The 2026 Yellowstone Half Marathon & 5K took place on Friday–Saturday, June 12–13 in West Yellowstone, Montana, on the edge of the world's first National Park. Organized by Vacation Races, this annual trail race sends runners through the Custer Gallatin National Forest on technical dirt roads, with gains of +1,267 feet of elevation, a crossing of the South Fork Madison River bridge at mile 5, and the very real chance of a wildlife encounter. The course starts and finishes on Old Airport Road near Iris Street, running the first mile through town before diving into forest service roads. Mile 6 is the most challenging: a steady 200-foot climb into dense lodgepole pine. All events are cup-free — runners carry their own reusable cups or hydration systems. The 5K takes place Friday evening (June 12) and serves as the opener for Grand Quad challengers. The Yellowstone Half Marathon pairs with the Grand Teton Half Marathon & 5K (June 5–6, 2026) to form the Grand Quad Challenge — eight medals for completing all four events across two consecutive weekends.
Half
Marathon
13.1 mi
7:00 AM
🏆 Half Marathon 13.1 mi — Start 7:00 AM (MT) · Sat. June 13
Start 7:00 AM · 13.1 miles (21.1 km) · +1,267 ft / -1,263 ft elevation · 4.5-hour cutoff (18.5 min/mi pace) · Dirt roads + technical trail · Mile 5: South Fork Madison River bridge · Mile 6: hardest climb (+200 ft) · ~6 aid stations (mi 3, 5, 7, 8.5, 10.25, 11.5) · Medic at mi 7 · Cup-free · Finisher medal + race shirt
5K
Fri. June 12
Evening
5K — Friday evening, June 12, 2026
Evening start Fri. June 12 · Iris St / Yellowstone Ave area · First mile through town then onto forest service road · One aid station (midway) · Cup-free · Packet pickup at race expo until just before start · Same bib used for both races if running the Yellowstone Double
Grand Quad
Challenge
Grand Quad Challenge — 4 races · 2 weekends · 8 medals
Wk 1: Grand Teton 5K (June 4) + Grand Teton Half Marathon (June 5) · Wk 2: Yellowstone 5K (June 12) + Yellowstone Half Marathon (June 13) · All four races one week apart in Wyoming & Montana · 8 finisher medals · Special challenge swag (hat, challenge tee, or beach hoodie) · Yellowstone Double = both Yellowstone races in 24 hrs
Location: Old Airport Road / Iris Street, West Yellowstone, MT 59758 · Custer Gallatin National Forest · ~24 miles from Yellowstone National Park boundaries. Dates: Fri. June 12 (5K + expo) · Sat. June 13 (Half Marathon). Half Marathon start: 7:00 AM MT · Cutoff: 4.5 hours. Elevation: +1,267 ft / -1,263 ft · ~6,000 ft above sea level. Course: Miles 0–3: loop through town + trail · Miles 3–4: flat, straight toward hills · Mile 5: South Fork Madison River bridge · Mile 6: steepest climb (+200 ft) · Miles 7–13.1: descent + return to finish. Aid stations: ~6 stations (mi 3, 5, 7, 8.5, 10.25, 11.5) · Water + Gnarly Hydrate + Honey Stinger gels + bathrooms · Medic at mi 7 · Cup-free event. Expo / Packet pickup: Fri. June 12, 12:00–5:00 PM · Old Airport Road lot off Iris Street. Perks: Finisher medal · Race shirt · Free race photos · Post-race awards ceremony · Shuttle service. Organizer: Vacation Races · vacationraces.com. Timing: Laurelt. Getting there: West Yellowstone Regional Airport (WYS) · Jackson Hole Airport (JAC, ~80 mi) · Drive US-191 N from Jackson.
Event Overview
| Event | Distance | Start · Notes |
|---|
| Half Marathon 13.1 MI TRAIL | 13.1 mi · +1,267 ft | 7:00 AM Sat · 4.5 hr cutoff · Cup-free |
| 5K 5K | 3.1 mi | Fri. eve June 12 · Town + trail · Cup-free |
| Yellowstone Double DOUBLE | 5K + 13.1 mi | Both races, one bib · 24 hrs |
| Grand Quad Challenge GRAND QUAD | 4 races · 2 weekends | 8 medals · GT + Yellowstone combo |
|
🌋 YELLOWSTONE West Yellowstone, MT · Custer Gallatin NF · ~6,000 ft elevation · Wildlife possible · Cup-free · Vacation Races · Laurelt
|
Trail shoes & running gear — i-Run
Technical dirt roads, loose rocks, roots, and +1,267 ft of elevation in the Custer Gallatin National Forest demand serious trail shoes. Salomon, Hoka, La Sportiva, Altra, or Inov-8 — i-Run, the running specialist. International shipping.
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![trail campagne[83]](/getfile.php/5496429.1046.lwwznu77tsaais/trail+campagne%5B83%5D.jpg)