Wulfman's Continental Divide Trail Run

Distance: 14k
Location: Butte, MT
http://buttespissandmoanrunners.com/Butte%20Races/CDT-14K/cdt_14k.htm
Fantastic trail run! This is a point-to-point race along the a newly constructed section of the Continental Divide Trail. In 2008, the first year for this race, it was run north-to-south. The plan is to switch directions every year, heading south in even years and north in odd numbered years. Since it is all single-track, it is too narrow for the standard mass start. So the race is run in a time trial format with one runner starting every 15 seconds, fastest runner starts first, then the 2nd fastest and so on down the line to the person with the slowest predicted finish time. The course (or at least the south bound course) is pretty rolling with two notable hills, one starts shortly before 2k, the other, larger climb starts at the halfway point. Both climbs are longer, but less steep than those on the Prickly Pear 12k course. When stunning views of snow-covered peaks appear in the distance, you know you're at the top and can start a steady, switchbacking downhill to the finish. There is enough variety to the trail that a chance to run it prior to race day would really help you out. Expect distance markers every kilometer and one aid station about half-way through, right before the 2nd big climb. The trail is in good shape without too much technical footing. The race ran very smoothly, and the only real problem was that it was a tough choice to do this race instead of the Beartooth Run, Old Gabe, Mountain to Meadow, or one of the several road races, all happening the same weekend. Can one or two of thes be moved into the barren month of July so us runners can run several of them? I would also like to suggest starting the slowest runner first and working up the fastest. This would lead to more passing, but I think the trail was wide enough and the runners polite enough to handle it. It would also allow more time for the timing crew to get from the start to the finish. I highly recommend this race for new trail runners and old veterans alike.

Pengelly Double Dip

Distances: about 13 miles, about 5 miles, 1 mile
Location: Missoula, MT
http://www.runwildmissoula.org/rwm/pengelly.html
Another particpant mentioned that he had a love-hate relationship with this race. To love: all on trails, great views, friendly atmosphere. To hate: HILLS!! Almost all of this race is spent going up or down a hill, some of them quite steep, so a good power hike may come in handy. The course starts near the University and heads up to the "M," then goes around the south side of Mt. Sentinel and up to a saddle on the ridge. From the saddle, (here's where you get your 'dips') you go east up the ridge to a peak, back to the saddle, then west up the ridge to the top of Mt. Sentinel, back to the saddle, and finally all the way back down the north side to the start area. 'Single dippers' turn off before the saddle so they don't properly get any dips, though that trip up to the 'M' at the beginning still makes it a hard, hilly course.
There were adequate water stations (5 for the double dip), but they mostly just had water, so I'd recommend bringing your own calories. When I ran it in 2008, it had new race directors and it went smoothly considering it was their first year. In particular, there were enough porta-potties at the start that I never saw a line. In the future, I'd like to see course maps on the website. Also, they didn't spread the word about the post-race awards very well- I missed it while I was cheering a friend into the finish.

Governor's Cup

Distances: 5k, 10k, half-marathon, marathon, marathon relay
Location: Helena, MT
http://www.govcup.bcbsmt.com/
For the 2008 race the race directors finally asked for advice from local runners, which was a big first step in overcoming the race's organizational problems. The nonsensical old system of charging extra to FedEx people their t-shirts & race numbers has been replaced with a standard pre-race packet pickup. More importantly, they started using chip timing at the finish. This resulted in a dramatic decrease in reports of inaccurate times and places. Runners familiar with chip timing should be aware that the start is NOT chip timed- your time starts when the gun goes off and finishes when you (and your chip) cross the finish. I feel that was a fair decision. These races are still small enough that those folks looking for a fast times should be able to get close to the start line. I saw plenty of water stations in the 10k and friends in the half marathon reported that it also had adequate water stops and volunteers. The addition of some on-course entertainment was nice.
I ran the 10k in 2006 and 2008 and the half marathon in 2007. Most of the competitive runners are in these two events. The 10k is a little hilly for a road race, but it does have a downhill finish and I'm personally fond of the sections that pass the capitol building. The 5k has a lot of participants, but most aren't racing. The marathon is a Boston qualifier, but Montana has other, more scenic Boston qualifiers. I have heard the marathon's out-and-back section is a good place to have your family and friends cheer for you.
Since the Governor's Cup is just beginning to re-establish the trust of the running community I would like to suggest a few improvements for future races: 1) though most of the times and places seemed to be correct this year, I heard the timing company had trouble dealing with so many different events & start times. This might be a good time for the board to step back and think about the purpose of this race. If the intent is to encourage community participation in a healthy activity and raise money for a charity, maybe it should just be a 5k/10k. If this is a showcase athletic event maybe it should be just a marathon/half-marathon/relay. 2) have runners check their timing chip at packet pick-up to confirm that the chip has the right name, etc. affiliated with it 3) kids in the 5k and 10k need to be directed to the middle and back of the start area (I'm thrilled to see kids involved. But I nearly tripped over a kid in 2008, which would've been bad for me, him, and everyone behind us.) 4) a few of the water stations just had tables with cups of water on it, the volunteers need to have the water in hand and ready to pass off, those cups can be hard to grab when you're at top speed.

