Grizzly Marathon - Race Reviews

Don't let the small size of this race scare you off, this is a terrific race with great organization and a great layout. When they say no fans, they mean it - we're talking ZERO fans along the route. But what a beautiful course! Some tough rolling hills, but a net downhill overall. Gravel roads were fine to run on, not the issue other posts make it out to be. This is a race I would highly recommend to 50 Staters - the people in Montana could not be friendlier. Point to point this year, so you have to be on the bus pretty early (4 a.m.), but running through the scenic ranch country at sun up was pretty awesome. Overall, one of my favorite races.

This race begins and ends in the town of Choteau, but the majority of the race is run on rock and gravel roads in the rural countryside. Very scenic, as you progress through many rolling hills on this out-and-back journey. Organization was wonderful. Aid stations are adequately stocked and roaming volunteers do a great job monitoring everyone's progress. Pre- and post-race meals are well-organized and the workshop/presentation session on the eve of the marathon is both beneficial and enjoyable. Since it is a rural area, you won't see many spectators, but the hospitality is wonderful and the places to visit in the Choteau area are an added bonus that I would definitely run it again. Hills can be very challenging, however, and it would be beneficial for any participant to train for them prior to running. Kudos to Syd for making this race a small-town sensation!

Grizzly Marathon Choteau, MT Saturday, July 31, 2010 6:00 a.m. I flew into Great Falls via Denver on Thursday. From the airport to Choteau was a 55-mile drive. I stayed in Stage Stop Inn, a nice hotel with super friendly staff, located within a short walking distance to the start/finish of the marathon. Packet pick-up was on Friday afternoon/evening at the elementary school, where the Spring Creek 4-H Club served a pretty good pre-race spaghetti dinner, which seemed like a fund-raising event ($8 per person). The race packet included a technical short-sleeved T-shirt, an embroidered race ski hat, and a few other items. The start and finish were at the elementary school. Race day temperatures ranged from high 50's to mid 80's. The 6:00 a.m. start was very helpful. Mother Nature was kind to us by keeping the sun hidden behind the clouds for a while. The air was dry. In short, the weather turned out to be much better than what I had expected it to be. As advertised, the out-and-back course was hilly and challenging. The first 1.8 and last 1.2 miles were on paved roads; the rest of the course was on gravel roads. The route was scenic and I found myself amazed by the Big Sky Country. There were more hills on the way out than on the way back, which made the run suitable for negative splits. There were aid stations every other mile. There were mile markers. As expected, there was no crowd support. The route was very well monitored by volunteers on all-terrain vehicles. We shared the first several miles with half marathoners. Each finisher received a nice medallion in the shape of bear claw. There were plenty of recovery food items and drinks at the finish. In short, this was a well organized running event for which I salute the race director and her staff of friendly and cheerful volunteers. There were 76 (42 male, 34 female) finishers with the average finish time of 4:49:47.

This race was not originally on our to-do list until some friends from Virginia signed up for the marathon. Since they would be in the state we decided to join them by doing the half marathon (our 9th). We totally enjoyed the weekend! Choteau is the quintessential small western Montana town with lots of charm and a population of only about 1,800. The RD does a fine job of seeing to all details. The pasta night benefitted the local 4H club and the guest speakers were very interesting. Being a Montanan, the course was as I had expected with expansive views of the Big Sky Country. The hilly, gravel course was in good condition and the aid stations plentiful with friendly volunteers who had to get up really early to get in position. The race SWAG was great. This event really has fun and friendly vibes, and I wholeheartedly recommend it if you are looking to experience a race in Montana. There are no age group awards but the overall winners did receive a very cool cast of a grizzly footprint. The finisher medals were a nice-quality, metal, grizzly claw.

If you are looking for a small (fewer than 100 marathoners) event through the high prairie with the front range in the background and a warm and friendly race organization and town, this is one you should consider. The course is basically and out-and-back (this year) on gravel roads, largely uphill out and the reverse back, so its a great course for negative splits. Not a fast course, by any means, so it is best to deep-six the wrist watch and enjoy the day. There aren't really any spectators, but we were pampered by energetic and friendly volunteers at every aid station. The RD, Syd, is quite on top of things, so everything from packet pickup to the finish line was expertly implemented. The omnipresent grizzly theme added just a touch of whimsy, but no runners were eaten. We highly recommmend the Stage Stop, from which we walked to and from the start/finish.

