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 …
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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.
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Well organized trail race!
Vacation Races puts on a fantastic and well-organized race! I ran this one the week after their Grand Teton Half and in comparison, the views aren't equal but the course … MORE
Vacation Races puts on a fantastic and well-organized race! I ran this one the week after their Grand Teton Half and in comparison, the views aren’t equal but the course was nice. Its a little tough in places where its definitely just a trail service road or rocky creek trail. If you aren’t great on balancing, be mindful of your step. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the switch up from road running and getting out into the woods. While there are no mountain views, its still definitely worth the run.
Another great one:)
have had such a wonderful experience. The race was very well organized. Overall just an amazing race, spectacular views, great route. Highly recommended this race or any Vaction Races race. … MORE
have had such a wonderful experience. The race was very well organized. Overall just an amazing race, spectacular views, great route. Highly recommended this race or any Vaction Races race. I can not wait for my next one;)
Watch out for Bears
The worst part of the race was the altitude. Was a stretch that was kind of technical. A lot of toe grapping rocks. The fast runners saw a bear. Nice … MORE
The worst part of the race was the altitude. Was a stretch that was kind of technical. A lot of toe grapping rocks. The fast runners saw a bear. Nice to be on the slow side, because the bears were all scared away. Love the way Vacation Races put on there races, from the energy they produce to the great aid stations.
Mostly trail
The course had one major climb. There was one area that was very technical and uneven. Other than that, the majority of the course was rolling on hard packed trail. … MORE
The course had one major climb. There was one area that was very technical and uneven. Other than that, the majority of the course was rolling on hard packed trail.
Vacation races does a great job with production and race swag. There was considerable tree cover and not as much landscape to admire during the run as some other vacation races.
Very well executed race. Loved the tra
Vacation Races goes an exceptional job in preparing and executing their races. You will enjoy the race - easy check in, well staffed, and clearly marked. MORE
Vacation Races goes an exceptional job in preparing and executing their races. You will enjoy the race – easy check in, well staffed, and clearly marked.
Hills, forest, streams, and fresh air...
This is a very scenic course with its fair share of challenging hills and rocky technical sections. As the final race in the Grand Quad Challenge, it is the most … MORE
This is a very scenic course with its fair share of challenging hills and rocky technical sections. As the final race in the Grand Quad Challenge, it is the most difficult of the 4 races, BUT that said, being a week after the first 2 races and having a chance to acclimate, physically this race felt better despite being a greater challenge than Tetons. As always, Vacation Races did not disappoint and I look forward to many more with them.
Challenging with a scenic touch
I knew this was a trail run but 3 days before the race they sent a terrain email informing of us of people falling, when the hills were and rocky … MORE
I knew this was a trail run but 3 days before the race they sent a terrain email informing of us of people falling, when the hills were and rocky parts. They claimed we didn’t need trail shoes and we would be just fine. I risked it and didn’t bring trail shoes… boy my ankles would of enjoyed those trail shoes over my regular running shoes. Im a newbie to half’s but not to running but I still pulled that rookie move. Bring trail shoes.
If you are truly wanting to PR and run this thing it will be difficult to look up and take in your surroundings and the scenery. I swear if I enjoyed the views I would have broken ankles. Nice backdrop during the start and finish. They did staggered starts and didn’t make announcements for the walkers to keep right which made this trial race pretty challenging due to the terrain and dogging other runners. All terrains- gravel, seriously rocky, very rocky, hills, rocky downhill, mud, sand. I seriously saw too many people fall.
For the altitude I only really felt it on the hill from mile 5-6.something. I live below sea level so I traveled to Denver prior to this race to get used to the altitude and did fine during the race. Overall enjoyable with beautiful weather time of year and a perfect time to visit the park but it will be a one time thing.
Fun race but a bit difficult
I do this race as a challenge to myself by doing the Grand Teton Half and then The Yellowstone half on back to back weekends. Yellowstone is a more difficult … MORE
I do this race as a challenge to myself by doing the Grand Teton Half and then The Yellowstone half on back to back weekends. Yellowstone is a more difficult race for me because I don’t train on trails but it was fun. I really liked starting first as a walker. I only wish we could have the national anthem before we start. I missed that part of the start.
Beautiful scenery, challenging course
The entire race was well organized with good communication. The course had a few more hills than I had trained for and being a trail run, it was a bit … MORE
The entire race was well organized with good communication. The course had a few more hills than I had trained for and being a trail run, it was a bit muddy and rocky but regular running shoes worked fine. I highly recommend this Half & 5K through Vacation Races. The swag is excellent plus its by a National Park which makes the scenery just beautiful, with plenty to do before/after the race.
Great event with a lot of swag.
