Excellent organization and a beautiful course. Majority of the course is flat, with the exception of one pretty significant hill (big flat road - clever name). Early miles are the … MORE
Excellent organization and a beautiful course. Majority of the course is flat, with the exception of one pretty significant hill (big flat road – clever name). Early miles are the most scenic and then you make your way into town. Volunteers were great.
The town of Missoula is a gem. I took the free bus from the airport to downtown and walked everywhere from there. Excellent restaurants made for a really nice race weekend.
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Beautiful Course!
Excellent organization and a beautiful course. Majority of the course is flat, with the exception of one pretty significant hill (big flat road - clever name). Early miles are the … MORE
Excellent organization and a beautiful course. Majority of the course is flat, with the exception of one pretty significant hill (big flat road – clever name). Early miles are the most scenic and then you make your way into town. Volunteers were great.
The town of Missoula is a gem. I took the free bus from the airport to downtown and walked everywhere from there. Excellent restaurants made for a really nice race weekend.
Great Race, With One Caveat
This was a great race! I was originally supposed to run Duluth's Grandma's Marathon for a BQ attempt, but last minute unforeseen circumstances had me cancel that and not wanting … MORE
This was a great race! I was originally supposed to run Duluth’s Grandma’s Marathon for a BQ attempt, but last minute unforeseen circumstances had me cancel that and not wanting to waste my training, sign up for Missoula about 10 days out.
The race was outstanding from an organization perspective, everything was so well put together. The crowd support was strong and the course was interesting enough and not bland like many big city marathons are(looking at you, BMW Dallas)
While I did not succeed in qualifying for Boston, I am still glad I made the 25 hour drive from Fort Worth to run this race. No regrets!
The main caveat I have is that I disagree with the race marketing that the course is BQ friendly. It may not have a lot of overall elevation gain, but the course does have a net uphill gain throughout, and not a lot of downhill stretches at all. You’re pretty much running uphill the entire way outside of the descent from the main hill at around Mile 14. And the overall uphill grade after the big hill is steeper than the grade before the big hill. Also, while the altitude may not be a mile high like Denver, its still over 3,000 feet, which for people like me who reside and train in altitudes under 1,000 feet, still has an effect. I ran by a guy from Austin around Mile 7 who said he was really struggling with the altitude.
I am not sure I would have succeeded in my BQ attempt had I run Grandma’s instead like originally planned – I only had about 8 weeks to train after racing Ironman Texas. But, Grandma’s is what I would call an actual BQ friendly course – as it is net downhill and not at 3,000 feet altitude.
With all that being said, I won’t hold my under performance against this race – it was still a first class event! Nothing but smiles from me as I crossed the finish line. Highly recommended, just make sure you know what you are getting into if you decide to go for a BQ!
Beautiful course! Locals are the BEST!
The volunteers and local spectators are the best supporters ever! Definitely recommend this race to anyone looking! This was my second year running and I beat my time, personal best. … MORE
The volunteers and local spectators are the best supporters ever! Definitely recommend this race to anyone looking! This was my second year running and I beat my time, personal best. I am signing up again for 2024!
Fast flat 5K with a scenic river finish
Nice Five K event Great communication via email and social media. Small expo for packet pickup Pretty flat course through part of town, some residential areas, University of Montana then … MORE
Nice Five K event
Great communication via email and social media.
Small expo for packet pickup
Pretty flat course through part of town, some residential areas, University of Montana then the last mile is beside the Clark Fork river with the finish in a park.
Great volunteer support.
One aid station on course.
Finish line post race there is only water and a couple food trucks selling items.
Finisher medal is one of the nicer ones for a 5K that I have received.
The shirt ran a tad small but it is a nice shirt.
First Half Marathon
Missoula is beautiful, the neighborhoods and residents were great at cheering us on. I had a blast the whole race and will do it again. The course is quite flat, … MORE
Missoula is beautiful, the neighborhoods and residents were great at cheering us on. I had a blast the whole race and will do it again. The course is quite flat, the start winds along a river, the middle has great views of the mountains, the end you wind through university neighborhoods ending with the final kick over the Clark Fork river and Higgins bridge. It was very organized and well run.
Over before you realize it.
Great course with incredible scenery. The races run near and along the river with three bridge crossings. Great volunteers on and off the course. One of the best after-parties I … MORE
Great course with incredible scenery. The races run near and along the river with three bridge crossings. Great volunteers on and off the course. One of the best after-parties I have been to in a long time. I also enjoyed how the whole community comes out to support all of the events especially the half and full marathon.
The race was so well put together.
There's nothing for breakfast in the morning wait, so be sure to bring something. Plenty of support along the way, but have your energy supply of food/gel! Many were cold … MORE
There’s nothing for breakfast in the morning wait, so be sure to bring something. Plenty of support along the way, but have your energy supply of food/gel! Many were cold before and after the race, during was great, but be prepared for bad weather, you can put your jackets in your bag they provide and leave it behind and they WILL have it at the end of the race for you.
AWESOME
Great organization. Plenty of aid stations. The water is ICECOLD at the finish line. Most races it is kinda warm. Loved having Pacers .Awesome spectators. There is a little expo. … MORE
Great organization. Plenty of aid stations. The water is ICECOLD at the finish line. Most races it is kinda warm. Loved having Pacers .Awesome spectators. There is a little expo. Runners get a beer and lunch afterwards.
