Distance: marathon
http://www.twobearmarathon.org/
I have run this race twice, 2006 and 2007. It is hands down the finest marathon course I have ever run. The first 15 miles is trail and gravel roads through the Stillwater National Forest located outside Whitefish, MT. The remainder of the course follows around Whitefish Lake. Everything about the race is great, time of year, location, race personnel, course, after race party, nice tech race shirts and handsome finisher’s awards. If you are looking for a fun and beautiful race course that is professionally put together, try the TwoBear.
****reviewed by a Helena Running Club guest reveiwer****
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Meeteetse Absaroka Challenge Mountain Run
Distances: 5k, 10k, 15k
http://www.meetrec.org/race/raceb.html
I did the 15k and it was a tough race! All 3 races start at the same time and place. The 5k heads up a jeep road and then turns off and makes a loop back to the start/finish. The 10k goes all the way up to the end of the jeep road then turns around and returns the same way. The 15k goes up the jeep road and then just continues. From the end of the jeep road you are pretty much just heading cross-country for the rest of the race. After the jeep road you head up a steep hill to a ridge, along the ridge, then it's downhill to the finish. The downhill is probably the hardest part because it's so steep you can't run, you just have to survive. The race website advises 15k runners to wear gloves. I was fine without gloves, but a pair of low gaiters to keep the rocks out of my shoes on the downhills would have been very welcome. The race was well-marked but nonetheless, the leaders still managed to get off-course, so I would not recommend the 15k for anyone new to trail running. Race directors did a great job providing aid stations (there were 5). I really appreciated having my hands free of a water bottle on those hills. Barbeque at the end was also welcome because it took quite awhile for everyone to trickle in.
http://www.meetrec.org/race/raceb.html
I did the 15k and it was a tough race! All 3 races start at the same time and place. The 5k heads up a jeep road and then turns off and makes a loop back to the start/finish. The 10k goes all the way up to the end of the jeep road then turns around and returns the same way. The 15k goes up the jeep road and then just continues. From the end of the jeep road you are pretty much just heading cross-country for the rest of the race. After the jeep road you head up a steep hill to a ridge, along the ridge, then it's downhill to the finish. The downhill is probably the hardest part because it's so steep you can't run, you just have to survive. The race website advises 15k runners to wear gloves. I was fine without gloves, but a pair of low gaiters to keep the rocks out of my shoes on the downhills would have been very welcome. The race was well-marked but nonetheless, the leaders still managed to get off-course, so I would not recommend the 15k for anyone new to trail running. Race directors did a great job providing aid stations (there were 5). I really appreciated having my hands free of a water bottle on those hills. Barbeque at the end was also welcome because it took quite awhile for everyone to trickle in.
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