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Built on bad decisions in Boulder, CO.

The Rut Mountain Runs 28K

Draft Listing
  1. The Rut Mountain Runs
  2. 2026 Edition

All the gnarliest terrain of the 50K in a shorter, punchier mountain challenge

Directions
Register

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All trail races in Montana→
September 12, 2026
Saturday 7:20am MDT start
Big Sky, MT
United States
17.4 miles
Loop Course
7,800 ft
Elevation Gain
Open Registration
No lottery
No Service Requirement
Does not require trail or volunteer work
No Qualifier
No qualifier race required
Very Challenging
Experienced ultrarunners
Links
WebsiteInstagramFacebook
2013
Established
900
Field Size

What Makes It Great

A compact but ferocious mountain course that packs maximum vertical and technical terrain into 28 kilometers. It traverses the same exposed and rugged ridgelines as the 50K — including the technical ascent and traverse of Headwaters Ridge and the ascent and descent of Lone Peak — in a shorter, punchier format. The shorter distance belies its severity: this is a demanding full mountain running experience with rockfall hazard and serious exposure. Mandatory gear required.

Difficulty

Advanced
8/10

Experienced ultrarunners

Technical Terrain
Steep Climbing
Technical Descent
High Altitude
Exposed Ridgeline
Variable Weather

Race Highlights

Don't let the distance fool you
The 28K packs Headwaters Ridge and Lone Peak into 17.6 miles — as technically demanding as many 50Ks
Lone Peak summit traverse
Ascends and descends Lone Peak at 11,166 ft via the same exposed ridgelines as the 50K
Rockfall hazard
Exposed technical sections with real rockfall hazard; mandatory gear includes space blanket and waterproof jacket
Cash prizes for elites
$3,000/$1,000/$500 for top 3 men and women; podium ceremony with locally designed awards

Finish Awards

Finisher Medal
Unique finishers award for all 28K finishers.
Cash Prizes
$3,000/$1,000/$500 for top 3 men and women. $250 for non-binary category winner.

The Rut Mountain Runs 28K

Big Sky, MT, United StatesSeptember 12, 2026

September 12, 2026
Course map for The Rut Mountain Runs 28K
DistDistance17.4 mi
GainElevation Gain7,800 ft
LimitCutoff9.3333333333333333 h
Steep ClimbingTechnical DescentHigh AltitudeExposed RidgelineVariable Weather

Entry Timeline

Race DaySeptember 12, 2026

Lottery

This event uses open registration - no lottery entry required.

Qualifier

This event does not require a qualifier for entry.

Service Requirement

This race does not have a service requirement for entry.
17.4 mi
Distance
Loop
Route
9h20m
Cutoff Time
8,904 ft
Average Elevation
7,800 ft
Total Ascent
7,800 ft
Total Descent
11,138 ft
High Point
7,523 ft
Low Point
Course map
Launch Course Explorer

Aid Stations

LocationMileElevation
Start
Start
0.07,536 ft
Headwaters Aid Station
Aid Station
3.98,996 ft
Swiftcurrent Aid Station
Aid Station
9.39,167 ft
Summit Aid Station (Water Only)
Aid Station
10.311,138 ft
Moosetracks Aid Station
Aid Station
14.48,228 ft
Finish
Finish
17.47,523 ft

Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.

No on-site camping available

Crew Access Points

Pacer Rules

No Pacers Allowed

Crew Rules

No Crew Allowed
Weather
High Altitude

Ascends to the summit area of Lone Peak at 11,166 ft, with significant time above 9,000 ft.

Lightning/Thunderstorm Risk

Course traverses exposed alpine ridgelines; afternoon thunderstorms are common in September.

Rapid Weather Changes

Mandatory gear (waterproof jacket, space blanket, 16oz water) required due to rapidly changing mountain conditions.

Gear Rules

Trekking poles allowed

Required Gear

No required gear specified

Recommended Gear

No recommended gear specified

Videos from other The Rut Mountain Runs events

Experience The Rut, Episode 1 – Epic Montana
Experience The Rut, Episode 1 – Epic Montana
The Rut Mountain Runs 50K
Epic Montana•2024
Experience The Rut, Episode 2 – Epic Montana
Experience The Rut, Episode 2 – Epic Montana
The Rut Mountain Runs 50K
Epic Montana•2024
The Rut 50K In 4 Minutes
The Rut 50K In 4 Minutes
The Rut Mountain Runs 50K
Semi-Rad•2024

Race reports from other The Rut Mountain Runs events

Race Report: The Rut Mountain Runs 50KThe Rut Mountain Runs 50K
By Greg Marshall / Treeline Endurance • 2022
Race Recap: The Rut Mountain RunThe Rut Mountain Runs 50K
By KÜHL Born in the Mountains • 2024

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Register•September 12, 2026