A Three Day Montana Mountain Running Celebration
Overview
The Rut is a three–day mountain running celebration in Big Sky, Montana, with courses that climb into real alpine terrain. Expect airy ridgelines, fast descents, and the thrill of topping out near the iconic summit of Lone Peak before racing back to the village energy. It is big, beautiful country with big, beautiful effort to match.
Choose your challenge: a lung–punching VK, quad–testing 11K and 21K, the technical 28K and the legendary 50K. Wave starts keep the flow clean, aid stations are lively, and the finish line scene feels like a mountain festival with friends you just met. The 2025 edition is sold out, which tells you everything about the stoke this weekend brings.
Friday, September 12, 2025
Registration
Opens
Aug 29, 2025, 11:47 PM
Registration Fee
$75-$380
Official race details:
Logistics
Fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), then drive approximately 45 minutes to Big Sky along US-191 through the Gallatin River Canyon. Big Sky offers shuttles and an in-town bus for easy movement between Meadow and Mountain Villages. Yellowstone National Park is about an hour away for pre or post-race adventures
Driving Directions
Start and finish in the Big Sky Resort Mountain Village Plaza: 50 Big Sky Resort Road, Big Sky, MT 59716.
Parking
Follow Big Sky Resort event signage for village parking. Allow extra time during peak hours and consider shuttle options to reduce congestion. Spectators using lifts must purchase scenic lift tickets and should plan for queuing.
Lodging
Big Sky Resort offers discounted runner rates at on-site properties such as the Huntley Lodge, steps from the start and finish. Camping is not permitted on resort property; numerous Forest Service campgrounds along the Gallatin River can be reserved via recreation.gov.
Policies
Cancelations & Deferrals
Kids
The free Runt Run 1K welcomes kids in the base area with a special finisher award and a big crowd. Minimum race age for VK, 28K, and 50K is 16 years old. Age–group awards span youth through 80+.
Volunteers
Charity & Beneficiary
The Rut highlights and partners with community and environmental groups, including Inclusive Outdoors Project, Big Sky SNO, and Protect Our Winters. The event reserves 100 entry spots for athletes from historically marginalized groups with an application and scholarship process, and works with Big Sky SNO to reduce event waste through education and sorting.
Land Acknowledgement
Big Sky sits on the traditional homelands of the Apsáalooke (Crow), Shoshone, and Salish peoples. The Runt Run extends the spirit of respect and celebration to the youngest members of our running community.
About
The Rut Mountain Runs
The Rut Mountain Runs bring the thrill of global-class trail racing to the wild heart of Montana. Founded by ultrarunners Mike Foote and Mike Wolfe, this weekend festival of mountain running combines serious alpine adventure with a playful, community-first spirit. Lone Peak at Big Sky Resort provides a rugged and dramatic backdrop where runners test their grit on steep ridges, exposed alpine sections, and wild terrain, while spectators and volunteers bring unmatched energy to the experience.
The Rut is not just about racing; it’s about celebration. Expect elk bugles at the start line, free mullets at the finish, tattoos for the bold, and prize money in $1 bills. With distances from the VK to the 50K, plus the Trifecta challenge for those who want it all, there’s something here for every mountain runner. More than 4,500 runners and thousands of spectators now gather each year, making The Rut one of North America’s most iconic and electric trail running weekends.
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