Race Info/FAQ
If you don't see the answer to your question on this list, please email Race Director Anders Brooker.
Cost and Registration DatesMissoula 5K (July 7, 2012)
Kid's Marathon (July 7, 2012)
Course
Aid Stations
Toilets
Safety
Course Time Limit
Pace Groups
Gear Bags
Bus Shuttle
Timing/Results
Race Photos
Things to do & Places to stay in Missoula
What time does the Marathon and Half Marathon start?
Is the Missoula Marathon Walker friendly?
What are the age divisions for the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon?
Will I be affected by Missoula's altitude of 3,200 feet, especially if I am flying from a place at or near sea level?
Does the Missoula Marathon get International Participants?
What is the closest airport?
What can I expect for temperatures?
Is there a Pre-Race Pasta Dinner?
Do I have to get my race packet at the Expo on Saturday?
Can I have a friend pick up my race packet for me?
May someone under age 14 participate in the Full or Half Marathon?
What do I get for running the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon?
I am injured and cannot participate. Can I have my money refunded?
Is there a wheelchair division?
Where are the chip timing mats located?
Will there be splits read?
Can I run with an iPod or other device?
May I run with my babyjogger?
What's the date for next year?
Early registration (through May 15, 2012)to top »
Marathon - $75
Half Marathon - $60
Marathon Relay - $200
Missoula 5k - $20
Kid's Marathon - $10
Open registration (May 16, 2012 through June 30, 2012)
Marathon - $90
Half Marathon - $80
Marathon Relay - $250
Missoula 5k - $25
Kid's Marathon - $10
Late registration (July 1, 2012 through July 7, 2012)
Marathon - $120
Half Marathon - $110
Marathon Relay - $300
Missoula 5k - $30
Kid's Marathon - $10
Missoula 5K (July 7, 2012)
There are some great changes this year to the Missoula 5k! We are adding a technical race shirt, medal and an earlier starting time. The 5k is a fun way to participate in Marathon weekend. Whether you are a family member of a marathoner, just want to shake out your legs for the marathon, or want to race a great 5k.... this is going to be a great race! to top »
Kid's Marathon (July 7, 2012)
Kids can do their own marathon! To get started, download a training log from missoulamarathon.org and start logging your miles. Stop when you have completed 25 miles and then come run the last 1.2 miles on Missoula Marathon weekend. After you cross the finish line, you'll have completed 26.2 miles - Now you're a marathoner! to top »
Course
The Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon courses are flat, fast, USATF certified, and the full marathon is a Boston Qualifier! The marathon course does have a significant hill at the halfway point. Both races are point-to-point, beginning with a scenic route through the countryside and finishing in historic downtown Missoula. The marathon and half marathon courses are well marked with both cones and arrows on the road. You will notice every mile is marked on the road and with 8ft tall mile markers.
Full and Half Marathon course map (Link)
Kid's Marathon course map (Link)
to top »
Aid Stations
There are 19 aid stations for the Full Marathon and 10 aid stations for the Half Marathon. They are approximately every 2 miles then every mile the last 10K. Each aid station will have water at the first table and sports drink at the 2nd table. Cliff Shot Gel will be handed out at 3 aid stations this year. Please check the map to see which aid stations will have Gel. There will be two flavors of Cliff Shot Gel: Strawberry and Vanilla. to top »
Toilets
There are port-a-potties at each Start, the Finish, and at every aid station on the course. Every year we add more port-a-potties, but we suggest you take care of your business early; there is always a line 5 minutes before the start! to top »
Safety
The course is coned and marked very well, but it is open to traffic. There will be volunteers and police officers at most intersections. Please run or walk on the right side of the road unless otherwise directed. Because the course is open to traffic, we discourage music devices. Baby joggers are allowed, but we ask that you start toward the back.
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. to top »
Course Time Limit
There will be no official time for anyone taking longer than six and a half hours to finish the Full or Half Marathon course, or 7 1/2 hours for walkers on the Full Marathon course. Aid stations, traffic control, volunteers, etc. will relinquish their posts based upon the six 1/2 hour completion time. to top »
Pace Groups
Our pace groups are coordinated by Team Stampede, the local triathlon group. The goal is to have pacers for the following times:
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)
4:15 (9:43 mi pace)
4:30 (10:17 mi pace)
4:45 (10:52 mi pace)
5:00 (11:26 mi pace)
Please remember our pacers are volunteers, with their own potential injuries, and they aren't professional pacers. If someone pulls a hamstring the day before, he/she won't be there. We will do our best to live up to these pace times. Each year every one of our pacers made it to race day and finished on time! to top »
Gear Bags
You will be given your gear bag at packet pickup. Please make sure your gear bag has your correct race number on it. 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. to top »
Bus Shuttle
There is NO parking at either the Full or Half Marathon start. The bus pickup is at the Parking Garage on Main St between Higgins Ave and Ryman St. There is free parking at the Parking Garage and it is one block from the finish line. Bus pickup will start at 4:20AM with the last bus leaving at 5:30AM. We suggest taking one of the earlier busses to the start. to top »
Timing/Results
The Missoula Full, Half, and 5k will be chip timed with results posted the night of the race. There will be an awards ceremony for top 3 in each age group and top 3 overall in the Full and Half Marathon. to top »
Race Photos
Free race photos will be available for download following the event. to top »
Things to do & Places to stay in Missoula
Please visit Destination Missoula's 2012 Missoula Marathon Deals page for loads of details. Updated frequently! to top »
What time does the Marathon and Half Marathon start?
The Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon both start at 6:00am. Marathon Walkers start at 5:00am. to top »
Is the Missoula Marathon Walker friendly?
Yes! We encourage walkers on both the Half and Full Marathon courses. You have ample time to finish either event, with 6 1/2 hours for the Half and 7 1/2 hours for the Full (5 am start time for walkers on the Full Marathon course). to top »
What are the age divisions for the Missoula Marathon and Half 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+ to top »
Will I be affected by Missoula's altitude of 3,200 feet, especially if I am flying from a place at or near sea level?
We went to our own University of Montana Health and Human Performance Dept. to get a real answer. The short one is "no," you won't be affected. The slightly longer answer is that any minimal affect from the altitude is offset by the perfect running conditions, cool and dry. The long answer is in our blog at www.missoulamarathon.org. to top »
Does the Missoula Marathon get International Participants?
Yes, the Missoula Marathon does get international participants. Most come from our neighbors to the north in Canada, but we have also had participants from Japan, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia and many others. We do have an international airport, so getting here from there is no problem. We look forward to our running friends from other countries coming to enjoy our event as well as Montana. to top »
What is the closest airport?
The closest airport is the Missoula International Airport, located 15 minutes from downtown Missoula.
There are also airports in Spokane (WA), Bozeman (MT) and Kalispell (MT), all of which are an approximate 3 hour drive from Missoula. to top »
What can I expect for temperatures?
Hot and dry. Expect to start off in the low 50's and end in the high 70's if you finish around noon. to top »
Is there a Pre-Race Pasta Dinner?
No, we do not yet have an official Missoula Marathon pasta dinner. With all the great restaurants in Missoula, we want to give you a chance to experience our city. Visit Destination Missoula or Missoula Downtown Association for restaurant ideas. to top »
Do I have to get my race packet at the Expo on Saturday?
Yes. You must pick up your race packet and Chip on Saturday at the Expo between 8 am and 6 pm. There will be NO packet pick-up on race day. For late flights into Missoula, we have made arrangements for a Registration Table to be at the baggage pick-up at Missoula International Airport. You will receive only your race number and chip at that table. to top »
Can I have a friend pick up my race packet for me?
Yes, you may. to top »
May someone under age 14 participate in the Full or Half Marathon?
The Missoula Kids Marathon is specifically designed for youth to participate in a marathon without overusing their young joints and muscles, and we urge you to consider that choice.
However, yes, children under the age of 14 may participate with the signature of their parent or guardian in the Half Marathon. There is no age category for anyone under 14, and therefore no awards or comparative placement, in order to discourage competing in an endurance event at a young age.
For their protection, children under the age of 14 may not participate in the Full Marathon. to top »
What do I get for running the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon?
All finishers of the Missoula Marathon, Marathon Walker, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay receive a technical short-sleeve shirt, a medal, excellent post-race food provided by the Good Food Store, and more. There are awards for overall male and female finishers for both Open and Masters categories, plus age group awards. to top »
I am injured and cannot participate. Can I have my money refunded?
You have the option of transferring your registration to another runner, or your own registration to another year, for a $20 administration fee. There are no refunds. to top »
Is there a wheelchair division?
Yes! Wheelchairs are allowed on the course, but handcycles are not. to top »
Where are the chip timing mats located?
There are timing mats located at the start of both the Full and Half Marathon, the mid-way point of the Full Marathon, and at the finish. We DO NOT have mats to record the Marathon Relay splits. to top »
Will there be splits read?
Splits will be read at the halfway point of the marathon, only. to top »
Can I run with an iPod or other device?
The course is open to traffic. We strongly discourage compromising your ability to hear vehicles coming. to top »
May I run with my babyjogger?
Sure. Please position yourself at the back. to top »
What's the date for next year?
Sunday, July 8th, 2012. to top »
