A 4-time winner of the Road Runners Club of America Marathon State Championship designation, the Whitefish Marathon has become one of the largest marathons in Montana. Over 1,600 runners registered are expected in 2026. All event distances have sold out two years in a row. All race distances (marathon, half …
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A 4-time winner of the Road Runners Club of America Marathon State Championship designation, the Whitefish Marathon has become one of the largest marathons in Montana. Over 1,600 runners registered are expected in 2026. All event distances have sold out two years in a row. All race distances (marathon, half marathon and 5K) start together at 8:00 AM in Depot Park and finish at the same finish line. The 5K course splits from the marathon and half just after mile one. The marathon and half run the first 13 miles together and split at mile 13 providing a large post-race party in Depot Park.
The city of Whitefish was chosen as one of the top-50 small towns to visit by TripAdvisor. Located just outside Glacier National Park, all three distances get a view of the beautiful mountains in the distance. The courses have been strategically developed to start and finish through the same finish line in Depot Park. Over 30+ states have been represented each year since 2021. It has become a ‘runcation’ for most with beautiful views at every turn. Stay the weekend and enjoy special rates from our hotel partners and visit Big Mountain Resort and Glacier National Park.
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Nice small town race
Came down to do the 1/2 marathon as part of a short getaway to the Whitefish area. The race had maybe 800 participants total ~350 - 5k, ~350 1/2M & … MORE
Came down to do the 1/2 marathon as part of a short getaway to the Whitefish area. The race had maybe 800 participants total ~350 – 5k, ~350 1/2M & 125 marathon. The 1/2M course started and finished in a park in Whitefish and ran out on country roads. Although not flat, I thought the course might be hillier being a mountain town. After a short steep hill at 2km it was more rolling. There were no problems navigating the course. Parking wasn’t a problem. Afterward there was a complimentary beer courtesy Jeremiah Johnson Brewing (a nice touch on a warm day). The temperature for the half was warm, but not uncomfortable. As for smoke mentioned by a previous reviewer. It was smokey in the days leading up to the race, but it was pretty clear the day of. Forest fire smoke in mid-May is uncommon, but with global warming who knows going forward. Bottom line, enjoyed the race!
Rough Course
I ran this race in 2023. Unfortunately, the fires in Canada added a layer of smoke. Making things worse, the weather was HOT, it was absolutely not 76 as shown … MORE
I ran this race in 2023. Unfortunately, the fires in Canada added a layer of smoke. Making things worse, the weather was HOT, it was absolutely not 76 as shown above. It was 84 degrees when I finished. There was no shade on the second half of the marathon and that’s where the hills are. I powered through, taking almost 6 hours but I almost DNF’d. BUT, Whitefish is beautiful and we had a wonderful time walking around the city before and after the race. It almost made it worth it. ; )
Very Hilly second half
The second half was non stop hills. Also the views are not good, you are basically running in trees on both sides in the second half and you get no … MORE
The second half was non stop hills. Also the views are not good, you are basically running in trees on both sides in the second half and you get no view and fell very closed in and isolated. Apparently due to the difficulty of the second half of the course in 2022 they have changed the route in 2023. There was also only one aid station on the second half, although it is an out and back so you hit it twice, however more aid stations are needed especially in the second half of a marathon. On the bright side the organizers were great about deferring my entry from the canceled race in 2020 and in 2021 the boarder was shut (I am Canadian), and they still deleted to 2022, which I am grateful for!
I thought it would be prettier.
The race wasn’t bad. I registered late, and picked up my bib on the morning of. That went well, and a race volunteer showed me where to park that was … MORE
The race wasn’t bad. I registered late, and picked up my bib on the morning of. That went well, and a race volunteer showed me where to park that was very close to the start. The race started on time. Everyone was together, the 5k, half, and full marathoners began together. The course was nice enough, but knowing that Whitefish has lake views, I wish I had seen the lake at least once on the course. The 5k split off, but the half and full marathoners stayed together. The end of the race, starting at about mile 10, had some hills. Like one hill for each of the last three miles. I was running on a hurt leg, so I was pretty irritated by these hills and walked them. As we were coming to the finish line, I noticed that that was where the full marathoners had to turn to run the last half of their race. Right after they could see the finish line, I was thankful I was only running the half because that would have bothered me. The medal and the T-shirt were very nice. The town of Whitefish is charming, with lots of good post race eateries. I could not find the medical tent however, I would have liked some ice for my leg. But snacks and recovery drinks were available at the finish. Not my favorite race, but I didn’t dislike it.