Marathon Details - Montana Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MT > Billings > Montana Marathon

Montana Marathon & Half Marathon, 10K, 5K

Billings, MT USA

May 19, 2024

http://www.montanamarathon.org

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Contact

Name:	Cindy Thompson
Address:	Time Out Sports 1595 Grand Avenue Suite 270 Billings, MT 59102
Phone Number:	(406) 245-9735
Fax Number:	(406) 245-9735
Email:	Email the organizers



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Reviews

Course 4.0

Organization 4.5

Spectators 2.7

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Number of comments: 34 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

C. K. from WI (10/3/2014) "Big Sky Marathon!" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm a 50-stater and I must say I really enjoyed this marathon! I liked the low-key packet pickup which was fast and efficient with complimentary wine & beer to boot! They have an optional 5 am start that is open to everyonenot just walkers . Despite some concerns about running in the dark on remote Montana roads, it turned out to be a wonderful experience!! I saw one of the most amazing nighttime skies with stars and crescent moon that slowly morphed into a glorious sunrisesomething Ill never forget! They dont call it Big Sky Country for nothing! And besides that, it was nice and cool in the morning and it was great to take advantage of that. Obviously, I didn't see some of the scenery in the early miles, but as it became lighter I found it to be very pretty. The marathon is very well run and the volunteers were outstanding. I liked the shirt and finishers medal, which doubles as a bottle opener! :) I placed in my age division but was not able to wait around for the awards, but they were very kind to mail it to me. This is a smaller race but it was really well doneI HIGHLY recommend!!
D. C. from Sheridan, Wy. (9/16/2013) "A good race if you live close" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This would not be my first choice in Montana marathons if you are a 50 stater. It has great volunteers, but the scenery is not enticing. The road from Molt to Billings is long, cambered and boring. Finally at mile 11 it opens up to a great scenic view, then nothing till you hit town at mile 14.Then its through town, with traffic, potholes and still cambered. HOWEVER: The volunteers are GREAT. The medals are awesome and the shirts are a very nice wicking type.
john holland from Philadelphia, Pa (10/10/2012) "down hill easy as pie" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I don't like yellow bus rides, but thank you It would be cool to have an ultra from the school up to the start and back down. That would take care of the yellow bus. (Smile) I enjoyed the marathon. I will return.
n. s. from USa (9/18/2012) "Great small scenic organized race." (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I came from PA and found the race to be scenic, well organized with cheerful volunteers handing out water and powerade. This is a small marathon with very little spectators but everything else was top notch. I would recommend it to any runner who plans to run a marathon in Montana.
D. S. from Red Lodge MT (12/9/2011) "Greatly improved over the past 5 years" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Montana Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the half this year, but have previously run the full twice and the half 3 times and the 10k once. I'm the DS whose '05 comments are on the last page of these comments, and I'm writing again to say the organizers have done a great job of improving steadily, such that anyone who runs this, and doesn't expect Boston or Chicago amenities, will likely be quite pleased overall. Not that it's perfect: there's still the potential for scorching heat (tho the past 3 yrs temps have been perfect to cold), and if you depend on spectators for a boost, go elsewhere. Plus, you need to warn your quads that this is almost all downhill, and odds are you'll get a boost from the prevailing nw (tail)winds. Best of all, great strides have been made in packet pick-up, busses, and finish line organization, especially the food and bag retrieval. And I have yet to get better designed tech shirts, year after year, than this race. So if you want a small marathon in gorgeous scenery, this could be the one for you.
M. S. from Utah (9/19/2011) "Had a great time!" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this marathon to meet my 50 state quest. It was my 126 marathon and my 37th state. Everyone was so accommodating: from the lady who did the early start for us; then stayed with us; flashing lights until daybreak; to Clarise, a food table voluntar at the finish line; who gave me a ride to my hotel. In between these wonderful women at the start and finish, the race was well laid out; organized; and user friendly! I have done so many marathons that I think that I can say that Montana was marvelous!
Howar Bookey from Canada (9/19/2011) "very underated marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Montana Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Fast course super finishing experience.Did not notice the poota potties at Molt. No signs and its dark. Lined up for 1 holer in the community hall.Drop off bags could be better organized at finish area just a mess of bags. This marathon has great potential for tourism in the area if you work out a couple small details.
S. P. from U.s. (11/2/2010) "Great race; great weather" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Montana Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I met a guy at the finish who had finished his first-ever marathon and walked him over to the volunteers, who forgot to give him his medal... which was identical to the half medal. I think marathon finishers should receive something better than what the halfers get.
P. N. from Austin, Texas (9/20/2010) "Big Sky Beauty" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved this event! My husband ran the marathon and I ran the half. The race director and her committee and the volunteers did a wonderful job in making sure that all the participants in all of the 2010 events had a great experience. The course was scenic and well-marked, and the volunteers were friendly and cheerful. The RD even brought the packets to the host hotel for those of us that chose not to have a rental car. Even the weather cooperated this year. The day was cool and sunny at the start, some fog rolled in to keep the route scenic and the temperatures down, and then the sun came out to finish with a pleasantly warm day. It was about 40F at the start and about 70F and sunny down at Daylis Stadium when my husband finished. We would definitely recommend this event to anyone that likes small marathons with pretty rural scenery and friendly, happy volunteers.
J. F. from Calgary Alberta (9/20/2010) "Amazing course" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my 20th marathon and the route was wonderful. Pros: Great scenery. Friendly volunteers (when they were paying attention). Great location for a finish, as it finished inside the stadium. Local police and volunteers were directing traffic in town, which definitely helped, since no roads were closed to traffic. Cons: They said there would be gels at the water stations, but there weren't any in the later stations. No snacks of any variety at the finish line. The website lacks information (for example, that the start will be cold (2C) and that we should keep our warm clothes until just before the race start as we will want them in the community centre and while standing in line for the porta potties). No information on how many people were entered. No timers at all on the course - you are totally on your own when it comes to timing. A few more years and they may have all the small details worked out. A great marathon route, really!!

