The Yellowstone Half & 5K is a stunning trail race with views of the Gallatin National Forest. You’ll cross rivers and climb into the forest, where you may spot local wildlife that call this area home! The Yellowstone Half Marathon will start and end at the Old Airport on the …
MORE
The Yellowstone Half & 5K is a stunning trail race with views of the Gallatin National Forest. You’ll cross rivers and climb into the forest, where you may spot local wildlife that call this area home!
The Yellowstone Half Marathon will start and end at the Old Airport on the west edge of West Yellowstone. There is a ton of parking there and it is easy walking distance from many hotels on the south side of town. The race takes place on a dirt road and trail in Gallatin National Forest immediately southwest of West Yellowstone, MT. The course starts flat but has a major and a minor hill that you need to train for. The best part of the course is that you will be less than a mile from the west park entrance. That is 32 miles from Old Faithful and 24 miles from the Grand Prismatic Spring.
The whole race is on a dirt road (depending on weather, there may be puddles). The path is a true trail with uneven ground and loose stones…please wear proper footwear and train accordingly!
This event is produced by Vacation Races and is part of the National Park Half Marathon Series. Along with the Half Marathon, there is a 5K on Friday night after the expo.
If you find yourself up for a bigger challenge, consider signing up for one of our double or quad events.
LESS
Glad I did it
Due to weather the course was changed and it followed the ski course. There was a paved out and back section along the River that was nice. It was overall … MORE
Due to weather the course was changed and it followed the ski course. There was a paved out and back section along the River that was nice. It was overall hilly but ok. The mosquitos were horrendous! Have never experienced anything like it. Overall it was a well run race, great swag, metal and post run nutrition.
Beautiful but challenging course
Vacation Races put this on and they had to change the course this year but we knew well in advance this was going to happen. The course had pavement, dirt … MORE
Vacation Races put this on and they had to change the course this year but we knew well in advance this was going to happen. The course had pavement, dirt hilly roads, and crushed gravel that I found sliding under my feet that made it challenging to keep pace. Don’t do this for a PR: do it for the BEAUTY! Much of the course was along a river and on the out and back portion, the runners you passed were so lovely and happy and cheerful! They had plenty of potties at the start and about 2 miles in they had a jacket drop so you could get your jacket back! I liked the gnarley a lot which I’d never had before. Loved at the end of the race they don’t rush you away from the finish line and they let you take pics, etc. Nice snack box at the end of the race. Lovely shirt. Fun signs at packet pick up for photo ops.
Well organized trail run
Well organized. Course had to be altered for snow this year but I wouldn't have noticed had they not said so- great trip through the woods. Some mild hills and … MORE
Well organized. Course had to be altered for snow this year but I wouldn’t have noticed had they not said so- great trip through the woods. Some mild hills and some grassy/muddy spots. Wear your trail shoes, if you have them but don’t stress if you don’t.
Love the New Course
As always Vacation Races puts on the best race production of any race company in the country. I have done this race before, the original course 2017, the small groups … MORE
As always Vacation Races puts on the best race production of any race company in the country. I have done this race before, the original course 2017, the small groups course of 2020 and now this new course due to snow on the original course. I have to say this one was my favorite and I hope they keep it. You still get all the fun and challenging hills in grass and dirt, like the original course during the first few miles. Then you get rewarded with beautiful pathed path that takes you along a river with bridges and trees. It was so pretty and I saw people even got to see a bear on the course this year. I love the. new course and think Vaca Races should just keep this one. Be ready for the high elevation and not go too hard too fast. Race swag is amazing, love the shirts and medals.
Beautiful course!
I know the course was altered this year to accommodate the amount of snow that the region has received. The first 5 miles of the run were through the back … MORE
I know the course was altered this year to accommodate the amount of snow that the region has received. The first 5 miles of the run were through the back country outside of West Yellowstone. It was a beautiful run through the forest along cross country ski trails. For a trail run, the paths were very very well maintained! From mile 6-12, the course was altered to be on a paved path. It was still really beautiful with bridges, trees, water…all the nature. The out and back portion of the run was a nice distraction to watch all the front runners coming back along the course. Overall, the run was a lot of fun! I would do it again.