I was passing through Montana and decided to pop into Choteau for the half-marathon. The people were SO incredibly nice, energetic, and accommodating - to me, that is what I'll remember most about Choteau! This was the first year with this course and there were a few anomalies: The gravel course is tricky, and the hill at the turn-around point for the half-marathon seemed odd. Also, I could have used a few more water stations. I would carry water if you're a big drinker or if it's a hot day. And, as others have surely mentioned, don't expect a PR. Spectators are virtually nonexistent - not a bad thing, but be ready to entertain yourself! Having said that, I would absolutely recommend the Grizzly to anyone! Go for the natural beauty and small-town charm and hospitality.

Being a flat-lander, this course was challenging but beautiful, with the Teton Mountain Ridge in the background. It's basically you and the wide open plains. Don't let the small-town marathon scare you; they did a great job, had a big turn out, and it was well organized. The socks, cotton shirt and logo gym bag are very nice. I want to thank the people at the water stations and on the four-wheelers - very well done. The finish line was simple and the medal was good. The Station Stop, Log Cabin Cafe and Elks Country Cafe were the places to stay and eat. If you go north to see Glacier National Park, stop at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Valier to get a bite to eat. Negatives: The race was one mile to long; numerous runners had GPS watches and they all had the same measurement, including myself. Except for the first and last two miles, it's a gravel course. Be ready for the hill at mile 3; it's kind of steep.

The hardest course I have ever done (even compared to Bataan) because of altitude (I'm a flat-lander), gravel on most of the course, and that one darn hill at mile 18. Every muscle in both of my legs and feet cramped on that hill! Still, the town is wonderful, the race director has everything well in hand, the Stage Stop Inn is a better than average place to stay in a small town, and there are lots of excellent dining choices. Small-town feel but big-race challenge. Even though this checks off Montana for me, I can hardly wait to revisit this state and try this race again.

I ran this race because it was in the summer and in Montana. I'm so glad it fit into my schedule. I've run some of the largest races in the country but this was, by far, the friendliest and prettiest I've completed. This race doesn't pretend to be a large-town, big race. It's run on the outside of town, down country roads, with little to no spectators. The people manning the water and snack stations were friendly, helpful, and supportive. I didn't give the spectators 5 stars for how many there were, but for how nice and cheerful they were as they stood outside in the heat handing out water. The race starts out with nice, low temperatures for August but quickly climbs as the sun rises. I would suggest some boxes along the road that could be brought back to the start so that runners could strip down as they went along. The hill at mile 19 is tough, but I'd have to say that it's not as bad as expected. I think there were a few hills before 19 that hurt more. I was worried about seeing a grizzly during the race but made up for it by trekking up to Glacier National Park after the marathon. Whoever stood at mile 24 in the grizzly costume in those high temps deserves a special prize. I would gladly repeat this state just to run this marathon.

Two years ago at our local marathon, two 50-Staters told us the Grizzly Marathon was their favorite of the 30-40 they had run. Their instant quick recommendation was what got us there this year. For a small marathon, this one is organized as good as it gets - immaculate, precise planning, nice people, a great shirt, quality medal, quality night-before feed at the Baptist Church by the 4-H kids, aid stations manned by bona fide cowboys and locals, and a dang demanding course with a grizzly trained only to run between packs of runners! Wow, what a race! If you came to this one just for the beautiful drive up from Helena along big winding roads bounded by beautiful mountains, it would be well worth it. All the things that are good about a small-town marathon are there in Choteau, Montana. A choice of clean motels at fair prices, a quality grocery store with fresh fruit and produce for race planning, and a steakhouse rated the best in Montana by American Cowboy magazine for post-race dining and recovery. It is all there. This one is well worth the drive and is a very good marathoner's value.

This was my first Grizzly Marathon and it was somewhat a last-minute decision. I was partly waiting to see how the wildfires would react. The marathon is on gravel (except the first 7 miles) and I was fine with it. If you want lots of crowds, find another race. The folks that were here were very enthusiastic... cheerleaders at the mile 19 turnaround (a nasty little hill). I ran with someone who had run the course before and they said the gravel portions were in better shape than previous races. The only downside was that the smoke from the wildfires obscured the views. So, that means I HAVE to go back and do it again. Plus the organizers and volunteers were fantastic.

