The Missoula Marathon returns for its 2026 edition on June 27-28 in Missoula, Montana — billed as "The Last Best Race in the Last Best Place." The full marathon, a USATF-certified and sanctioned Boston Qualifier, runs 26.2 miles point-to-point from the rural start at TrailWest Bank in Frenchtown, along the Clark Fork River valley, through agricultural countryside, into tree-lined residential streets, and finishes on historic Beartracks Bridge (Higgins Avenue) in downtown Missoula. The course is predominantly flat with a single significant climb near the halfway point — as the organizers put it, what goes up must come down. Baseline altitude of ~3,200 feet (975m). Organized by Run Wild Missoula, a nonprofit running club. Timing: Competitive Timing. Regularly ranked among America's Best Races by Runner's World, BibRave, and RaceRaves.
Weekend Race Schedule
MARATHON
26.2MI
Sun. June 28 — 6:00 AM — TrailWest Bank, Frenchtown MT → Beartracks Bridge, Downtown Missoula
26.2 miles (42.195km) · Mostly flat · USATF certified · Boston Qualifier · World Marathon Major Qualifier · Cutoff time · 15 aid stations · Shuttle from Adams Center 4:15–5:00 AM · Wheelchair & Handcycle divisions · Limit 1,700 · Competitive Timing
HALF
MARATHON
Sun. June 28 — 7:00 AM — The Peak, Blue Mountain Road → Beartracks Bridge, Downtown Missoula
13.1 miles (21.1km) · Point-to-point · Merges with marathon course at ~mile 5-6 · 8 aid stations · Shuttle from Adams Center 5:15–6:00 AM · Wheelchair & Handcycle divisions · Competitive Timing
TONY BANOVICH
5K
Sat. June 27 — 8:00 AM — Higgins Ave, north of Beartracks Bridge · Downtown Missoula
3.1 miles (5km) · Road · University of Montana campus · Clark Fork River Trail · Limit 2,000 · Bib pickup: Fri. June 26 4–8 PM at Caras Park Pavilion · Competitive Timing
KIDS
MARATHON
Sat. June 27 — 10:00 AM — Clark Fork River Trail, in front of Boone & Crockett Club
~1.2 miles · Ages 12 & under · Finishes at Caras Park Pavilion · Cape included · Limit 550 · Bib pickup: Fri. June 26 4–8 PM or Sat. 8:30–9:30 AM · Competitive Timing
BEER RUN
(FRI.)
Fri. June 26 — Evening — Runner Expo, Caras Park · Downtown Missoula
Free fun run (no timing) · All finishers receive a free beer · Big 3 Challenge component (Beer Run + 5K + Marathon or Half) · Part of Runner Expo weekend
Marathon Start: TrailWest Bank, Frenchtown, MT — 6:00 AM, Sun. June 28. Half Marathon Start: The Peak, Blue Mountain Road — 7:00 AM. 5K Start: Higgins Ave north of Beartracks Bridge — 8:00 AM, Sat. June 27. Finish (all races): Beartracks Bridge / Higgins Avenue, Historic Downtown Missoula. Course: Point-to-point · Paved road · Mostly flat (<500ft total gain) · One significant hill ~halfway · Clark Fork River valley · Agricultural countryside → residential → downtown. Certification: USATF certified & sanctioned · Boston Marathon Qualifier · World Marathon Major Qualifier. Altitude: ~3,200 ft (975m) above sea level. PR Score: 97.26 — 3rd fastest marathon course in Montana. Aid Stations: 15 on the marathon · 8 on the half · Every 2-3 miles, then ~every mile in the last 6 miles. Shuttles: Marathon — Adams Center, 4:15–5:00 AM · Half marathon — Adams Center, 5:15–6:00 AM. Packet Pickup / Expo: Caras Park Pavilion, Fri. June 26, 4:00–8:00 PM. Race Weather (historical avg.): Mean 66°F (18°C) · High 82°F (27°C) · Low 50°F (10°C). Organizer: Run Wild Missoula (non-profit, 501c3) · runwildmissoula.org. Timing: Competitive Timing — competitivetiming.com.
Course Profile — Key Points
| Race |
Distance |
Start |
Start Time |
Notes |
| Marathon BQ USATF |
26.2 mi |
Frenchtown (TrailWest Bank) |
6:00 AM Sun. |
Flat & fast · 1 significant hill ~mi 13 · Wheelchair & Handcycle |
| Half Marathon 13.1MI |
13.1 mi |
Blue Mountain Road (The Peak) |
7:00 AM Sun. |
Merges with marathon ~mi 5–6 · Wheelchair & Handcycle |
| Tony Banovich 5K 5K |
3.1 mi |
Higgins Ave, Downtown |
8:00 AM Sat. |
UM campus loop · Clark Fork River Trail · Limit 2,000 |
| Kids Marathon KIDS |
~1.2 mi |
Clark Fork River Trail |
10:00 AM Sat. |
Ages 12 & under · Cape included · Finishes Caras Park |
| Beer Run FRI. |
Short fun run |
Caras Park Pavilion |
Fri. evening |
No timing · Free beer at finish · Big 3 Challenge |
| 2026 Missoula, Montana · June 27-28 · Frenchtown → Beartracks Bridge · Boston Qualifier · Run Wild Missoula · Competitive Timing |
Road running shoes & gear — i-Run Flat, fast paved course at altitude (~3,200ft) with one mid-race climb. Road racing flats or lightweight trainers ideal. June morning temperatures 50–66°F — light layers for the early 6 AM start. i-Run, endurance specialist. International shipping.
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![trail campagne[9]](/getfile.php/5498369.1046.uuwbnwzpswzj7p/trail+campagne%5B9%5D.jpg)