Beautiful tough course
The course is TOUGH, but great if you love running uphill for 26.5 miles. It is a bit long ;) BEAUTIFUL scenery that you can not beat. GREAT course support. … MORE
The course is TOUGH, but great if you love running uphill for 26.5 miles. It is a bit long 😉
BEAUTIFUL scenery that you can not beat. GREAT course support. Love the spectators, and everyone who runs it is SO nice.
Beautiful course
Really like the section along the river, my only thing I was not crazy about was the aid staions could be closer together. Great event overall, we did the friday … MORE
Really like the section along the river, my only thing I was not crazy about was the aid staions could be closer together. Great event overall, we did the friday night beer run, Saturday 5k, and Sunday Marathon, what a blast!
Beautiful flat race in the Valley
Scenery was fantastic, course was nice with a great start time for a summer race. Perfect weather helped the experience. Would be back but many other sights to see in … MORE
Scenery was fantastic, course was nice with a great start time for a summer race. Perfect weather helped the experience. Would be back but many other sights to see in Montanna next visit
Great course!!
Everything to do with this race is so well organized. It made everything easy from packet picked to crossing the finish line. Being my first half marathon I was very … MORE
Everything to do with this race is so well organized. It made everything easy from packet picked to crossing the finish line. Being my first half marathon I was very impressed with all the aid stations and how well the course is marked. I will definitely be running this race again next year!!
Well supported by the entire community
The entire town of Missoula supports this race and makes it a unique enjoyable experience. I am a 62 year old runner, and adding another marathon to my list was … MORE
The entire town of Missoula supports this race and makes it a unique enjoyable experience. I am a 62 year old runner, and adding another marathon to my list was the goal. This was a good point to point course…
Visual Perfection
This race is a point to point ending in the downtown/heart of the city. The half and full start at the same time, end at the same place, but start … MORE
This race is a point to point ending in the downtown/heart of the city. The half and full start at the same time, end at the same place, but start in different places. The last 10 miles of the half and fill take the same course. It was absolutely stunning seeing the sunrise at the drop off point for the half. Fireworks to mark the start with the beautiful sky. Tempted to come back to do the full at a later point in time. Well run/organized race and the medals are huge!
Scenic, fast route that I would do again
Ran the Glacier Half Marathon the day prior (my first back-to-back half marathons) and still felt fairly confident running this race. Net ascension less than 200 feet. Well managed race; … MORE
Ran the Glacier Half Marathon the day prior (my first back-to-back half marathons) and still felt fairly confident running this race. Net ascension less than 200 feet. Well managed race; lots of aid stations that had water, gatorade and Clif energy gels. The post-race food was fantastic- they had a large, tented seating area and were serving pasta salad (both with meat and vegan options) as well as watermelon, oreo cookies, banana, soda, water, beer, chips. Finisher medals were gorgeous. Liked the tech shirt too!
Love this race. Scenery is beautiful.
Running in beautiful Missoula morning. Sun peeking up over the hills, words can't quite capture the view! The town people out along the way to cheer you on. Great experience. MORE
Running in beautiful Missoula morning. Sun peeking up over the hills, words can’t quite capture the view! The town people out along the way to cheer you on. Great experience.
Half Marathon Worth Repeating
Logistically this was an easy race to navigate. Packet pickup up was quick, runner drop-off and bus loading was well organized, and post race meal/goodies were easy to find. Course … MORE
Logistically this was an easy race to navigate. Packet pickup up was quick, runner drop-off and bus loading was well organized, and post race meal/goodies were easy to find.
Course was nice and flowy. Not completely flat, a few downhills and slight uphills. It was only crowded in a few sections, otherwise you had plenty of room to navigate around others but never feel alone. It has all the potential to be a PR race. This was my daughter’s first half marathon and she said it was the perfect 1st half marathon.
Last Best Race
This was my 9th time completing the Missoula Half Marathon and the second time completing the Big 3 Challenge (3 mile beer run, 5K, and half marathon over three days). … MORE
This was my 9th time completing the Missoula Half Marathon and the second time completing the Big 3 Challenge (3 mile beer run, 5K, and half marathon over three days). This was my first ever half marathon and one that I will schedule summer plans around. It is an ideal course for beginners to advanced runners. Tons of crowd support, great swag, top-of-the-line organization, and great competition.
Excellent experience
This was my first marathon and I loved every minute. The events were well organized and everyone was so friendly. There were many volunteers on the course and I always … MORE
This was my first marathon and I loved every minute. The events were well organized and everyone was so friendly. There were many volunteers on the course and I always felt very supported. Looking forward to doing it again!
First timer
Back in 2020 I made a New Years resolution, and was well on my way to finishing my first Marathon in Missoula. We all know the rest. Not in near … MORE
Back in 2020 I made a New Years resolution, and was well on my way to finishing my first Marathon in Missoula. We all know the rest.
Not in near as good of shape, and a few stones heavier. I vowed I would finally get this done in 2023. And I’m so glad I did. Missoula lives up to the hype.
What a welcoming weekend, from arriving in town, packet pickup on Friday with the community beer run. To of course the main event on Sunday.
Easy shuttle system to the start from UM campus, with plenty of busses! No waiting around. Once arrived at the start line, plenty of portable restrooms, drop bag system, and even had coffee!
The course is great, starting out in the country, with open fields and great sunrise over the mountains.
*for a newbie, the hill section in the middle got me* the course was flat 95% of the race, but the hill is legit!*
The finish is through the local neighborhoods, shaded, with great community atmosphere and vibe. Before finishing over the bridge and through the finishing arch.
Can’t thank Missoula enough for a great first marathon.