My friend and I flew from Oklahoma city to run the half. (I live in Missouri.) I had always dreamed of visiting Montana! Of course, in my mind all of Montana was supposed to look like Glacier National Park, so I was somewhat confused by the "treeless rolling plains" of the "high mountain desert"! But I forgot all about my need for trees after spending just a few hours in the lovely, quaint town of Choteau! It reminded me of Mayberry and I expected to see Sheriff Andy Taylor walking down the street at any moment! Our hotel was in Choteau and the staff was spectacular! I have stayed at many hotels at many races and never been treated as warm and wonderful as I was by the folks at the "Stagestop Inn"! This was an awesome town and I can't say enough good about it! From the fresh, home-baked pies at the Log Cabin Restaurant to the Choteau citizens walking and cycling down the quiet city streets, Choteau found a place in my heart and I will cherish it always! And the ice cream... oh my!! Everyone and I mean everyone we saw welcomed us and wished us luck in the race! As for the race itself, the gravel, the smoke, the hills... well "I survived the burn" and I got an awesome (my favorite) t-shirt to prove it! Even had a grouse run with me and got my picture taken with a grizzly bear at mile 9! (OK, it was a girl in a bear suit.) It's true, there were almost no spectators. But the few that were there were more supportive than some of the big-city crowds I've seen at big races! And the finisher's medal was big... really big! Glacier National Park was close by (about 90 miles north) and so we drove up and spent the day.... Wow... that's some of God's best work! The Grizzly Marathon is a must-do race in my book.... I hope to return someday! Heck, I'd like to move to Choteau!

I just finished running the full today. It was one of the better marathons that I have run, despite the smoke caused by all the fires that were burning throughout Montana. The race started at 6:30 a.m. under perfect weather conditions of 56 degrees with a slight breeze from the NW. Unfortunately, the direction of the breeze brought the smoke our way from a fire that was about 12 miles away. Sometime during the race, however, the winds had shifted, which cleared the air for the most part. Even at its worst, the air quality was still OK. The course starts out on a slight decline for the first 8 miles or so, making for some good start times. Then the country roads kick in.... Gravel the rest of the way. Finding and staying in a good tire path is the key, which requires some shifting of lanes or tire paths, if you will, at times. Once reaching the gravel, the course consists of rolling hills... nothing too bad and very manageable - that is until you reach the 18-19 mile marks. What a killer: the top of the hill is a turn-around at mile marker 19. If you reach it in time (under 3 hours), they will give you a pin that is about an inch in diameter. The words read, "Hillus Horribillis" and "Grizzly Marathon" with a grizzly in the center. I loved this race. The organization was terrific; no spectators, however (I don't train with spectators any way). But the volunteers were terrific - thank you all for a wonderful experience. I was expecting a slow time for me here, but the cool temps and low humidity conditions offset the time I gave up maneuvering over the course. It was a relief from the high temps and humidity that I have been training in all summer long. AWESOME TIME! THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