Great race in a beautiful place
Was a new course alone about half the way on a new bike trail. Some minor hills. The first part was through the town of West Yellowstone, so my wife … MORE
Was a new course alone about half the way on a new bike trail. Some minor hills. The first part was through the town of West Yellowstone, so my wife got to cheer from the hotel. the course has some very nice views. Good cupless water stops. Very well run.
New Course
The Yellowstone half marathon course was new for 2023 due to the extreme amount of snowfall that the area received this year. The course this year had less trail and … MORE
The Yellowstone half marathon course was new for 2023 due to the extreme amount of snowfall that the area received this year. The course this year had less trail and less elevation changes than the original course. The first mile of the course runs through town on very wide streets, so it was really easy for runners to spread out and easily get around each other. The portion of the course that was a trail run was on a cross country ski path for about 3-4 miles. The path was grassy but was very well maintained and did not have a lot of rocks or variation in the ground level. Then we turned onto a paved pedestrian trail, which was an out and back portion of the run for about 6 miles. From there we turned onto a dirt road for the last mile or 2 to finish the race.
Even with the course changes, I still struggled with this run because of the elevation. It was also my first partial trail run and I probably pushed myself a little too hard running on surfaces I’m not used to. Regardless, the course was very pretty. I really appreciated that the start and finish were in the same location so there was no need to ride a shuttle. Also, West Yellowstone is a small town and very walkable, so parking was not an issue at all.
Perfect Combo Course
I loved this course! It was a perfect mix of mild/moderate trails/gravel road (not single track!) And a gorgeous, new, paved path. I was worried about the out and back … MORE
I loved this course! It was a perfect mix of mild/moderate trails/gravel road (not single track!) And a gorgeous, new, paved path. I was worried about the out and back portion being “boring”, but the views made that worry dissolve quickly. This course challenged me in just the right ways!
Beautiful scenery, well organized
there were course updates this year to accommodate snow damage areas, but i loved the course, esp the roughly 4+ miles of trails through the National Gallatin Forest. Great support, … MORE
there were course updates this year to accommodate snow damage areas, but i loved the course, esp the roughly 4+ miles of trails through the National Gallatin Forest. Great support, including all pertinent information before the race, clothes drop off, water/aid stations, port-a-potties. super easy parking too. Elevation was tough for me, but I would still highly recommend this course esp if you can combine it with the Grand Teton Half. I got the Double Grizzly medal for doing both. I wish I could have done the Quad but that would have meant more time at the races and less time exploring the national parks. super organized and fun race!
Great scenery and fun on trail & road
This race had it all- serene trails, smooth paths, lots of energy and a well run operation. It was so easy to get to from hotels in west Yellowstone too- … MORE
This race had it all- serene trails, smooth paths, lots of energy and a well run operation. It was so easy to get to from hotels in west Yellowstone too- I just had to cross the street to get to the start line! I ran the grizzly double- Teton half and Yellowstone half one week apart. Both wonderful but I actually preferred this race.
Destination Elopement
This race is very organized. They did an awesome job announcing and providing information. We used this event (Bison Double) as our pre-wedding race. I do not remember the announcers … MORE
This race is very organized. They did an awesome job announcing and providing information. We used this event (Bison Double) as our pre-wedding race. I do not remember the announcers name but thankful for her acknowledging our Bride and Groom hats. We ran the 5k together. Fun times!
Yellowstone Was Gold
Vacation Races Yellowstone Half Marathon was run smoothly and efficiently, from pre-race until the last runner finished. The Expo was held the day before the race and there was plenty … MORE
Vacation Races Yellowstone Half Marathon was run smoothly and efficiently, from pre-race until the last runner finished. The Expo was held the day before the race and there was plenty of merchandise to buy . Everyone was smiling from beginning to end. The course was mainly trail and grass, and there were some hills ,and with altitude of over 6800 feet, it was a challenge. There was some asphalt and if I could make the race better I would eliminate it, but all and all the course beauty was incredible. There was even a black bear spotted behind a tree, checking the runners out as we passed. Everything from the swag to post race snacks was great. The mosquitoes were getting their meals, too but nothing anyone could do about that. In the future if I run here again, I’ll remember the Off or citronella. This was my third Vacation Race and my best yet.