Don't Fence Me In Trail Run

Distances:5k, 5k dog walk, 12k, 30k
Location: Helena, MT
http://www.pricklypearlt.org/eventscalendar/detailedinformation.asp?ID=1628
The 12k race manages to hit just about every trail in Helena's South Hills. There are definately plenty of hills, but none of them are much longer than a 1/2 mile or so. Which makes it a challenging course, but by trail race standards, not overwhelmingly so. The course was well-marked and the single track trail well-maintained, which makes it a good trail race for those new to trail running. The 30k was added in 2008 and although I didn't run it, reports were that it was more of the rolling hills you'll see in the 12k. The folks I talked to reported that the amount of downhill was difficult. I overheard complaints because this year, age group awards were given for the 5k and 12k, but not the 30k. The race directors are pretty responsive so I expect this will be fixed next year. I think the 30k would be a great tune-up for anyone planning a summer ultra. The atmosphere at the race was very relaxed and it attracted the full array of serious racers, not-so-serious runners, and people mostly interested in supporting the land trust. All-in-all a very fun day.

Bloomsday

Distance: 12k
Location: Spokane, WA
http://www.bloomsday.org/
Probably the biggest race in the pacific northwest. Since I grew up in Washington, I've been hearing legends about the difficulty of Doomsday Hill... and when I first ran it (in 2006) ended up almost disappointed with how easy it was. Which is not to say the course, or Doomsday Hill, is easy. It is a tough, hilly course for a road race. But the LEGEND of Bloomsday's difficulty was created by the majority of participants who train to do just this one race every year. Any runner who has trained to race a 12k should have no problems. I enjoyed it immensely and have been particularly impressed with how good natured all the volunteers and participants seem to be. Even though they use chip timing, if you are hoping to put in a fast time, try to get into the second seed. Things are just far less chaotic at the start and finish. Even from the first box of the general starters, there are so many people to weave around that it's hard to do more than 7 min/mile for the first 2 miles. Second seed has gotten more difficult to get into, so you will need to 1) register on-line with a qualifying time from a past Bloomsday 2) mail a qualifying time from another race to the Bloomsday folks in advance or 3) cross your fingers and get to the check-in as early as possible on Friday. Start is cold and there are no drop bags, so wear old clothes, hang them on the trees in the start and they will be collected and given to thrift stores. Lots of food booths in the finish area so I recommend bringing a little money so you can hang out in the park and have some lunch after the race.

Wenatchee Marathon

Distances: marathon, half-marathon, 10k, kid's run
Location: Wenatchee, WA
http://www.wenatcheemarathon.com/index.htm
This is a first-class effort by the organizers, with chip timing, lots of pre-race communications, medals for finishers, drop bags, great "poly" shirts and blocked hotel rooms with discounted (though still pricey) rates for runners. The event includes a marathon, and 10K and kids' races as well. The event is easily accessible for anyone living in western Montana and should be close enough to return home post-race. (You can postpone hotel checkout till after the race to get a shower before getting back on the road...) Except for a portion on downtown streets at the start, the course follows an asphalt trail and lies mostly within the area's river park system. The route crosses a ped bridge and then another large bridge over the Columbia (on the bridge's sidewalk). Course info has the run at about 600 feet elevation with a 60' gain, though there were several ups and downs. Some in the half-marathon may see it as a problem that the half-marathon starts first and the 10K and Marathon start shortly after with the result that slower half marathoners will be overtaken by the pace bike for the later races, before their turn-around point. Personally, I enjoyed seeing the faster people and the bikers were good about giving warnings before passing. With the river and surrounding mountains, this is a wonderful, scenic run, even on a cloudy day.
****reviewed by a Helena Running Club guest reveiwer****