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

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C. K. from WI (10/3/2014) "Big Sky Marathon!" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm a 50-stater and I must say I really enjoyed this marathon! I liked the low-key packet pickup which was fast and efficient with complimentary wine & beer to boot! They have an optional 5 am start that is open to everyonenot just walkers . Despite some concerns about running in the dark on remote Montana roads, it turned out to be a wonderful experience!! I saw one of the most amazing nighttime skies with stars and crescent moon that slowly morphed into a glorious sunrisesomething Ill never forget! They dont call it Big Sky Country for nothing! And besides that, it was nice and cool in the morning and it was great to take advantage of that. Obviously, I didn't see some of the scenery in the early miles, but as it became lighter I found it to be very pretty. The marathon is very well run and the volunteers were outstanding. I liked the shirt and finishers medal, which doubles as a bottle opener! :) I placed in my age division but was not able to wait around for the awards, but they were very kind to mail it to me. This is a smaller race but it was really well doneI HIGHLY recommend!!
D. C. from Sheridan, Wy. (9/16/2013) "A good race if you live close" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This would not be my first choice in Montana marathons if you are a 50 stater. It has great volunteers, but the scenery is not enticing. The road from Molt to Billings is long, cambered and boring. Finally at mile 11 it opens up to a great scenic view, then nothing till you hit town at mile 14.Then its through town, with traffic, potholes and still cambered. HOWEVER: The volunteers are GREAT. The medals are awesome and the shirts are a very nice wicking type.
john holland from Philadelphia, Pa (10/10/2012) "down hill easy as pie" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I don't like yellow bus rides, but thank you It would be cool to have an ultra from the school up to the start and back down. That would take care of the yellow bus. (Smile) I enjoyed the marathon. I will return.
n. s. from USa (9/18/2012) "Great small scenic organized race." (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I came from PA and found the race to be scenic, well organized with cheerful volunteers handing out water and powerade. This is a small marathon with very little spectators but everything else was top notch. I would recommend it to any runner who plans to run a marathon in Montana.
D. S. from Red Lodge MT (12/9/2011) "Greatly improved over the past 5 years" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Montana Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran the half this year, but have previously run the full twice and the half 3 times and the 10k once. I'm the DS whose '05 comments are on the last page of these comments, and I'm writing again to say the organizers have done a great job of improving steadily, such that anyone who runs this, and doesn't expect Boston or Chicago amenities, will likely be quite pleased overall. Not that it's perfect: there's still the potential for scorching heat (tho the past 3 yrs temps have been perfect to cold), and if you depend on spectators for a boost, go elsewhere. Plus, you need to warn your quads that this is almost all downhill, and odds are you'll get a boost from the prevailing nw (tail)winds. Best of all, great strides have been made in packet pick-up, busses, and finish line organization, especially the food and bag retrieval. And I have yet to get better designed tech shirts, year after year, than this race. So if you want a small marathon in gorgeous scenery, this could be the one for you.
M. S. from Utah (9/19/2011) "Had a great time!" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this marathon to meet my 50 state quest. It was my 126 marathon and my 37th state. Everyone was so accommodating: from the lady who did the early start for us; then stayed with us; flashing lights until daybreak; to Clarise, a food table voluntar at the finish line; who gave me a ride to my hotel. In between these wonderful women at the start and finish, the race was well laid out; organized; and user friendly! I have done so many marathons that I think that I can say that Montana was marvelous!
Howar Bookey from Canada (9/19/2011) "very underated marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Montana Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Fast course super finishing experience.Did not notice the poota potties at Molt. No signs and its dark. Lined up for 1 holer in the community hall.Drop off bags could be better organized at finish area just a mess of bags. This marathon has great potential for tourism in the area if you work out a couple small details.
S. P. from U.s. (11/2/2010) "Great race; great weather" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Montana Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I met a guy at the finish who had finished his first-ever marathon and walked him over to the volunteers, who forgot to give him his medal... which was identical to the half medal. I think marathon finishers should receive something better than what the halfers get.
P. N. from Austin, Texas (9/20/2010) "Big Sky Beauty" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved this event! My husband ran the marathon and I ran the half. The race director and her committee and the volunteers did a wonderful job in making sure that all the participants in all of the 2010 events had a great experience. The course was scenic and well-marked, and the volunteers were friendly and cheerful. The RD even brought the packets to the host hotel for those of us that chose not to have a rental car. Even the weather cooperated this year. The day was cool and sunny at the start, some fog rolled in to keep the route scenic and the temperatures down, and then the sun came out to finish with a pleasantly warm day. It was about 40F at the start and about 70F and sunny down at Daylis Stadium when my husband finished. We would definitely recommend this event to anyone that likes small marathons with pretty rural scenery and friendly, happy volunteers.
J. F. from Calgary Alberta (9/20/2010) "Amazing course" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Montana Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my 20th marathon and the route was wonderful. Pros: Great scenery. Friendly volunteers (when they were paying attention). Great location for a finish, as it finished inside the stadium. Local police and volunteers were directing traffic in town, which definitely helped, since no roads were closed to traffic. Cons: They said there would be gels at the water stations, but there weren't any in the later stations. No snacks of any variety at the finish line. The website lacks information (for example, that the start will be cold (2C) and that we should keep our warm clothes until just before the race start as we will want them in the community centre and while standing in line for the porta potties). No information on how many people were entered. No timers at all on the course - you are totally on your own when it comes to timing. A few more years and they may have all the small details worked out. A great marathon route, really!!

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