Always a good time!
These races are ALWAYS a great time! This was my husband and I’s 3rd time doing a Vacation Race; we did the Yellowstone bison double. Even with the change of … MORE
These races are ALWAYS a great time!
This was my husband and I’s 3rd time doing a Vacation Race; we did the Yellowstone bison double. Even with the change of course it was awesome. Beautiful forest views and the bridges over the steam were gorgeous. We even saw a bear!!
We’ll consider doing the quad next year! It wasn’t as hard as we thought it would be to do a 5k then a half the next morning!
Great race!
Loved the portion on the old logging roads. There was a little more asphalt than I expected. Views were pretty. Support was good! I wish they would’ve had picnic tables … MORE
Loved the portion on the old logging roads. There was a little more asphalt than I expected. Views were pretty. Support was good! I wish they would’ve had picnic tables or somewhere to sit at the end. Bring mosquito repellent!
Great time, though could be more scenic
Aid stations were appropriately placed. Starts on some trails but ultimately more pavement on the alternate course than I anticipated! Easier than I thought it would be. Race expo was … MORE
Aid stations were appropriately placed. Starts on some trails but ultimately more pavement on the alternate course than I anticipated! Easier than I thought it would be. Race expo was flooded with mosquitoes- make sure to bring your bug spray!!
So happy I ran this beautiful race.
So well organized!! Vacation Races and their staff have the runner's best interest at heart. I was always very well informed of the race and any changes. The medals are … MORE
So well organized!! Vacation Races and their staff have the runner’s best interest at heart. I was always very well informed of the race and any changes. The medals are amazing and I will definitely run another of their races next year.
Gorgeous course/excellent swag/friendly!
Course was challenging for me since I’m from flat Florida: some grass, some hills, some pavement, but the difficulty for me was on the cinder roads: hard to get traction … MORE
Course was challenging for me since I’m from flat Florida: some grass, some hills, some pavement, but the difficulty for me was on the cinder roads: hard to get traction and wore out my hamstrings. Super friendly staff and all other runners so kind. Excellent medals and shirts, fun expo photo ops, beautiful area to run.
A nice 5K in high elevation & mosquitoes
As any other VR, this is a great race with awesome views. The only downside is the crazy amount of mosquitoes that were eating us alive, especially once we were … MORE
As any other VR, this is a great race with awesome views. The only downside is the crazy amount of mosquitoes that were eating us alive, especially once we were done running. Apply ton of bug spray before you run and maybe consider long sleeves/pants as they were brutal. Everything else was awesome as always, the swag and treat box included!
Beautiful race with a varied terrain.
I love all VR events, this one is no exception. We were lucky to avoid any rain or wind during our race, so even though we started in 37F, it … MORE
I love all VR events, this one is no exception. We were lucky to avoid any rain or wind during our race, so even though we started in 37F, it wasn’t very cold. The weather was really ideal. We had under 300feet elevation gain due to rerouting of the original course (due to snow), so the only thing that made it tough was the elevation we were in. Swag was awesome, as well as the volunteers and staff.
Grand Quad - Medals and More Medals
Not sure how we are going to get all these Medals Home - But we racked up by doing the Grand Quad and My Better Half picked up even more … MORE
Not sure how we are going to get all these Medals Home – But we racked up by doing the Grand Quad and My Better Half picked up even more placing in Age Division in 4 of 5 Races!! Did the 5K and Half in Grand Teton – Picked up Idaho Bear Lake – Yellowstone 5K and Half! = 45.5 Miles! Amazing Adventure – Can’t say enough about Vacation Races – This is a First Class Act with Great Staff, Awesome Races, Over the Top Medals, Shirts and More Swag! This was our First and Won’t be our Last Vacation Race!!!