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Event Overview

Montana’s oldest trail ultra (established 1989). Held annually on the first Saturday in August in the remote, rugged, and wild Elkhorn Mountains near Helena, Montana.

All three distances (50M, 50k, 13.1M) feature spectacular Montana scenery, breathtaking climbs, technical descents, challenging single track trail, primitive roads, and cold, clear creeks to splash through. Not one step on pavement.

All portions of the course are remote. You may encounter horseback riders, bike riders, or hikers (and deer, elk, moose, and bear), and all trails are for non-motorized use only. The primitive road portions of the 50 mile and 50k courses may be used by ATV and 4WD vehicles, but access is still very difficult.

Our race has the low-key, friendly, laid-back atmosphere that is typical of Montana. We don’t have and aren’t interested in the hype of some of today’s large ultramarathon events. Our goal is to provide participants with memories of Montana backcountry mountain running.

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Event Sponsors

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Registration

Race registration is through Ultra Signup. Click the button below to register:

We allow 250 total to register for the 50 mile, 50K, and 13.1 mile events on a first come, first served basis. Registration closes at midnight the Sunday before the race.

Entry fees

Race	Before March 31	After March 31	After May 31
50 Mile	$115	$130	$155
50 KM	$95	$115	$130
13.1 Mile	$55	$65	$80

*Race fee does not include applicable taxes or the Ultrasignup processing fee

The Elkhorn Endurance Runs entry fee includes well‑stocked aid stations during the race, race SWAG, post‑race food and drinks at the finish, and raffles/awards; ultra finishers also receive a hand‑drawn Elkhorn Mountain art print by a local runner.

Refund & Rollover Policies

Through March 31, 80% of the entry fee is refundable and wholly roll-overable.

Through June 30, 50% of the entry fee is refundable and wholly roll-overable.

Through July 25, 30% of the entry fee is refundable and wholly roll-overable. No refunds or rollovers after July 25.

There is a $10 roll over fee, plus any difference in entry fee if you move up in distance. There is no refund for rolling over and moving down in distance. Roll overs are good only for the next year’s race. While we expect to continue this event in subsequent years, it is not guaranteed. If you choose to rollover your entry and there is no event the following year, you are not entitled to a refund.

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Timeline

1st Friday in August

• 4-7 pm: Packet Pickup for 50 Mile / 50 KM at the Montana City Volunteer Fire Department, Station 1
  • Course Briefings – 4:15 pm, 5:15 pm and 6:15 pm

1st Saturday in August

All races start and finish at the Willard Creek Trailhead at the end of Forest Service Road 4014. Allow at least 45 minutes driving time from Helena, and be sure to check-in 15 minutes before the race starts.

• 4:30 – 4:40 am: 50-mile mandatory runner check-in at starting area. Any runner that does not check in on race morning will not be considered an official participant and will not be eligible for awards.
• 5:00 am: 50-mile race start
  
  
• 6:30 – 6:50 am: 50K mandatory runner check-in at starting area. Any runner that does not check in on race morning will not be considered an official participant and will not be eligible for awards.
• 7:00 am: 50K race start
  
  
• 7:15 – 7:45 am: 13.1 Mile packet pick up
• 7:45 am: 13.1 Mile brief mandatory course briefing
• 8:00 am: 13.1 Mile race start
  
  
• 11:00 am – 10:00 pm: FINISH LINE FESTIVITIES Awards will be handed out at various times during the day, shortly after all award winners finish a particular race. There will be food and beverages available for finishers.

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FAQs

Can I pick up my packet race morning?
If you can’t make the Friday pre-race meeting (4-7 at Montana City Fire, briefings on the 15 minute hand), packet pick up starts on race day at 4:30 am.

Drop Bags?
Only at Town of Elkhorn for the 50 milers. You must bring you drop bags to the Friday pre-race meeting, that is your only option.

Required gear?
We’re not checking. We’ve had extreme heat and snow at Elkhorn, sometimes on the same day. Be prepared with warm clothes, plenty of water storage, food, headlamp, and navigation.

Pacers?
Generally, no. If you are over 60 or have a special reason for wanting one, we’d consider it. Definitely no muling, the pacer must be self-sufficient, and they cannot separate from their runner. We have systems in place to account for runner safety throughout this remote, backcountry race, but not if the pacer separates from their runner. Half of our aid stations are supplied by horsepack or hikers, and we don’t want to haul in supplies for pacers!

Cut off times?

Aid Station	50 mi	50 km	13.1 mi	Cutoff Time
Elk Park	6.1 mi	–	–	–
Tizer Lake	13 mi	–	–	–
Elkhorn Town	20 mi	–	–	11:30 AM
Skyline Mine	26 mi	–	–	2:15 PM
Guard Station	32 mi	12.8 mi	–	4:00 PM
Elk Park	36.6 mi	18 mi	–	5:30 PM
Tepee Creek	40.1 mi	21.5 mi	2.6 mi	7:00 PM
McClellan Creek	46 mi	28 mi	8.8 mi	8:45 PM

10:00 PM Finish line cut off time for all events. Runners crossing the finish line after 10:00 will not be considered official finishers.

Pacers?
Generally, no. If you are over 60 or have a special reason for wanting one, we’d consider it. Definitely no muling, the pacer must be self-sufficient, and they cannot separate from their runner. We have systems in place to account for runner safety throughout this remote, backcountry race, but not if the pacer separates from their runner. Half of our aid stations are supplied by horsepack or hikers, and we don’t want to haul in supplies for pacers!

Where can I see the runners during the race?
You can see all runners at the start/finish line. There are no other accessible locations to view the 50K or 13.1 mile runners unless you have a high-profile 4-wheel-drive vehicle you’re willing to damage.

50 mile runners pass through the Town of Elkhorn Aid Station at mile 20 – the only other spot along the course where crews can see them. The Town of Elkhorn offers a glimpse of Montana history, but please remember that most of the area is private property.

How do I get to the start/finish area at Willard Creek Trailhead?

• Directions
• Located at the end of Forest Service Road 4014, off of Interstate-15 between Montana City and Clancy (46.4401, -111.8944).
• Routes are passable by any type of vehicle.  The route through Clancy is probably the easiest to navigate if you are not familiar with the area, and a little quicker.
• Please observe speed limit signs, and watch for wildlife crossing.
• Since it will be very dark driving to the start on race morning, we encourage 50 mile runners to find the Start/Finish area prior to race morning.
• DO NOT BLOCK ACCESS ON WILLARD CREEK ROAD. Any vehicle blocking the road will be towed at your expense.

Where should I stay?

• Limited primitive camping (no power, no potable water, etc.) is available at the Start/Finish area on a first come, first served basis. Please, tent camping or pickup campers at the start/finish area only.  Due to limited space, we do not allow any RV’s, tow behind campers, or tow behind trailers of any kind on the road up to the trailhead (Forest Service Road 4014, last 1.6 miles up to the start/finish area).
• Jorgenson’s Inn and Suites is located in Helena and offers easy access to the Interstate.  Phone 406-442-1770 or 406-449-0155. Thank you Jorgenson’s for your support!
• The Elkhorn Fitness Retreat is located approximately 7.5 miles (via Strawberry Mountain road) from the Start/Finish area and has a limited number of rooms available.  Call Jim Pomeroy at 406-439-3094 or Bobbi Pomeroy at 406-439-3106. These rooms usually fill up quickly.  There is also tent camping available for a nominal fee.
• Most major motel chains can be found in Helena as well.