What are 130 marathoners and equally as many half-marathoners doing in the middle of no where - Choteau, Mt - with a population a meager 1,000? Running, of course. Everyone comes out for a different reason; at least 40% were running this marathon as they were on their quest to complete 50 state marathons. Since there are only a very few races in Montana, this one is used as a "collection" race. I met an incredible number of people that had run between 35 and an incredible 100 races! I know that a "wacko" meter exists, but I didn't know how far into the red zone some have taken it. This loony has no desire to complete 50 states. About the race, it was run 20 miles outside of a VERY small-town called Choteau (show-tow). The race was to start at 6:30 a.m. so that meant all participants had to be at the start around 5:30 a.m. About 40 minutes away from our hotel. It was quite cold at the start ~45-48 degrees. Once the sun came up, it warmed nearly 20 degrees in the next hour. Before my 10th mile in was very hot and the sun was blinding. Most people knew about this (why didn't anyone inform me), and if you did not wear sunglasses or a hat you had a hard time focusing ahead. This race was hailed as a chance to meet nature (specifically grizzlies at a safe distance) and other animals, while enjoying a beautiful run in the Montana Front Range of the Rockies. We were warned numerous times what to do if we saw a grizzly (stay far away and back away slowly), if we startled a grizzly at close range (put your arms out to appear bigger - how the hell do runners do this in skimpy shorts and tee's), and if we got between a grizzly mother and cub (quietly submit to death as it will come quick and painfully). We were trained about how to spot them also - a large hump over the shoulder denotes grizzly or brown bear. As bizarre as this may sound, I was looking forward to my encounter(s). No narrow escapes with any bears, or other animals. I did step over a squished snake measuring about 7'. That was it. I am not even sure if I saw a bird in 3+ hours. If bugs and runners do not count, the landscape was devoid of life. What I did see was lots of gravel. Gravel in every conceivable size. The 1st 7 miles were flat and on asphalt. The next 19 miles were on gravel and rocks with long rolling hills. Imagine running through a stream without water, take a step and slip, take a step and slip... and proceed like this for 40,000 more steps. Two miles had rocks and no gravel, and no matter how you prepare, you cannot train to run on rocks. Although I did not find it painful, it was hard to feel comfortable and maintain a confident gait on these stones. Since we ran the entire marathon on ranches (one of them was David Letterman's) there were cattle gates every mile or so. A cattle gate is a series of 10" rolling pin objects built into the ground so the cattle will not cross them but a truck can easily roll over them. Boards were put down so the runners could pass over them without breaking an ankle. I saw no cattle, although we have seen more cows on this trip then ever before. The course was difficult. The 2 painful hills were midway through the race where you climbed for about 4 miles straight - no relief. The 900 vertical feet stretched over many cattle gates and hills. The most demoralizing aspect of these hills were that you could see them for miles and you knew what was coming long before you got there. I still do not remember the decline but they tell us that we did come down the same vertical distance. Then the ultimate was at 19 where you had to go up a 15-degree pitch for about 200 yards. If you finished the 19-mile hill in less than 3 hours, you received a grizzly bear pin (wow, a pin - now you know why I torture myself). The pin is labeled "Hillus Horribullis"; I made it in 2:37 and did not see the girl handing out the pins. Near tears I found her, as I was not leaving this hill until I was PINNED! By the way, I also missed the girl dressed as a grizzly bear, a major disappointment. The guy in front of me was so dazed that I saw him run off without his pin - I was too tired and not in the right frame of mind to even tell him. I think I realized it about halfway down. Let me tell you about the spectators in Montana. To sum it up in a word NONE. Besides the 8 aid stations, there was not a single one - I mean nobody. Why would there be any? We were in the middle of freakin' nowhere, on ranches that span 100's of square miles. They also closed the course so family was unable to watch until the finale. You can see to end of the horizon if there is not a mountain obstructing your view. Hay fields in most directions. Thus, I spent a lot of time talking to the few water/aid station folks that showed up. The scenery is remarkable, it look like a dessert without the sand. Huge hills and endless valleys that go on forever. The mountain range that we faced for most of the race was truly breathtaking, but who had time to look at it as I was watching my feet navigate the gravel? Seriously, it was fun but harder then I anticipated. About 130 full marathoners showed up; I assume all or virtually everyone finished. Most years everyone finishes. I finished 14th in 3:46, and 5th in my age category (as my kids like to say, "old age category"). No Boston qualifying time, but hey, who comes to almost the end of the United States to pull down a Boston time? How's that for a juicy rationalization?

This race and the everything about it were just great, from the pasta dinner, to the stations, to the people in Choteau. Again, this is not a big-town race and that's why we came here, but the course was challenging and the view from the road (gravel) was out of this world. Thanks again.

This is the best. Great hills to surge or slink up and down - 11 miles running ever closer to the Rocky Mt. front, with the rest of the race stretching range. If you like rural races, or want an introduction to rural races, this is the best. Local families were caring and friendly, with plenty of food even for those of us way at the back - thanks especially to the girl willing to run home to get me lotion, and her mom for reaching into her purse for the lotion she had with her... and especially to the organizers who treated us slow-feets with respect. Great support, great feeling, awesome views. A hill-and-gravel-road challenge to return to; I can PR somewhere else.

This was my first marathon. All I can say is that it was incredible. The people are the friendliest in the world (my girlfriend and I stayed in the home of a local family) and the race was beautiful. Well worth the 15-hour drive.