Laughlin Half-Marathon

Distances: half-marathon, 5k
Location: Laughlin, NV
http://www.laughlinhalfmarathon.com/
This race is on an extraordinarily flat, well-maintained dirt road. The race organizers call it a trail race. I can see their point, but I call it a road race. I ran the half-marathon. Both race distances are an out-and-back on an road along the banks of the Colorado River. Even though it was flat, I was slowed after the turn around by running into the wind. Talking to locals, it sounded like an upstream breeze is normal weather for this area. Half-marathoners can expect 5 aid stations. It would be nice to have some signs directing you through the resort to the race start and parking. Other than that, the race organizers did an exceptional job. In particular, everything started extraordinarily punctually and the timing system (Runnercard) ran very smoothly and got results out quickly .

Shamrock Shuffle

Distances: 10 miles, 10k, 5k, kid's run
Location: Rio Rancho, NM
http://www.the-athletes-edge.com/
This is a new race (or at least I hope it's a new race) and once it gets around its organizational problems, there is potential for a great local race. My #1 beef- prior to the race, the "race website" had no race information except the race logo. At the bare minimum it needed a link, or even a sentence, directing you to Active.com for race info and registration. After the race, results did get posted on this "official website." I ran the 10k which was two loops around a golf course. I think the 5k was supposed to run the second of the two 10k loops, although the participants got misdirected and did the first loop instead. I think the 10 mile made a loop outside the golf course, then joined up with the 10k. The 5k and 10k were all on asphalt paths. The course was far from hilly, but it was never really flat either. The biggest hills were a few hundred meters at the start and a 1/4 mile long grade into the finish. Expect distance markers every 2 miles. Top 3 overall get gift certificates to the local running store, which is nice.

Snow Joke Half-marathon

Distance: half-marathon
Location: Seeley Lake, MT
http://www.cheetahherders.com/snowjoke.html
Running Snow Joke is a great way to encourage yourself to get your winter mileage in. Given the time of year there is potential for ugly weather, but one perennial runner has assured me the weather is usually good. I'd recommend you hedge your bets and bring the yaxtrax and extra layers anyways. The course starts by heading north on Hwy 83 for 5 miles of long rolling hills- should be clear of snow. Then you turn left onto a well used dirt road . Watch your footing when you turn off the highway, you're coming off a downhill and the turn can be icy! This portion of the course is flatter, but expect packed snow and ice. The most notable hill is a gentle uphill starting at mile marker 12 until you get back on Hwy 83, about 1/4 mile from the finish. There are two aid stations, I think both had water and HEED. Since it isn't hot out this was plenty. The staging area is the elementary school gym, so there is a warm place to stretch and an opportunity to clean up post-race in the (child-size?) locker room showers. It is reasonably well organized with a low-key atmosphere- this is off-season racing after all.

Two Bear Marathon

Distance: marathon
Location: Whitefish, MT
http://www.twobearmarathon.org/
I have run this race twice, 2006 and 2007. It is hands down the finest marathon course I have ever run. The first 15 miles is trail and gravel roads through the Stillwater National Forest located outside Whitefish, MT. The remainder of the course follows around Whitefish Lake. Everything about the race is great, time of year, location, race personnel, course, after race party, nice tech race shirts and handsome finisher’s awards. If you are looking for a fun and beautiful race course that is professionally put together, try the TwoBear.
****reviewed by a Helena Running Club guest reveiwer****

Meeteetse Absaroka Challenge Mountain Run

Distances: 5k, 10k, 15k
Location: Meeteetse, WY
http://www.meetrec.org/race/raceb.html
I did the 15k and it was a tough race! All 3 races start at the same time and place. The 5k heads up a jeep road and then turns off and makes a loop back to the start/finish. The 10k goes all the way up to the end of the jeep road then turns around and returns the same way. The 15k goes up the jeep road and then just continues. From the end of the jeep road you are pretty much just heading cross-country for the rest of the race. After the jeep road you head up a steep hill to a ridge, along the ridge, then it's downhill to the finish. The downhill is probably the hardest part because it's so steep you can't run, you just have to survive. The race website advises 15k runners to wear gloves. I was fine without gloves, but a pair of low gaiters to keep the rocks out of my shoes on the downhills would have been very welcome. The race was well-marked but nonetheless, the leaders still managed to get off-course, so I would not recommend the 15k for anyone new to trail running. Race directors did a great job providing aid stations (there were 5). I really appreciated having my hands free of a water bottle on those hills. Barbeque at the end was also welcome because it took quite awhile for everyone to trickle in.

