Events

WHY RUN MISSOULA…

This was my fourth time in Missoula to race. I did the half several years ago and chose this for my first marathon in 2015. I returned again in 2017 then just couldn’t stay away this summer. Not only do I love this town, but this marathon is still my favorite. Beautiful course with temps at perfect running conditions (especially with moving the race from July to June). We cross three bridges in the full with a doable hill halfway. The neighborhoods are a great way to finish – everyone is cheering with their own special goodies and sprinklers to cool you down. The best volunteers, from those directing traffic to running the aid stations. You can feel their energy push you through and their genuine encouragement motivate you! The Pacers are fun and truly there to help you have a super memorable experience. My goal was a sub 4 and I accomplished this one due to all the amazing course support. It is always so organized and easy, from packet pick -up to gear bag (they had mine ready before I even walked up all the way) to the food and photos. All I wanted was the watermelons and frozen fruit bars – yum!! A cold water and coke tasted amazing! The whole town and businesses welcome you entirely instead of making you feel like you inconvenienced their streets and way of life (I have done 3 other big city races that left this impression). Love this town, race, and people!!!!

Leslie D. from Mccall, ID

I feel this is a neat and different style of race that is definitely worthy of its top rankings on the BibRave100 list. It is extremely well organized, has thousands of participants, but still has a small-town, friendly atmosphere and feeling to it from beginning to end. I liked the area and entire race weekend so much that I plan on returning with my family next year as part of a road trip out West. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn’t had an opportunity to experience it yet.

Juan J. A. from Cypress, TX

If you are a “50 States Fanatics” this is your Montana race! One of the best organized races I have ever been involved in! Every person working the race, whether at the expo, aid stations on the course, or at the finish line was exceptional. You know, without a doubt, that this race weekend has been planned meticulously! The beer run, the 5K, the full and half marathon, the expo, the well-designed T-shirts, the Montana outlined bib (so cute!), the huge finisher medal, the free finisher photos, all make this race a definite destination race! If it is not on your bucket list now, you need to add it!

Barb N. from Missoula, MT

Gorgeous scenery aside (it’s beautiful!), this race is incredibly well organized: plenty of generously-stocked aid stations, easy parking near the busses, great finish line, & awesome pre-race expo. The cherry on top, though, was the level of community support. Along almost the entire course were local people cheering you along. There were musicians galore (classical pianist!, guitars, banjos, percussion, rock bands, DJs, etc etc). And once we got into town, almost every neighborhood had their own refreshment tables offering you fun items (some of the noteworthy things were: Scandinavian fish, fireball shots, sodas, chilled fruit, mimosas, gummy bears, etc). The runners felt truly welcomed by the community. When we (finally) got to the finish line, we were cheered in with mighty encouragement. Then there was a free beer.

J.M. from Hawaii

Some, or all, may agree that the age of fantastic customer service is long gone. The advent of the Amazon age makes it easy to forget that people are behind the products and services we want to purchase. If you’re a little ‘old school’ and want to spend a few bucks and enjoy a community sponsored event (this race is not put on by a big national chain) the Missoula Marathon delivers on all fronts. From the airport, hotel staff, public folks, race officials, and the crowd to cheer you on, it’s a masterpiece in race support that other events could learn from. This race is #1 for a reason, and if there are a few nit-picky things that a participant didn’t enjoy, they are probably never satisfied. You need to look hard to find the service and execution this race delivers, and for the effort it takes to get to this little town, it’s worth twice as much once you’ve spent the weekend there. Kudos to the organizers for a job very well done!

Torrey H. from Montana

This was a very well organized race, with easy race logistics and a very good course. The race started early (6am) with fireworks to send us on our way. The first half of the race was very scenic, with a number of downhill portions. Along the way we were serenaded by a number of unique musicians, including a piano player, wearing a tux and playing piano in his front yard, very cool! The 2nd half of the race went through the surrounding neighborhoods until we headed downtown for a very noisy finish. Plenty of volunteer support throughout the race and good spectator support over the 2nd half and, in particular, the last 0.1 mile to the finish. The weather was absolutely perfect for running. Plenty to do in the area before and after the race, including Glacier National Park about 2 1/2 hrs away but well worth the trip. This is one I plan on repeating!!

Rcturk262

Missoula Marathon was voted #1 by BibRave & you simply just have to experience it for yourself to see why! 3 Races. Gifts. Swag. Heavy Medals – this race has it all! What I like most about this race isn’t the race itself, but everything surrounding the race. Missoula is absolutely beautiful & everyone in town is proud of this race – and it shows! The folks are friendly, the scenery is stunning & there are so many activities like hiking & rafting that you can do after the race! Be sure to take Friday & Monday off so you can spend 4 wonderful days in Big Sky Country!

Rory Leigh C. from Los Angeles, CA

Bottom line is that it’s a very well done race. It’s well organized and marked, and the half is its own race basically; they start farther down the course and you don’t really merge with them unless you’re running really fast; the course is not congested but they also mark lanes for half and full after the merge point. There’s lots of support from police, volunteers, and the community. The event organizers took precautions when it looked like the weather might affect the welfare of the runners but they didn’t panic and cancel it like some races might have done. It ended up being a great day to run and well worth the trip! I highly recommend the race, especially if you’re a fifty stater looking for a summer race / Montana marathon. Well done, Run Wild Missoula!!

Meg S from Virginia

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About Run Wild Missoula and its signature event, the Missoula Marathon