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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Great appetizer to the Yellowstone Half
Yellowstone is a must do in the Vacation Races series. The 5K is a great little starter to get a feel for the first part of the half marathon race … MORE
Yellowstone is a must do in the Vacation Races series. The 5K is a great little starter to get a feel for the first part of the half marathon race course. It follows a short distance thru town and then a gravel road that’s actually a good road for being gravel. Vacation Races always does an excellent job with race organization, communication, and giving helpful detailed info. The swag and race merchandise variety is always great too. The Tetons/Yellowstone races are a definite must do.
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;)
My First 1/2
This was my first half. I loved it. Access to the starting line was very easy. My friend and I were able to walk to the start line from our … MORE
This was my first half. I loved it. Access to the starting line was very easy. My friend and I were able to walk to the start line from our hotel. It was a challenging course for me as I live a a low elevation area. I loved the race.
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.
First race that included a bear sighting
Ran this as part of the Grand Quad (5k and half at Grand Tetons followed a week later by the 5k and half in Yellowstone). Highly recommend. So much beauty … MORE
Ran this as part of the Grand Quad (5k and half at Grand Tetons followed a week later by the 5k and half in Yellowstone). Highly recommend. So much beauty to behold in that part of the world and loved the excuse to linger between races and enjoy the parks. VR puts on a great race. Very organized. Communicates well. Good bling. Good support. Responsible with the environment. Course clearly marked.
Between mile 7 and 8 we begin to hear runners yelling “bear”. Fortunately the grizzly was off the path! There are some challenging climbs in this race and lots of rocks. Most of the course was not very scenic but with all the rocks it wasn’t safe to look around much anyway. The start/finish has a gorgeous backdrop. You run just a bit in town before hitting the trail. We had cool temps to start which was nice. Altitude didn’t seem as bad as at Grand Teton race but you could still tell a difference once you started to climb.
Overall highly recommend.
Vacation Races are #1
Yellowstone was an all trail run course. I did the back to back weekends (Tetons/Yellowstone). After 8 days prior of running and then hiking daily in the mountains, my performance … MORE
Yellowstone was an all trail run course. I did the back to back weekends (Tetons/Yellowstone). After 8 days prior of running and then hiking daily in the mountains, my performance wasn’t great. I also struggled with the altitude. Not the race’s fault, I wish my body would do more! The course was challenging for me with lots of rocky, uneven trail. I still love Vacation Races and would do this race again. Vacation Races always does an excellent job with race organization, communication, and giving helpful detailed info. The swag and race merchandise variety is always great too. The Tetons/Yellowstone races are a definite must do.
Vacation Races are by the best!
Did the back to back weekend races (Tetons/Yellowstone) and had an awesome time. I've run many many races since I started 15 years ago - this is my third Vacation … MORE
Did the back to back weekend races (Tetons/Yellowstone) and had an awesome time. I’ve run many many races since I started 15 years ago – this is my third Vacation Race and they are by far the best organizers/ communicators/ party makers I have ever experienced in a race. Swag is generous and of the best quality. If you haven’t done a Vacation Race, do it! This one was tougher than I expected (I PR’d at the Tetons one), but the trail for Yellowstone is nothing to sneeze at. But it’s beautiful and fun!
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.
Yellowstone! What could be better??
Awesome production. The best swag. Great volunteers and crew. Not the hardest course I’ve ever done. Great scenery. Love the beach hoodies! Snack box leaves a bit to be desired... … MORE
Awesome production. The best swag. Great volunteers and crew. Not the hardest course I’ve ever done. Great scenery. Love the beach hoodies! Snack box leaves a bit to be desired… I’d rather have hot food. But the bananas are in great shape and you can tell the care level of a race director by the condition of the bananas. Bruised and overripe bananas are not what we need after a race and these were perfect!
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.
A Trail Race I Wasn't Ready For
I'm from the south where "trail" can be a relative term. So, when I signed up for this one and saw that it was a trail race and that it … MORE
I’m from the south where “trail” can be a relative term. So, when I signed up for this one and saw that it was a trail race and that it was categorized as “moderate” I thought maybe some packed dirt roads and some decent hills. I was wrong.
This race is a real life, pretty technical (especially if you don’t run trails regularly) trail race. Probably a mile of payment then turns into dirt/gravel road, lots of single track, and stretches with some serious rocks. I lost count of the number of people I saw slipping around in their road shoes. I can’t say much about the course because I didn’t see it. Instead I was head down trying not to turn an ankle.
The overall organization of the event was superb, and again, if you’re into trails you’ll probably love it. I’m not so I didn’t.
Will do this next year!
What a great event! I'll be returning next year as well. From bib pickup to the race start, everything went so smoothly. The course was well marked and challenging. MORE
What a great event! I’ll be returning next year as well. From bib pickup to the race start, everything went so smoothly. The course was well marked and challenging.
Challenging course but 100% happy!
This course was a great challenging trail. At times the rocks and path were tough but just slow down, be safe and you're fine. Plus you can watch the people … MORE
This course was a great challenging trail. At times the rocks and path were tough but just slow down, be safe and you’re fine. Plus you can watch the people that didn’t slow down brush the stones and pebbles from their knees. Not a course for a PR but if you’re doing these races, you won’t mind because you’ll want the scenery for as long as you can stay.
Great First VR Event
First off, this a pretty tough course, but do this one for the views and the experience, not the PR! The race is not in Yellowstone park, but rather in … MORE
First off, this a pretty tough course, but do this one for the views and the experience, not the PR! The race is not in Yellowstone park, but rather in the Gallatin National Forest. But it is still a very beautiful course and a great reason the visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I suggest trail shoes to save your toes from the rocky second half of the course. The volunteers were great for this race. The race medal was stunning! And I purchased a tank shirt that I just love! The only negative thing I have to add is that the staggered start times were off, my start was actually about half an hour before what was listed in the race guide. I would recommend this one for the experience!
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.
Amazing experience
Well organized, scenic course, and great swag. Race did a great job communicating information and course expectations. Morning of the race was very cold and there was hot chocolate and … MORE
Well organized, scenic course, and great swag. Race did a great job communicating information and course expectations. Morning of the race was very cold and there was hot chocolate and coffee available which was a nice touch. being able to explore Yellowstone and then run this race was an amazing experience.