Queen Bee Montana Marathon & Half Marathon
Billings, MT
- Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Montana Marathon is famous for being a fast and beautiful Boston qualifier course! While the first ten miles feature scenic rolling green hills, the final 16 miles treat you to a loss of 1,000 vertical feet. Fly with the hive down on Buffalo Trail, then make your way through the … MORE
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Fun, Fast & Pretty
Beautiful and mostly downhill race from the outskirts of Billings into downtown. This race is well organized and small enough that you feel you’re running with a slightly larger running … MORE
Beautiful and mostly downhill race from the outskirts of Billings into downtown. This race is well organized and small enough that you feel you’re running with a slightly larger running club. The hills, up and down, were fun but challenging. The course support is great and everyone is so friendly. Loved the medal, the tech shirt and the ease of the free shuttles to the start line. Also loved the free pancakes and bacon at the end. The only thing I didn’t like was the final 6/7 miles of the course that were basically open to cross traffic and required some vigilance for wayward cars.
Definitely worth the trip
The race expo is on the small side with some nice people and local businesses that are worth checking out. Top notch race merch I purchased a hoodie. Race day … MORE
The race expo is on the small side with some nice people and local businesses that are worth checking out. Top notch race merch I purchased a hoodie. Race day was a great day weather was perfect and I was all set for a PR. The views along the rout were breathtaking and so was the elevation, for this runner. Between the pit stops to take photos and other “breaks” I wasn’t able to hit my goal time but I am happy with my results.
So many aid stations!
The folks that organize this race really cater to racers! There's nothing that they forget or leave out! Shuttling is smooth, aid stations galore, and the best swag I've ever … MORE
The folks that organize this race really cater to racers! There’s nothing that they forget or leave out! Shuttling is smooth, aid stations galore, and the best swag I’ve ever gotten at a race! I highly recommend this race, you won’t be dissapointed!
Awesome course
The course was well marked and everything was well organized. Great views of the rims with the finish line at Pioneer Park. Elevation loss of 1000 feet makes for a … MORE
The course was well marked and everything was well organized. Great views of the rims with the finish line at Pioneer Park. Elevation loss of 1000 feet makes for a fast enjoyable course!
Awesome experience!
If you want to run a beautiful, well organized, and fun run, look no further! 406 Race Series has thought of everything! Great swag, positive and encouraging volunteers, and just … MORE
If you want to run a beautiful, well organized, and fun run, look no further! 406 Race Series has thought of everything! Great swag, positive and encouraging volunteers, and just an all around wonderful atmosphere!
Great race! Very organized!
This was my first marathon and it was a lot of fun! The race director was very organized! There were multiple water stops and some had fuel as well. And … MORE
This was my first marathon and it was a lot of fun! The race director was very organized! There were multiple water stops and some had fuel as well. And it’s in MT which is a beautiful state!
Country mouse city mouse
Lots of potties! First half in the country beautiful scenery. Second half in town with loads of community support. Finish line treatment is awesome! MORE
Lots of potties!
First half in the country beautiful scenery.
Second half in town with loads of community support.
Finish line treatment is awesome!
Beautiful Course, Fun Race!
I love any race put on by 406 Race Series, but this one is my favorite run each year! Great course, beautiful views, fun environment, sweet swag! MORE
I love any race put on by 406 Race Series, but this one is my favorite run each year! Great course, beautiful views, fun environment, sweet swag!
Fun and Fast
Fun and fast course - lots of other runners. I have ran the course twice and have volunteered, everyone is in a good mood and having tons of fun. It's … MORE
Fun and fast course – lots of other runners. I have ran the course twice and have volunteered, everyone is in a good mood and having tons of fun. It’s a very fast course with tons of support the whole time.
Fun and fast!
The Queen Bee race is so well organized! The course is fast and enjoyable. A big bonus is the fun after party and adorable medals! I would totally recommend and … MORE
The Queen Bee race is so well organized! The course is fast and enjoyable. A big bonus is the fun after party and adorable medals! I would totally recommend and can’t wait for next race.
Great course, excellent set up and swag
The 406 Race series never disappoints! The team does so well with the set up, information sharing and answers any questions very quickly. The swag is some of my favorite! … MORE
The 406 Race series never disappoints! The team does so well with the set up, information sharing and answers any questions very quickly. The swag is some of my favorite! Excited to level up and run the half this year!
