Events

WHY RUN MISSOULA…

This race is always incredible. The energy from staff, volunteers, runners, and the community is amazing. Race production is always spot on, no glitches. Beautiful race expo in the heart of downtown. The race course itself is great, mostly flat, and beautiful. When you get into the residential areas, many members of the community come out to cheer everyone on, it really is an incredible feeling. They offer bag check because it’s a point to point race that runs very smooth. After 5 years, I’ve never ran into any problems at this race. They did move the date up to late June instead of the second weekend in July. Oh, the medals were gorgeous as usual. Way to go Missoula Marathon.

Kellenday

From the time you arrive at the airport, you feel welcome here. Everyone was friendly and hospitable. The expo was well run, and the shirt and medal were very nice. The buses got us to the starting area in good time, where we enjoyed fireworks and great music while getting ready to start in perfect temperatures (high 40s to start, not very humid). The trend of sufficient port o lets began at the start and continued through the entire race. The course is lovely and has just enough elevation change to give a little challenge. We enjoyed enthusiastic folks at each water stop, offering plenty of gels later on, and encouragement all of the way. Great piano playing, places to get sprayed, and lots of kind comments made this an easy run. I never felt like I had to guess where I was going next, as the course was well marked and monitored. Enthusiastic professionalism is the mark of this race. This was my 70th marathon and it was a fabulous experience for me and my wife who came to support me.

J.L. from SC

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

I’ve done a handful of half marathons, but this was my first full, which I found on bibrave for its #1 rating. The race totally exceeded my expectations. The course was flat and fast—the first 2 hours flew by—the community of support was incredible, and the other runners are respectful, friendly, and fun. The views were breath-taking (or maybe that was just the one big hill?) and everything went smoothly. It’s wasn’t crowded, but you were never isolated. The team of pacers was encouraging, timely, and wonderful. Aid stations were spaced well and volunteers were on top of it. Truly the best first full marathon I could have chosen!

Emily B. from Louisville, KY

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

This race was top notch in all aspects. There were a lot of races this weekend in the great NW including an ever popular tunnel race in Snoqualmie and a Revel Race at Mt Hood, both beautiful courses. However, neither could match the excellent community and race organizer support of Missoula. Port o potties scattered every 1-2 miles, a lot with NO WAIT–that’s possible?? People with signs, on horseback, playing the piano, strumming the banjo, giving me free gummy bears, mimosas, Fireball shots, whiskey, M&Ms, cooling me off with sprinklers. Who are these people? Do I know them? I’ve never had so many fans. I was a pacer so I’m the one supposed to be calling out times and splits, telling jokes, making the long journey less arduous but the Missoulans provided far more luxuries than I could offer. Mile markers were spot on, Pacers were spot on across the board—which is rare. I was very proud to experience this run. Definitely top notch!

S.E. from Visialia, CA

The community support for this race really set it apart. Despite the 6 AM start, there were tons of spectators along the route cheering, especially toward the end of the race when you run through residential neighborhoods. People were also playing music (including a grand piano in someone’s front yard, and multiple bluegrass bands), offering their own aid stations with freezer pops and cold sponges, pointing their sprinklers into the road to cool down runners, and providing “adult” refreshments. Major shout-out to the group handing out beers at mile 23! In addition to the community support, the race also had beautiful scenery and was really well organized. I’d definitely recommend this race

Jessies9686

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