Missoula Marathon

FAQ

General

Marathon weekend will be Friday, June 28 through Sunday, June 30, 2024:

  • Sunday, June 29, 2025
  • Sunday, June 28, 2026
  • Sunday, June 27, 2027

Yes.  The Missoula Marathon is a USATF Certified course #MT22003MF and meets the Boston Marathon qualifying criteria.  Each year we provide the Boston Athletic Association the results from the Missoula Marathon for their use.

The Missoula Half Marathon & Missoula Marathon are also USATF Sanctioned Courses, meaning you can qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials during the qualifying window. 

  • Tony Banovich 5K: 1,500
  • Missoula Half Marathon: 3,000
  • Missoula Marathon: 1,500
  • Missoula Marathon: short sleeve technical tee shirt, gear bag and finisher medal plus FREE race photos
  • Missoula Half Marathon: short sleeve technical tee shirt, gear bag and finisher medal plus FREE race photos
  • Tony Banovich 5K: short sleeve poly-cotton blend tee shirt, finisher medal and [*New in 2024!*] FREE race photos.

Yes!

The Missoula MarathonWeekend of Events is beyond thrilled to have Alison Mariella Désir join us for our race in 2024! Alison will be at the Runner’s Expo Friday and Saturday to meet, inspire, sign, books, and sell merchandise. She will also be participating in some of the weekends races so participants will get a chance to run with her! 

→More Info

 

We do not have an official Missoula Marathon dinner. With all the great restaurants in Missoula, we want to give you a chance to experience all the great dining options that our city has to offer. Visit your  Destination Missoula or Missoula Downtown Association for restaurant ideas.

 

There will be an awards ceremony for top 3 men, women and non-binary overall in the Marathon & Half Marathon at the finish line. There will also be awards (with no ceremony) provided to the top 3 men, women and non-binary in the 5K. Age group awards will be mailed to winners once results are final. Overall prizes and cash will be awarded based on gun time, not chip time. Age group awards will be awarded on chip time.

(Marathon) 0-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+

(Half) 0-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+

(5K) 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+

Yep! Missoula Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K race participants are welcome to exchange their unworn 2024 race shirts at the Caras Park Pavilion, on Saturday, June 29 at the Expo,  Sunday, June 30th, post-race until 1:30 pm. 

 

Shirt exchange will also be available at the Run Wild Missoula offices, at 304 N Higgins (basement of the Runner’s Edge), beginning Monday, July 1, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Sizes may be limited and may not be available for all races.

See the information below under Course & Course Safety

Note: If you are anticipating winning prize money for 5K, Half or Marathon (for overall or time bonus awards) you CANNOT wear earbuds per USATF sanctioning rules. It is the sole discretion of the Missoula Marathon and it’s race director to determine who is disqualified for violating USATF sanctioning rules. Please see race rules and prize money schedule here

Dogs are NOT allowed (with the exception of ADA service animals) in any of our races, at packet pickup in Caras Park, or at the post race celebration in Caras Park.

Spectators: Due to the size of the crowds, we would ask that you consider leaving your dog at home rather than bringing them to the finish line.

Baby joggers strollers are allowed, but we ask that you start toward the back and or the sides of the course.  Please use caution when around other runners.  Strollers must be foldable and able to be stored between the seats of the shuttle buses to the start lines.

The course is coned and marked very well, but it is open to traffic. There will be volunteers or police officers at most intersections. Please remain on the right side of the road unless otherwise directed.  Because the course is open to traffic, we recommend that all participants wear bright clothing to improve visibility.

 

Music devices and earbuds/earphones are strongly discouraged.  For your safety and the safety of those around you, it is recommended that you leave the music at home on race day.  If you do carry music, you must still be able to hear instructions from race officials; directions from course monitors; motorists that may have made their way onto the course; and, warnings from participants that may be overtaking you.

 

With the exception of official bike monitors and escorts for handcycle and wheelchair participants, bicycles are not permitted.

 

For handcycle and wheelchair entrants, it is the participants’ responsibility to provide a manually operated wheelchair or handcycle that is fully functional and properly maintained.  Handcycles and racing wheelchairs are expected to abide by the equipment rules and guidelines of the International Paralympic Committee.

 

It is strongly recommended that all handcycle and wheelchair participants wear a helmet. Due to the course being open to traffic, a flag (at least 5’ off the ground) and/or flashing light(s) on each wheelchair or handcycle is recommended.

 

We ask that all faster participants yield right of way and go around when overtaking slower participants.

 

Participants should be aware that the full and half marathon courses merge at the 15.6 mile point of the marathon (mile 2.5 of the half marathon).

 

Marathon participants are likely to encounter half marathon participants after the merge point. Wheelchair and handcycle marathoners with finishing times faster than 2:00 (2 Hours) can expect large numbers of half marathon participants from the merge point to the finish. Please use caution when overtaking slower participants.

 

Half marathon participants should be aware that marathon participants, both runners and wheelers, may be overtaking them after the merge point.  Half marathoners with finish times over 1:40 (1 hour, forty minutes) – be aware that you are likely to be overtaken by handcycle and/or wheelchair marathon participants who may be traveling at a much faster speed than you.  Please obey any commands from course monitors and/or escort bicycles/vehicles.