This marathon is exactly what the race director said it would be. It was a tough course as I expected. Would I do it again? Definitely! The aid stations had snacks, energy gels, energy drinks, and water, much more than big-city marathons. The feast after the marathon was one of the best I have seen. One of the participants collapsed after he finished the marathon, and the response from the aid vehicle was very fast. Running a marathon at high altitude with a constant wind will always be tough. The race director and his wife were very accommodating and did a great job of making sure everyone was well fed and taken care of. For hospitality at its finest, run the Grizzly.

I could not think of a better state to run my very first half marathon!! I drove a distance of 3,700 miles round trip to Choteau, and it was worth every mile and every penny I spent on gas!! The town of Choteau was wonderful, and the people were the best; what a wonderful stay it was!! The course was rough, but I run on gravel everyday, so that was no big deal.... The rest stops were great!! I can't wait for August 2006!!

This was my 27th marathon, and Montana my 12th state in my quest to run the 50 states. Pre-race. Decent race packets, although the race shirt is only so-so. Pre-race meal was a superb pasta dinner with delicious brownies for dessert. The race was pretty well-organized. Good number of porta-potties. It was questionable strategy to start the half-marathoners at the same time a small distance in front of the marathoners. Even though the routes soon split, the lead marathoners still crashed into the back end of half-marathoners. This needs to be changed. Water stops were adequate. Post-race food was very good. The course. Very scenic. The first ~7 miles were on pavement. Then 3-4 miles of extremely rough, big gravel (rocky) road. Then the rest of the race was packed gravel road, and included some significant hills. The last 5-6 miles (flat) were all into a stiff headwind. Spectators were non-existent. The rough section (mentioned above) was the absolute worst 'non-natural' running surface I've ever experienced. I don't mind tough courses with naturally occurring challenges, but having to run on a road covered with large loose gravel rock for 3-4 miles, and worrying about twisting an ankle with each step, was quite irritating, and sure took a lot away from enjoying the run.

This is a very nice small marathon. Everyone involved, from packet pick-up to the pasta dinner to the aid stations, were friendly and supportive. The course is fairly tough, exacerbated in 2005 by a stiff headwind in the final miles. If you haven't spent much time in Montana, it's worth the trip to the wide open spaces. Also, a trip to Glacier National Park (80 miles north) is a must. Don't expect spectators or large groups of runners, especially in the later miles.

This was an extremely well organized and well-managed marathon on a beautiful and challenging back-country course in the foothills of the Rockies. There were ample aid stations, friendly volunteers, and more portable toilets than most marathons ten times the size. And generous mini-meal refreshments were provided after the race. I was happy to take home a unique first-in-age-group prize: appropriately, it was a locally hand-crafted walking cane.

The pre-race dinner was very good. Lots of pasta and tasty spaghetti sauce. They even had home-made brownies that made the run worth the effort. The organization and volunteers did a great job at the packet pick-up and getting everyone parked quickly and safely in the dark. Even though the course has about 18 miles of gravel and loose rocks, it did not beat up my legs and feet as much as I thought it would while I was running. I didn't see any wild animals as I was hoping, but maybe that's a good thing. There weren't many spectators, but everyone there was very friendly. Thanks, Choteau, for a very good experience.

Toughest course I've run; lots of gravel, hills. However, very beautiful scenery, great organization, outstanding support along the way. Expect a slow time, but expect a great experience.

This was my first marathon at 'elevation' so I was taken off guard a bit by the physical demands it put on me. This was all overwhelmed by the beauty of the course and hospitality of the marathon support team. I told my Higher Power I wouldn't never try it again if I ever finished but now that it has - I want to do it again sometime. Great small marathon and a wonderful trip for a Georgia boy!!

This is not a PR course (hills+ altitude) but it is absolutely beautiful and the support couldn't have been better. Aid stations tried to outdo each other in refreshments and entertainment. People in town offered up their houses when local motels got full. Take extra time and visit the parks for some breathtaking scenery. Highly recommended small marathon.

The Grizzly Marathon was definitely a tough experience. I'm not sure if it was my interrupted training due to working in the Middle East in the weeks before the race, the altitude, the course elevation changes (read hills), or possibly a combination, but this is one marathon I won't soon forget. There's a lot of talk about rocks, but they were never a factor (just train on road shoulders and you'll be more than prepared). That hill that seemed to run through the middle third was another story. It makes Hurricane Point at Big Sur look like a speed bump. I was ducking planes at the crest. It was definitely a quiet and serene time with beautiful mountain scenery. The post-race events were very enjoyable. But the best part of the entire weekend were the people. They are 2nd to none when it comes to being the friendliest and most warm hearted people around.

