flat and downhill. The Pacers on the course were amazing!!!!! They were spot on in terms of time and so friendly/supposrtive on the course.
I had so much fun participating in the three run challenge and would deffinantely do this again!
Great race
This is one of the best organized races I’ve run. The volunteers all know what they’re doing, the bus transportation was efficient and fast, the finish line area well organized. … MORE
This is one of the best organized races I’ve run. The volunteers all know what they’re doing, the bus transportation was efficient and fast, the finish line area well organized. The course itself was pretty with tons of people along the course cheering on the runners and bringing great energy to the race. It felt like the city was just as into the whole thing as the runners were. Course support was plentiful and frequent so I never worried about getting water when I didn’t really want it. Just as super race experience all the way around.
Absolutely motivating and best race!
This race was the most organized race I've ever run, down to the details of the bib being in the shape of Montana, Deena Kastor handing out medals at the … MORE
This race was the most organized race I’ve ever run, down to the details of the bib being in the shape of Montana, Deena Kastor handing out medals at the finish, PLENTY of volunteers, easy directions on getting to the race start, fluids and plenty of bathrooms at the start and finish (you didn’t have to wait in long lines – huge importance at the beginning of any race), clear communications and updates from the race director, Tony Banovich, and even fireworks at the beginning! The townspeople completely supported the run – one guy even brought his piano out to his front lawn to play it, and there were bagpipes, bluegrass and other musicians coming out. People had sprinklers in front of their homes and were cheering on the runners. Plus, this is such a beautiful area – Ponderosa pines covering the nearby mountains and beautiful hiking trails. I was injured going in so a bit bummed prior – the scenery and well organized run – the energy – brought me out of the funk though – how could it not?! I highly recommend this!!! I’m going back!!! Thanks for an absolutely wonderful experience!
Awesome Race!
This race is rad... A ton of people running, and spectating made for a great vibe and a fun atmosphere. Pancake flat made for an easy run on the body. … MORE
This race is rad… A ton of people running, and spectating made for a great vibe and a fun atmosphere. Pancake flat made for an easy run on the body.
The only criticism I have is that the finish seems so spacious…. I think the race organizers should move the barriers further into the road so that the roar of the spectator is more in your face as you come down the finishing shoot. Easier to get high fives that way too!
Overall super fun experience!!!! You should run this race 😀
Awesomness
Awesome race, people playing instruments along the route,( A grand piano, Violins, guitars, more.) Unbeatable scenery, cowboys and mountains, rivers galore. The whole community comes out , extra aid stations … MORE
Awesome race, people playing instruments along the route,( A grand piano, Violins, guitars, more.) Unbeatable scenery, cowboys and mountains, rivers galore. The whole community comes out , extra aid stations run by kids and everyone has their sprinklers out for cooling down runners. I’m going to do this every year as long as I live here.
Missoula has the biggest sky!
My son and I made the trip from New Jersey to Montana to sight see and participate in the running weekend. This was a nice course in a beautiful part … MORE
My son and I made the trip from New Jersey to Montana to sight see and participate in the running weekend. This was a nice course in a beautiful part of the country that starts in a rural part of town and makes its way to the center of town.
Missoula rolls out it’s carpet for the thousands of visitors. The weather was perfect. Race organization was on point. Aid stations adequately placed. All the locals were so welcoming of the runners. There were fireworks and a canon to signify the start (at 6am – good thing we stayed on east coast time), farms, cattle and horses, a guy in a tuxedo playing a baby grand piano on his front yard, sprinklers and hoses to keep the runners cool, an adult beverage table at one house (that was the home of our waiter from Thursday night so I had advance notice – so cool that he remembered me).
All Over BEST!!!!
So well run! Beautiful scenery...fireworks to start. Entire community turns out in support. 700 of the Best, Upbeat Volunteers!!! Couldn't get any better!! MORE
So well run! Beautiful scenery…fireworks to start. Entire community turns out in support. 700 of the Best, Upbeat Volunteers!!! Couldn’t get any better!!