 

Handcycle and wheelchair marathon participants, please manage speeds so that you are in full control when descending the hill from mile 15.2 to mile 15.6 and when making the turn from Big Flat Road to River Pines Road (i.e. merge point).

 

All participants, please use extra caution when overtaking and passing other participants on the section of bike path near mile 20.5

 

Over the last 5.5 miles ±, the half and full will be split by cones to give you more room. Half marathoners please stay on the right side of the cones. Full marathoners please stay on the left side of the cones. Please do not cut across cones when turning at corners.

 

If you experience medical issues while on the course, please look for a volunteer, bike monitor, or police officer. There is a fully staffed medical tent at the finish.

 

If you have to drop out of the race, please let a volunteer at an aid station or law enforcement officer know and they will arrange for you to be transported.

 

All participants must be capable of completing the course in 7.5 hours. There will be no official time for anyone taking longer than 7.5 hours. Aid stations, traffic control, volunteers, etc. will relinquish their posts based upon the 7.5 hour completion time. If you are still on the course, you will be asked to move to sidewalks for the remainder of the route; and, to obey all stop signs and traffic signals.

Pre-Race shuttles are for participants wearing bibs only.

  • Please check your gear bags promptly upon your arrival at the starting line. Bags left unattended are subject to search and removal.
  • Participants will be ushered through the finish chute to post-race hydration area and gear bag pickup.  Participants can then enter the participant area and walk to the post-race area in Caras Park for food, free beer, photos and more. Participants can wait for other finishers in the gear bag pickup area or at the post-race events in Caras Park. There will be no re-entry into the participant area once finishers exit to Caras Park.

Run Wild Missoula offers several classes to help you prepare for either a marathon or a half marathon.

Check out the training classes page on our club website for more details.

Great! Please use our Reddit Forum to communicate with others seeking or offering housing. 

*Please note: Race organizers are not closely monitoring the Reddit page, so please use it as a tool for non-race logistic discussions.

Registration

We use RunSignUp as our registration platform.

Registration will open October 1, 2022 at 8:00AM Mountain Time! 

You MUST pick up your marathon or half marathon race packet at the Runner Expo, at the Caras Park Pavilion, on Friday, June 28th between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM or on Saturday, June 29th  between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

 

There will be NO packet pick up on race day. You may have a friend pick up your packet for you.

 

For late arrival into Missoula on Saturday, we have made arrangements for a late packet pick up at the Missoula Airport from 5:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. (This late packet pick up will include your race number and gear bag.  But, you will need to visit the T-shirt exchange area after the race on Sunday to retrieve your shirt.)  Please contact Trisha Drobeck if you have a flight that is scheduled to arrive at the Missoula Airport after 10:30 PM.

 

Tony Banovich 5K packets can be picked up at the Runner Expo on Friday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM; or, on race morning in Caras Park from 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM.  There is NO race day registration.

View our Refund Policy HERE

Check out our Race Changes & Bib Transfer page HERE

You can verify your registration or check on a training partner’s registration by clicking HERE.

Yes! We have discount codes for (but not limited to) Indigenous runners, traditionally marginalized communities, those currently serving in the Military, MM legacy runners, Kids Marathon. If you wish inquire about a scholarship or discount code, please email the race director.

 

Wheelchairs & Handcycles

We are pleased to offer wheelchair and handcycle divisions for the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon.

Racing Wheelchairs, Everyday Wheelchairs and Handcycles are allowed in the Missoula Marathon & Half Marathon.

 

Escort cyclists will be provided as needed to assist with notification of course monitors and traffic control personnel.

 

Please review the Course & Course Safety section of the FAQ for rules that apply to all participants.

Entry fees for the wheelchair and handcycle divisions will be the same as for Missoula Marathon & Half Marathon

Wheelchairs and handcycles will start five (5) minutes prior to foot runners in both events. Start time will be 5:55 am.

Athletes with disablilities can be taken to both start lines with personal vehicles. We will provide you with a window placard to identify that you are allowed to park in the starting line area.

A.D.A. compliant portable toilets will be available at the start lines and finish area.

Custom awards will be presented to the overall male and female finisher in the wheelchair and handcycle divisions of the Marathon and Half Marathon.

 

Missoula, Montana

Missoula (and all of Montana) is on Mountain Time (same as Denver).  All time listed on this website are based on Mountain Time.

Late June in Missoula typically sees cool mornings, warm afternoons and low humidity.  Expect a race start in the high 40’s to low 50’s and low to mid 70s if you finish around noon.

Please join us all weekend as we celebrate the Missoula Marathon at Missoula Paddleheads Baseball! Discounted links available in early 2024!

Check out this page to explore ways to get around and park in Downtown Missoula. 

Missoula has a variety of rental car companies, Toro, Lyft and Uber. We highly recommend you take advantage of our award winning, zero fare transit system in town with Mountain Line. IT’S FREE!!

Download the Mountain Line Transit App

 

YES! Thank you Delta Airlines and Alaka Airline  for generous discounts to our travelers.

