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Built on bad decisions in Boulder, CO.

The Rut Mountain Runs Lone Peak VK

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

An all-uphill charge to the summit of Lone Peak through exposed technical ridgelines

Directions
Register

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All trail races in Montana→
September 11, 2026
Friday 9:00am MDT start
Big Sky, MT
United States
2.9 miles
Point to Point Course
3,630 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
375
Field Size

What Makes It Great

An all-uphill charge from Big Sky Resort's base at 7,534 ft to the summit of Lone Peak at 11,166 ft, gaining 3,632 vertical feet in just 2.8 miles. The first half follows ski runs to the top of the Swiftcurrent lift; the second half along Bonecrusher and Alto Ridges to the summit is extremely steep and technical with exposed sections and rockfall hazard. Runners descend via the Lone Peak Tram and Explorer Gondola.

Difficulty

Advanced
7/10

Experienced ultrarunners

Technical Terrain
Steep Climbing
Exposed Ridgeline
High Altitude
Variable Weather

Race Highlights

11,166 ft summit finish
One of the highest VK finish lines in North America, atop Lone Peak with panoramic Montana views
3,632 ft in 2.8 miles
An average grade of roughly 24% — relentlessly steep from start to summit
Bonecrusher Ridge
The upper half along Bonecrusher and Alto Ridges is extremely steep, exposed, and carries active rockfall hazard
Tram descent included
Finishers ride the Lone Peak Tram and Explorer Gondola back to the base — a fitting reward after the grind

Finish Awards

Finisher Award
Unique finishers award for all VK finishers.
Cash Prizes
$1,000/$500/$250 for top 3 men and women. $100 for non-binary category winner. Jorts Division: custom denim vests for fastest man, woman, and non-binary finisher in cutoff jeans.

The Rut Mountain Runs Lone Peak VK

Big Sky, MT, United StatesSeptember 11, 2026

September 11, 2026
Course map for The Rut Mountain Runs Lone Peak VK
DistDistance2.9 mi
GainElevation Gain3,630 ft
LimitCutoff2.5 h
Steep ClimbingExposed RidgelineHigh AltitudeVariable Weather

Entry Timeline

Race DaySeptember 11, 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.
2.9 mi
Distance
Point to Point
Route
2h30m
Cutoff Time
9,203 ft
Average Elevation
3,630 ft
Total Ascent
0
11,142 ft
High Point
7,539 ft
Low Point
Course map
Launch Course Explorer

Aid Stations

LocationMileElevation
Start
Start
0.07,539 ft
Finish
Finish
2.811,142 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

Summit at 11,166 ft; the final mile is above 10,000 ft in thin alpine air.

Rapid Weather Changes

Mountain weather can change rapidly; in 2024 race day brought snow and below-freezing temps at the summit. Inclement weather kit (waterproof jacket + space blanket) required when conditions warrant.

Lightning/Thunderstorm Risk

Fully exposed on Bonecrusher and Alto Ridges; a mass 9 AM start aims to get runners off the ridgeline before afternoon storms build.

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 11, 2026