First I would like to congratulate everyone who made the pilgrimage to Choteau. Secondly I have to thank the volunteers and race organizers for being so friendly and putting on such a fine event. I met a lot of fine people/runners as well! I thought the pin for getting to the top of 'Hillus Horribillus' at mile nineteen in under three hours was a great gesture. The T-Shirt was about par for most marathons I have experienced. The only complaint I have is the finisher's 'medallion'. I know I am not alone in this sentiment when I say I was insulted by what was handed to me at the finish of what I consider one of the most grueling marathons I have run. I have enough key chains. I was promised a finisher's medallion at the finish and did not receive one. In keeping with tradition of every other marathon I do not believe this was the area to be creative. I really love my collection of finisher's medallions and unfortunately I will not have one in this instance. The key chains belong in the goodie bag at the expo. Overall a very worthwhile experience and other than the finisher's 'medallion', I would drive 1850 miles again.

First, I would like to congratulate the race director and staff for pulling off a fantastic marathon in the middle of nowhere. Realizing it takes a village to succeed in the production of a marathon, add points for 20 miles from town. The medal on a key chain attached to a lanyard was a unique idea. I think what makes this race a great marathon is the friendliness of all the people including staff, volunteers, and the runners. I have never run a marathon that had more friendly people. Maybe we all bonded because we were suffering together. Having really trained for this marathon, I was disappointed in my time. I should have been at least 26 minutes faster, but considering the gravel and the latitude, I accept my time with my head held high. The bear pin that was passed out during the run will be a treasure; however, it was hard to keep up with for the remaining part of the marathon. Just as disappointing as my time was the shirt. I feel like the Grizzly Marathon has unlimited potential for a shirt. Of 38 marathon shirts, it is near the bottom of the list. I would rate the pasta dinner as fair. At least you had one. Thanks to all of you that worked so hard to make the marathon successful.

If you are looking for an easy, flat, paved, spectator lined, PR marathon then stay home. If you want to experience the rugged beauty of Montana with the charm of a small town then this is for you. For the most part the run is on gravel back roads with some pretty major hills. It seems that every turn gives you a panoramic mountain scene which is pretty inspiring. The aid stations are a little over a mile apart and for the most part the only place you will see people but the folks working the aid stations are the nicest group you'll find working at a race and made everyone feel like they were winning the race. The terrain is great and the course is hard so expect your time to be slower than usual but then again it gives you more time to enjoy the sights. I can't say enough good things about this race and the town of Choteau.

I loved this marathon. It was a small well-organized race in the middle of a remote area of Montana that is very peaceful and serene (I obviously didn't see any grizzlies). Spectators are pretty much limited to those manning the aid stations, which is OK with me. Although I knew that much of the course would be on gravel roads, I was surprised at how large and loose the gravel actually was in some places. I recommend wearing shoes with plenty of support or you'll have some real sore feet by the end. The aid stations were plentiful and manned by the local folks who were very friendly and encouraging. There is a nasty hill at mile 19 that will put the squeeze on you, but they at least give you a little commemorative pin if you make it there alive by 3 hours. There is a bus that you can take from Choteau to the start, but I would advise you to drive your own vehicle unless you want to wait for hours for a return ride after the race. I would recommend this race for your Montana marathon. Make sure you have sturdy shoes and some powerful sunscreen!

I'm just starting out on my 50-state marathon quest and I'm trying to do races that allow me to see what the state is all about. My marathon trips may be the only chance I get to visit some of these places. I chose the Grizzly Marathon as my Montana race because: 1) I had never heard of the host city - Choteau MT 2) the race was run in a 'Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone along the Rocky Mountain Front of Northern Montana' 3)'Local ranch families as well as townsfolk' man the aid stations 4) the name 'Grizzly Marathon' is one of the coolest race titles I've ever heard. I went expecting a tough, low-profile, race in Big Sky Country, and was not disappointed. Here are my observations on what the race was and was not. The Grizzly Marathon was: 1)Beautiful - the course is set in a sea of plains grass streching to meet a powder blue sky at the horizon, granite peaks looming in the distance, solitary ranch houses occasionally dotting the landscape 2) Well Organized - Plenty of porta-johns at the start/finish & the middle of nowhere, a well marked and laid out course, high profile medical support, a chase plane overhead monitoring runner progress/health, aid stations manned by enthuastic ranch families 3) Tough - the hills kicked my rear, but the rocks killed my feet. The Grizzly Marathon was NOT: 1) A Party - no bands, no funky concept teams, no themed aid stations, no spectators beyond the ranchers & townsfolk, a basic finisher's medal (and that rustic, no-nonsense approach was EXACTLY what I came to MT for!) 2) Easy to get to - the race is held 25 miles OUTSIDE Choteau, pop. 1,600. I stayed in Great Falls, 50 miles away 3) A PR waiting to happen - a tough (but not impossible) course put the winning time above 3 hours (and mine above 4 hours). I would certainly do this race again. It was worth the effort to see Montana up close and to run such a beautiful race. But here's fair warning - it's not called the 'Grizzly Marathon' just to be cute.

