How do I enter the Big Sky Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners and opens March 1 each year, continuing until the field is full. The field is small due to US Forest Service restrictions on public land use, so it fills faster than most open-entry races. Sign up early if you're serious about running it.

Is the Big Sky Marathon a Boston qualifier?

No. The Big Sky Marathon is not a Boston qualifying race.

What is the course like in terms of elevation?

It's a point-to-point course with a net drop of over 3,300 feet, starting above 8,500 feet and finishing near 5,100 feet. There is about 680 feet of gain in rolling sections along the way, so it's not a straight downhill, and the high-altitude start means effort management is critical in the early miles.

What is the time limit?

The time limit is 9.5 hours, reflecting the demands of altitude and mountain terrain rather than a leisurely course.

How do I get to the start line?

The race provides shuttle buses from Varney Bridge to the high-altitude start. Plan to arrive at Varney Bridge early. The closest airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International, about a two-hour drive away, and most runners base themselves in Ennis, roughly 12 miles from the start.

What should I expect from race-day weather?

Expect a cold start at altitude and a significantly warmer finish in the valley. July afternoons can reach the mid-80s, and mountain thunderstorms are possible later in the day. Dress in throwaway layers for the start and plan your hydration strategy around the dry mountain air.

Is the course USATF certified?

No, the Big Sky Marathon course is not USATF certified.

Sun, Jul 12 · 2026Big Sky, MTSince 2015

Big Sky Marathon

The Big Sky Marathon drops nearly 3,400 feet across a point-to-point course through the Montana high country, starting above 8,500 feet and finishing in the valley below. It is a small, raw race that rewards patience and punishes altitude naivety.

Net downhillOpen

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BIG SKY · US

Big Sky

SUN, JUL 12

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 2015

Big Sky is a small, no-fuss mountain marathon and it feels like it. You start above 8,500 feet in the Montana high country, and the course runs point-to-point down toward the valley. Shuttle buses take you up to the start from Varney Bridge, so plan to get there early and give yourself time to settle before the gun. The altitude hits you immediately. Even if you feel good in the first few miles, your lungs are working harder than you think. Don't go out with the downhill.

The course drops over 3,300 feet net, and that sounds like a gift until mile 15 when your quads start talking back. The terrain includes some short climbs scattered through the descent, so it never just lets you fall downhill without paying attention. The field is tiny, which means long stretches where it's just you and the Montana landscape. The time limit is generous, which reflects the seriousness of altitude and mountain running more than any softness in the course. Registration opens March 1 and the field fills out quickly given how few spots there are. If this kind of race is on your list, don't wait on it.

Field size

~22

22 finishers

BQ rate

—

Not a BQ race

Time limit

9:30

Generous cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

3:54:30

Matt Holton

2016

The Course

682 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑682 ft

Total descent

↓4,050 ft

Net elevation

↓3,368 ft

Highest point

8,531 ft

Lowest point

5,147 ft

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

This is a net-downhill point-to-point course, losing over 3,300 feet from start to finish. The opening miles run at altitude above 8,500 feet, where the thin air will make early paces feel deceptively hard. Most of the descent comes in the middle stretches, offering fast splits if you manage effort rather than pace. The 682 feet of gain is spread in short rollers rather than one sustained climb, so recovery is possible. The final miles drop toward the valley floor near 5,100 feet. Surface and exposure on mountain terrain mean footing matters. Not USATF certified, not a Boston qualifier, but a genuine downhill runner's course for those who respect the altitude.

DIFFICULTYROLLINGPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

50°F

High

84°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

July in the Montana high country means a cold start and a warm finish, and the gap between those two is big enough to matter. At the start elevation you'll want layers you're willing to leave behind. By the time you reach the valley the afternoon heat can be real, especially if you're still out there in the later miles. Hydrate from mile one. The dry mountain air makes it easy to underestimate how much you're losing. It can also swing fast with afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains, so keep an eye on the sky after midday.

Entry

OPEN

Registration opens March 1 and continues until capacity is reached. Small race with limited field size due to US Forest Service policy on public land usage.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

BOI

269 mi

from the start

≈ 425 min transferLonger haul

What to expect

Runners fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (90 miles, 2 hours drive) or Jackson Hole Airport (180 miles). Base yourself in Ennis, 12 miles from Varney Bridge race start. Race provides shuttle buses from Varney Bridge to the high-altitude start; plan to arrive early.

Frequently Asked

7 questions

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