August Road Race

Distance: 3.8 miles
Location: Helena, MT
This is a point-to-point race mostly on dirt road. At the end you can carpool back with the volunteers or just run back to the start. As the "publicity" for the race says: no prizes, numbers, t-shirts or door prizes. Just local runners getting together to race and have a fun evening. Fun and low-key.

Snow King Hill Climb

Distance: 2.3 miles
Location: Jackson, WY
http://www.tetonwyo.org/parks/nav/200567.shtm
I did the 40th annual Snow King Hill Climb July 28, 2007. This was only 2.3 miles long, with the first 0.5 miles straight up the street to the base of Snow King Mountain, the ski area in town. The remaining 1.8 miles is all up, with an elevation gain of 1500 ft., (that's nearly a 16% grade!) mostly on a narrow dirt service road, except for a short initial single track. There's a short, level sprint over the ridge to the finish line at the top. There's no way to get lost and no technical expertise required. It's all about horsepower. And the view from the top is a real reward. There were aid stations on the course and runners could take the chair lift down. I ran down because the line for the lift was taking forever. The race had a great festival atmosphere, starting at the town square on Farmer's Market day. I thought it was cool that they closed the main intersection briefly and start the race from right there. There was a BBQ afterward and many drawings for some pretty decent prizes.
****reviewed by a Helena Running Club guest reveiwer****

Spring Meadow Triathalon

Distances: sprint triathalon, olympic triathalon
Location: Helena, MT
http://www.helenarunningclub.com/docs/SML_Tri.pdf
Spring Meadow State Park is one of the nicer triathalon venues in the state. The park is on the west edge of town, in the shadow of Mt. Helena. The spring meadow triatahlon is beginner friendly because it features both a sprint and olympic distance. The swim is a long clockwise circle around the circumference of the lake. The water is always cool but wetsuits are allowed and recommended. The transition is a short run across grass to the paved parking lot. The bike course is arguably the strongest attraction of the race. It is an out and back route on a two lane county road through open ranch country. The road is open to traffic. On the way out it is gradually uphill with some rolling hills thrown in. On the way back, not only do you get to enjoy a fast downhill, but there are also rewarding views of Mt. Helena and its southern ridge line and the city of Helena with a backdrop of the Elkhorn mountains. The run starts with a lap around the lake on a nice dirt path and exits the park for a brief section on pavement. The olympic race runs 2 loops of the 5k sprint course which brings the runners back through the park so fans have an idea how the racers are faring. More than half the run is on dirt trails or roads. Even though this race is not chip timed, the organizers are racers themselves, so they make sure you not only get all your individual spilt times, but transition times as well. This race usually has less than 200 competitors and is well organized with friendly, outgoing volunteers. Among the volunteers is an experienced finish line announcer (and triathlete himself) who has the abilty to both to communicate with the racers and keep the fans informed about the racers and their performances. Unique awards are given to 1st thru 3rd places in 5 yr. age groups. The organizers have tried to give participants something different from the standard t-shirt. In the past, sweatshirts, singlets, or workout bags have been given. The low key awards presentation after the race also has many raffle prizes. The race is always held on the Sunday after the 4th of July and the weather has always seemed to cooperate with sunshine and no rain!! The low entry fee is just one more good reason to add this race to your schedule.
****reviewed by a Helena Running Club guest reviewer****

