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Built on bad decisions in Boulder, CO.

The Rut Mountain Runs 50K

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

A savage Montana mountain loop over the summit of Lone Peak — not your average 50K

Directions
Register

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All trail races in Montana→
September 13, 2026
Sunday 6:00am MDT start
Big Sky, MT
United States
31.1 miles
Loop Course
10,500 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
825
Field Size

What Makes It Great

One of North America's most technically demanding 50Ks, set entirely within Big Sky Resort's Lone Peak massif in Montana. The course loops around and over Lone Peak, including the ascent and traverse of Headwaters Ridge and the full ascent and descent of Lone Peak's summit at 11,166 ft. Critical sections are extremely steep and technical with exposed terrain and rockfall hazard — organizers note that a fall in these sections could result in injury or death. The 6 AM pre-dawn start, mandatory gear, and strict cutoffs reflect the mountain-serious character of the race.

Difficulty

Advanced
8/10

Experienced ultrarunners

Technical Terrain
Steep Climbing
Technical Descent
High Altitude
Exposed Ridgeline
Night Running
Variable Weather
Strict Cutoffs

Race Highlights

Lone Peak at 11,166 ft
Full ascent and descent of Lone Peak, including the exposed Headwaters Ridge traverse with rockfall hazard
One of North America's hardest 50Ks
Technical ridgelines, 10,500 ft of climbing, and sections where a fall 'could result in injury or death'
~4,500 runners in 2025
One of the largest trail running weekends in North America, drawing runners from across the world to Big Sky, Montana
Cash prizes and elite field
$3,000 to the top overall men's and women's finisher; podium ceremony with locally designed awards
Founded 2013 by pro trail runners
Mike Foote and Mike Wolfe built the race to capture the energy of world-class mountain running in their Montana backyard
Sells out fast every year
2026 registration sold out shortly after opening; one of the most sought-after 50K bibs in North America

Finish Awards

Finisher Medal
Unique finishers award for all 50K finishers.
Cash Prizes
$3,000/$1,000/$500 for top 3 men and women. $250 for non-binary category winner.

The Rut Mountain Runs 50K

Big Sky, MT, United StatesSeptember 13, 2026

September 13, 2026
Course map for The Rut Mountain Runs 50K
DistDistance31.1 mi
GainElevation Gain10,500 ft
LimitCutoff13 h
Steep ClimbingTechnical DescentHigh AltitudeExposed RidgelineNight RunningVariable WeatherStrict Cutoffs

Entry Timeline

Race DaySeptember 13, 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.
31.1 mi
Distance
Loop
Route
13h
Cutoff Time
8,438 ft
Average Elevation
10,500 ft
Total Ascent
10,500 ft
Total Descent
10,755 ft
High Point
7,283 ft
Low Point
Course map
Launch Course Explorer

Aid Stations

LocationMileElevation
Start
Start
0.07,543 ft
Moonlight #1 Aid Station
Aid Station
6.28,002 ft
Moonlight #2 Aid Station
Aid Station
10.78,031 ft
Swiftcurrent Aid Station
Aid Station
18.49,157 ft
Summit Aid Station
Aid Station
19.411,138 ft
Shedhorn Aid Station (Hydration Only)
Aid Station
22.09,045 ft
Andesite Aid Station
Aid Station
25.68,652 ft
Finish
Finish
31.17,543 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

Significant time above 9,000 ft with summit finish area at 11,166 ft; start area at 7,534 ft.

Lightning/Thunderstorm Risk

Traverses exposed alpine ridgelines; afternoon thunderstorms common in September. Early wave starts aim to clear the most exposed terrain before afternoon.

Cold/Hypothermia Risk

6 AM pre-dawn start in September at altitude; temperatures can be near or below freezing. Mandatory waterproof jacket and space blanket required.

Rapid Weather Changes

Mountain weather can change rapidly. Race organizers have the right to reroute or stop the race if conditions become dangerous.

Gear Rules

Trekking poles allowed

Required Gear

No required gear specified

Recommended Gear

No recommended gear specified

Featured Videos

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

Race Reports

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

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Register•September 13, 2026