  • Please use THIS LINK for your DELTA discounted race TRAVEL for domestic and international flights to Missoula or Kalispell, MT. 
  • Thank you Alaska & Horizon Airlines for generous discounts to our travelers. Please VISIT THEIR WEBISTE and use code: ECMK124  for your discounted domestic flights.

 

Race Day

There is NO parking at either the marathon or half marathon start.  There is NO drop off at either the marathon or half marathon start.

Bus transportation to both start lines is provided as part of your entry. The bus pickup will be near the Adams Center at the University of Montana. Buses will run from 4:15 am until 5:15 am. Please allow time for parking and try to load one of the earlier buses to make sure you arrive at the start line on time.

For our disabled participants – you may drive personal vehicles to both start lines.

 

2024 INFO WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SPRING 2024!

Once you get off the shuttle bus at your start area, take the time to use the portable toilets, get some water, drop off your gear bag, and head to the start line.  Basic maps of both start areas can be found at the following links.
Map of Half Marathon Start Area
Map of Marathon Start Area

→ 2024 Course Map Here

Both the half and marathon courses officially close at 1:30 pm, a 7.5 hour limit.  Aid stations will close and streets will reopen based on the 7.5 hour limit.

If you are on course past the 1:30pm you will kindly be asked to move to the sidewalk should you wish to continue.

There are 14 aid stations for the marathon and 8 aid stations for the half marathon. They are approximately every 2-3 miles during the early parts of the race, then approximately every mile during the last 10K. Each aid station will have Powerade at the 1st table and water at the 2nd table.

→ 2024 Course Gel Info

The following aid Stations will have GU Energy Gel flavors Salted Carmel & Raspberry Lemonade:

  • 5.6 miles [mara]
  • 11.6 miles [mara]
  • 15.8 miles [mara] + 2.7 miles [half]
  • 21.4 miles[mara] + 8.3miles[half]

Portable toilets will be provided at both start areas, the finish and at each aid station along the course. ADA compliant portable toilets will be available at the start lines and finish area.

Yes! We are working diligently to get private pumping areas at both the marathon and half start lines. Should you need this service please contact Trisha Drobeck to ensure we can accommodate your needs.

Yes! You will be given a gear bag at packet pickup. When you pick up your bib and gear bag at the Expo, you will need to write your bib number on your gear bag in LARGE, easy-to-read, numbers. We will only accept the gear bags provided, there will be NO other bags accepted.  Both start lines will have a drop off area and your bag will be transported to the finish area. Please do not leave any valuables in your gear bag.  Please make sure your gear bag has your correct race number written on it in LARGE, clear, writing! 

 

Thanks again to UPS for organizing and managing our gear bags.

There is no driving or crossing the course. Law enforcement and volunteers will be present to ensure the safety of our runners. Please SEE OUR 2023 EVENT GUIDE to find the best viewing.

2024 INFO WILL BE AVAILABLE IN LATE SPRING 2024!

Marathon: We will strive to have pacers for the following times: 3:00 (6:52 mi pace), 3:10 (7:14 mi pace), 3:20 (7:37 mi pace), 3:30 (8:00 mi pace), 3:40 (8:23 mi pace), 3:50 (8:46 mi pace), 4:00 (9:09 mi pace), 4:10 (9:32 mi pace), 4:20 (9:55 mi pace), 4:30 (10:17 mi pace), 4:40 (10:41 mi pace), 4:50 (11:04 mi pace), 5:00 (11:26 mi pace).

 

Half Marathon: We strive to have pacers for the following times: 1:30 (6:52 mi pace), 1:40 (7:37 mi pace), 1:50 (8:23 mi pace), 2:00 (9:09 mi pace), 2:10 (9:55 mi pace), 2:20 (10:41 mi pace), 2:30 (11:26 mi pace).

 

The pacers will wear bright pacers shirts and carry balloons with the finish time written on them. Please remember our pacers are volunteers with their own potential injuries – they are not professional pacers.  We will update this information if there are any changes to our pacer program.

The Missoula Marathon, Half, and 5K will be chip timed with results posted online the night of the race. There will be 8 split mats for the marathon and 4 split mats for the half located along the course.  Results will be posted on race day – click HERE to go to our results page.

We’re pleased to announce the Missoula Marathon, Missoula Half Marathon & Tony Banovich 5K will provide FREE on-course and finish line photos to participants.  These photos will be yours to download and share on your social media platforms.

Be sure to tag us! #LastBestRace @missoulamarathon

Both the Missoula Marathon and the Half Marathon finish just past the Beartracks Bridge (formally Higgins Avenue Bridge), in front of the historic Wilma Theater.  Finishers will then proceed through the finish area, which is limited to race participants.  Spectators, family and friends can meet up with participants in the Caras Park Pavilion, below the Beartracks bridge, or at another designated meeting spot outside the participant-only area.

Live participant tracking & results for the the 5K, Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon are available via Competitive Timing App. Available on the App Store and Google Play.

 

In the app

Search for and click on the event you’ll be following or participating in. Spectators can track any number of participants and view live progress on a map.

 

Tag us on social media during race weekend at #MissoulaMarathon, #LastBestRace and @missoulamarathon