I was looking forward to this one for some time, as I had never been to the state of Montana. A little nervous flying in when the flight attendant announced that the smoke we smelled was not the plane, but the result of forest fires. However, I think we got lucky because it cleared the day of the race. The course is deceptive, as the first 7-8 miles is relatively downhill and made to make you run too fast in the beginning and pay in the end (which I experienced). I loved the challenge of the ascent from 8 to 12 and the hill at 19. I had wished that I had worn my trail shoes from 8 to 12 due to the large and sometimes sharp gravel, but after that it was not a problem. The water stops were more than adequate with Gatorade, water, and Hammer Gel at 16 and 21 miles. I cannot over-state how nice and friendly the water stop attendants and the race director were. I was there until the last person finished and they remained out there for support. I would recommend it, but make sure that you get your hotel early. I tried about 3 months before and had to stay about 50 miles from the race, at a little bed and breakfast called Stone School Inn(very nice and friendly).

You would never know that this was the first year of the race. I will be back next year. (I ran the half marathon).

It was my 36th marathon (22nd state). The race director and volunteers were attentive, cheerful and seemed to enjoy sharing their community with strangers. They put a lot of thought and energy into this event, and it really showed. It was important that the finishers fill out a survey afterwards, so they could improve upon things for next year. I didn't have much to say, since I could think of anything they could improve upon. The first 7 miles was asphalt, and the rest was gravel. It was in the foothills of the mountains, so there were a lot of beautiful open prairies across rolling hills, with spectacular views of mountain ranges not too far distant. Yes, it is not the easiest course, but it's not hardest. The aid stations were well stocked with lots of stuff. They were staffed with people from all ages from throughout the community. It was fun to see the high level of participation. The pasta dinner the night before was good, as was the barbecue and awards ceremony afterwards. Well worth doing!

The weather, the scenery, the people, and the course were incredible. Not a fast course, but the next day you do look back on the hills and laugh. Lots of water/Gatorade. Good stuff at the end. Pasta dinner was fun. The town was receptive to the event. Constructive criticism: 1. When people pre-register, they should get the shirt they selected. 2. A 6:30 start means 6:30. Even the apprehension of dealing with heat and smoke is bothersome. 3. Send a courtesy e-mail listing EVERY hotel within 50 miles of the race. I highly reccomend the Bunkhouse in Augusta. No HBO or private bath, but a good night's rest with good people in a great town (Augusta). Encourage people to book early. Showers at the jr. high and KOA were a great idea.

You would never know this was an inaugural marathon because of the outstanding organization and exemplary support. This was a well orchestrated race, planned by runners who know the needs of marathoners. The 16 or so aid stations were stocked full of everything you could ask for with an enthusiastic support crew of all ages. The course itself consisted of 7 miles of pavement and approximately 19 miles of hilly gravel and dirt roads. We were fortunate that a light rain and mild winds cleared the air from all the wildfires burning in Montana. The start was located approximately 20 miles outside of the charming town of Choteau (pronounced show-tow). The town anticipated and welcomed all of the out-of-town runners that dominated the race. In fact, there were runners present from several European countries and as far away as Australia. It also served as a reunion for the 50 States Marathon Club with 43 members present, representing 24% of all the finishers attending the event. To top it off they had lots of goodies at the finish line, and later on the town folks hosted a bar-b-que for the runners to socialize after the event. I highly recommend this race for a lasting enjoyable memory, even if you never plan to run all 50 states!