Keweenaw Trail Running Festival

Distances: 10k, 2k kid's run, 5.8k hill climb, 25k
Location: Copper Harbor, MI
http://www.greatlakesendurance.com/
This is a trail running series composed of a 10k on Saturday morning, the hill climb Saturday evening, and the 25k on Sunday morning. The kid's run is after the 10k. You can enter individual races if you like, but I recommend doing the whole series. This series was a blast!!! The race is at the very tip of Michigan's Upper Penninsula, so it's a little difficult to get to (especially from Montana) but very scenic. The 10k is a net uphill with lots of rolling whoop-de-do hills. There was a lot of technical single-track during the middle section of the race, which made it difficult to pass, so try to get yourself into a good position by the time you cross Hwy 41. I thought that coming from the Rocky Mtns, would make the hill climb a piece of cake. Instead I found it surprisingly steep. You start out on a beach alongside Lake Superior, so you have shoes full of sand for the entire run. After a few hundred feet you get up on a road until about the 1/2 mile mark. From there it was all uphill on a jeep-width trail with some loose rock. Race followed by a dinner at the host lodge. The 25k the following morning was tough and was sort of a trail run potpourri. There is steep downhill soon after the start, you run along the shore of a lake to the aid station. You then make a loop on techincal, rolling single track. Followed by a different loop on a combination of dirt roads and single track with some mud bogging and a creek crossing. You pass by the aid station one last time before heading back up the steep hill. From the top of the hill, it's only a few hundred feet to the finish. The final race is followed by a breakfast and awards ceremony. The race had generous awards of local pottery and jam for the individual races and a wide assortment of gear for the series winners. The only minor problem was that the dinner after the hill climb was fairly late at night, which doesn't set you up for a great race the next day. I vote for a beach picnic at the race start, rather than driving all the way back to the lodge. As a last bit of advice, if you're going to go to the effort of getting to the Keweenaw penninsula, make a trip of it and spend some time before or after the race. It's a full weekend of racing and you don't have much energy between races to enjoy the other nearby trails, kayaking in Lake Superior, mtn. bike rentals, and local restaurants.

Icebreaker

Distances: 5 miles, 3 miles, 1 mile
Location: Great Falls, MT
I've heard the 5 mile race is the only "money race" in Montana. That may be, but you can give up on winning any of it. The race directors bring in exactly enough professional runners to win the money. Three pros and everybody else isn't much of a race. On the other hand, it is your only chance to see pros without leaving Montana- and man, do they look smooth! The 5 mile does have an out and back section, so you should get the chance to see them even if you're racing. All three races start and finish in the same spots. They are also all pretty flat and turnout is high so you can hope for a fast time. It is also a pretty decent course for spectators- you should be able to see your friends about 3 times on either the 5 or 3 mile course.

Wheat Montana 5k

Distance: 5k (or thereabouts)
Location: Missoula, MT
A very flat, fast course with tough competition because they have coveted prizes for the overall winnners- lodging for Bloomsday. They also had good gift certificates for second, third, and door prizes. Despite it being a fast course, you won't get a PR because the course was slightly longer than 5k (maybe 3.3 miles?). Apparently this was due to traffic control issues, so I'd prefer if they'd advertise it by the correct distance, rather than getting into the finish and wondering why your time was so slow. I enjoyed the race and would recommend it as a good race to stretch out and try out your speed.

Big Butte Run

Distances: 1 mile, 5k, 11k
Location: Butte, MT
I did the 11k and there isn't much overlap in the two courses, so I don't know what the 5k course is like. Starts at the World Museum of Mining up a steep hill on single track trail. Before the end of the first mile, you've gotten onto a dirt road with a slight downhill grade to until about halfway into the race. You then turn up a different dirt road with a slight uphill grade. There is another noticeable hill right before the finish back at the World Museum of Mining. Probably the first "trail run" of the year in Montana. The awards were somewhat disappointing, but other than that not a bad early season race.

St. Patrick's Day Race

Distances: 3 mile, 6 mile
Location: Anaconda, MT
I did the 6 mile which was a fast downhill course- a nice way to start off the Montana running season. Racers were bused to the start. You run down from the hills west of Anaconda, into town and finish on the main street. Course was fairly scenic. Probably the hardest thing about this race was that you had to stand around in the cold waiting for the race to start and there was no way to get extra layers to the finish. Drop bags would be a welcome addition.

Valentine's Day Race

Distance: 5k
Location: Helena, MT
Follows roads and asphalt trails around the Carroll College campus and neighboring Memorial Park. The course is pretty flat, but it's not a particularly competitive race, so don't expect a PR. Easy, fun morning race with the locals.

Canyonlands Half Marathon

Distance: 5 mile, half-marathon
Location: Moab, UT
http://www.moabhalfmarathon.org/halfm/halfm.html
A scenic road race that runs along the Colorado River and finishes in downtown Moab. A great location, but with so many trails in the area it was disappointing to be on a road. Low rolling hills with a slight downhill grade overall. They have a limit of 4000 runners total for the two races. Maybe by now the word is spreading and there are more entrants, but I registered early and had no problems getting in, even though the race filled in 2006.