A great spring race to set a new PR
This is a top-notch spring to set the tone for your entire racing season. Very well-organized, fun, and a net downhill course. Options for kids to marathoners. Great Brooks t-shirt … MORE
This is a top-notch spring to set the tone for your entire racing season. Very well-organized, fun, and a net downhill course. Options for kids to marathoners. Great Brooks t-shirt and other finisher swag. Great race sponsors. Overall an exceptional race and one I have done many times.
MY FAVORITE
This race holds a special place in my heart! It was the first race I competed in and every year I continue to return. There is nothing like it. They … MORE
This race holds a special place in my heart! It was the first race I competed in and every year I continue to return. There is nothing like it. They have incredible volunteers, swag, finisher medals, and the course is always beautiful.
Beautiful and flat
This race is an annual race! The swag is amazing, the 406 race series does an amazing job putting together the race. The half is a downhill for the first … MORE
This race is an annual race! The swag is amazing, the 406 race series does an amazing job putting together the race. The half is a downhill for the first few miles. Fairly flat afterwards. Ends at a park, fun for family to wait!
Well Organized and Super Fun!
The Queen Bee Montana Marathon was a fun and flawless event! The course is fast, downhill and extremely well marked. They offer distances for every runner and the race is … MORE
The Queen Bee Montana Marathon was a fun and flawless event! The course is fast, downhill and extremely well marked. They offer distances for every runner and the race is well supported by the Billings community. Plenty of aid stations along the route. Great swag and a festive finisher expo at the end. Would highly recommend!
Skip Missoula Run QB Montana Marathon
Excellent job of course marking. You will not get lost. The 4,000 feet of elevation is no joke but it's manageable. I was the last runner for 19M. Probably a … MORE
Excellent job of course marking. You will not get lost. The 4,000 feet of elevation is no joke but it’s manageable. I was the last runner for 19M. Probably a mile back at 8M. The sweep wagon would pull .5 M ahead and wait. He kept me insight. I normally do not carry a water bottle but I am glad I did for this race. 10mph headwinds and high altitude required more hydration. Skip Missoula and head to Queen Bee Marathon Montana. Small race. Gigantic spirit.
great fast race
Loved this race, am doing it again this year. Great shirt, nice people. Course is very fast...slight downhill. Dragging friends and family out this year to cheer us all on. … MORE
Loved this race, am doing it again this year. Great shirt, nice people. Course is very fast…slight downhill. Dragging friends and family out this year to cheer us all on.
It was a fun and well-run race!
Plenty of aid stations, smooth and easy-to-follow course, nice changes of scenery, and a nice morning for a run. I had a great time. The morning was overcast but turned … MORE
Plenty of aid stations, smooth and easy-to-follow course, nice changes of scenery, and a nice morning for a run. I had a great time. The morning was overcast but turned out to be a great temperature. All the volunteers were awesome too!
Great COVID race
I signed up for this race only a few weeks before it took place because the other race I was training for was canceled, along with every other one seemingly. … MORE
I signed up for this race only a few weeks before it took place because the other race I was training for was canceled, along with every other one seemingly. They did a great race with the COVID protocols. Small groups on each bus and those groups used one area of an open field to wait in before the start. The wave starts worked well and moved everyone along quickly.
The course was nice. Gentle (really gentle mostly) uphill for the first 11ish miles. I really didn’t feel like I was going uphill from the start. Then the rest of the race was pretty much all downhill, with some pretty steep downhills where my pace really picked up. I ended up with a big PR even though I was not fully trained up. The downhill and tail wind we had this year were perfect for that.
This is a small race so don’t expect cheering crowds to motivate you. The aid stations were simple with water and HEED and gels every couple of miles.
Finish line was simple too with some light snacks and water/chocolate milk. I’m not sure if that is the normal fare, or pandemic related but it was enough for a small marathon.
All in all it was a really nice experience to check Montana off my list. Billings is a nice town with some good restaurants in the downtown area where I stayed.
Fast enjoyable course.
Good course. Most of the big downhill is early in the race, but the later stages still enjoy a general slight downhill which is great. If there is any wind … MORE
Good course. Most of the big downhill is early in the race, but the later stages still enjoy a general slight downhill which is great. If there is any wind it is generally a tail wind or slight cross wind. However, 2022 had a headwind out of the east. But tail wind is more likely.