Vacation Races puts on amazing races. This was my 4th race weekend with the company and like all my races before, I loved it. I did not have to go … MORE
Vacation Races puts on amazing races. This was my 4th race weekend with the company and like all my races before, I loved it. I did not have to go to bib pick up since I was competing in the grand quad, I had picked up everything at grand teton. However, the emails before the race made communication perfect so I knew what to expect. The 5k was nice going through west yellowstone and a little bit of the national forest next to yellowstone. It was mostly gravel. The weather was perfect. The medal for the 5k was perfect. The company has the nicest medals out there. For the half marathon, the race started at 6am. Because of covid, they had a staggered start so if you drove, you could turn the radio to their radio station and follow along when to show up to the start line. This made it nice because it was so cold outside. However, I just walked to the start line from my hotel since it was close by. The race course was a nice trail course through the national forest next to yellowstone. The course is trail, which includes an ankle graveyard with rocks sticking up, so just know this is not a PR course. Like all Vacation Race races, it is a cupless race. So you must carry your own hydration system. They do give you a hydropouch with registration. So carry my own water bottle then use the hydropouch for the Gnarly energy drink on the course. The aid stations were stocked with everything you needed to be successful. Finally the swag. The swag, is top notch. The yellowstone half medal is stunning. I did the grand quad, so I received a total of 8 medals including the medals from the week prior at grand teton. All medals are sweet. I have my own medal holder just for vacation races because their medals are so nice. Race registration includes pictures from the course. Also, I love how the race announcer makes the finish line personal to each individual runner by calling out the names of all finishers and calling it “welcome to your finish line”. I will definitely run more with this company.
Love it
Organized! Beautiful scenery! First time running here and will def be back!! Rocky course in some spots, but well worth it. Definitely tough terrain and elevation was tough foe me … MORE
Organized!
Beautiful scenery!
First time running here and will def be back!! Rocky course in some spots, but well worth it. Definitely tough terrain and elevation was tough foe me but loved every second of it!!!
Great volunteers and the announcer was awesome!
Bling!
Swag is out of this world. I completed the grand quad and received 8 medals. I also placed in all 4 races and will receive 4 more medals. Let’s face … MORE
Swag is out of this world. I completed the grand quad and received 8 medals. I also placed in all 4 races and will receive 4 more medals.
Let’s face it Vacation Races medals are top notch. Staff and volunteers are super awesome. All vacation races are a must do!
Super fun and challenging!
This was my third half marathon and my first trail race. I loved the challenge and had so much fun running. I didn't train much, but I was able to … MORE
This was my third half marathon and my first trail race. I loved the challenge and had so much fun running. I didn’t train much, but I was able to complete the run in under 2.5 hours. The giant hill kicked my ass, so now I know how to train for that better. The scenery was gorgeous! It was so fun running through the forest and getting to run by a river for a bit.
The whole process of getting my stuff the day before went super smooth and was really easy to do. Vacation races knows what they are doing and knows how to show everyone a challenging and good time!
Loved it!
Course isn’t difficult, but it is rocky in parts. So have to watch footing. It had everything, flats, hills, views, etc. You get to run along the river. The temperature … MORE
Course isn’t difficult, but it is rocky in parts. So have to watch footing. It had everything, flats, hills, views, etc. You get to run along the river. The temperature was a little chilly, but once you started running it was perfect.
Great Trail Race
This was my very first trail race and I really enjoyed it. I did the double with this race and the Grand Teton Half the weekend before. I was dreading … MORE
This was my very first trail race and I really enjoyed it. I did the double with this race and the Grand Teton Half the weekend before. I was dreading this course with the elevation gain and it being trail. I will say, it was technical with a lot of rocks in one section, but overall not bad! The race production and swag was top notch. Will definitely race with Vacation Races again soon!
Loved it!
This was my second time doing the Yellowstone Half; I ran the inaugural race 7 years ago as my first half marathon. I was happy to come back and run … MORE
This was my second time doing the Yellowstone Half; I ran the inaugural race 7 years ago as my first half marathon. I was happy to come back and run it again this year. Vacation Races puts on a smooth, well-run event. The course was challenging but beautiful and I really enjoyed the run. I also really liked the shirt design this year, and the sizing seems to finally make sense! (Some of my previous shirts fit really tight.)
Great Organization/Difficult Course
Vacation Races did a great job running the event! This was a trail race but much of the course was on unimproved roads with deep ruts and large rocks. The … MORE
Vacation Races did a great job running the event! This was a trail race but much of the course was on unimproved roads with deep ruts and large rocks. The elevation was a challenge but there were parts of the course that were unsafe. Wouldn’t do it again. Saw several runners fall and get injured.
Amazing Experience
This was my first 1/2 marathon and it didn’t disappoint! The scenery was beautiful, people all friendly and very well organized, I can’t wait to do it again! MORE
This was my first 1/2 marathon and it didn’t disappoint! The scenery was beautiful, people all friendly and very well organized, I can’t wait to do it again!
Fantastic trail race, challenging!
This was a technical course, but the production and location made is so fun. Vacation Races puts out such great extras, from organization to swag to support. I can’t rave … MORE
This was a technical course, but the production and location made is so fun. Vacation Races puts out such great extras, from organization to swag to support. I can’t rave enough about how fantastic this was.
Not so hot
I completed the Grand Teton on June 5 and this one on June 12. It was my first time doing these races and misunderstood the registration process. RaceJoy did not … MORE
I completed the Grand Teton on June 5 and this one on June 12. It was my first time doing these races and misunderstood the registration process. RaceJoy did not work for me in this race. Maybe because the “system” was unable to identify that I was doing both. I liked the Grand Teton route.