Ready for the route of a life time? It all starts right at the base of Black Butte Mountain at an elevation of about 9,200 feet. This is not a trail run. The entire race will be run on the Gravelly Range Road or Road 290 as it is listed on most maps. This road is gravel/dirt and in quite good condition. A normal car can easily drive on the road without any problems other than a few areas with potholes. There should not be any large concern about twisting an ankle because of the condition of the road. However, obvious caution should be the rule.

The Forest Service has maps of the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest. For this area, view or purchase Broom Trail Ridge and Big Horn Mountain Quadrangle in the Montana-Madison County map series. These maps are available at Shedhorn Sports in Ennis and most likely many other sporting goods stores in Montana.

The Route - Mile by Mile



First Mile
Elevation: 9,190
Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, the race starts with a short but steep uphill climb. The good part is you will be running straight towards Black Butte Mountain (elevation 10,546), a huge mountain that dominates the sky line. The road quickly tops out and is flat for about the next mile as you run past this incredible mountain.



Mile 2
Elevation: 9,370
This is a good long downhill. Within the first half mile or so, Black Butte will be mostly behind you. In front of you is a very long looking climb towards Monument Ridge, the highest point on the race course at around 9,600 feet. The prevailing winds tend to come from the South. So, if it is a windy day, you should have a nice tail wind. In 2008, the race director spooked a black bear near the road on this section of the race. It was running pell-mell (as if in training?) for the woods.



Mile 3
Elevation: 8,990
The downhill run continues to the road junction which then turns into a decent flat section before the start of a very long uphill to Monument Ridge. The country is quite open and has a vast ‘Big Sky Country’ look about it. Since it’s early in the race, you will probably not be too tired. Instead, you will be so thankful that you decided to put this marathon on your calendar. It’s fantastically beautiful.



Mile 4
Elevation: 9,120
The big uphill begins though there is a slightly flat area before the really steep climb. The country opens up and Monument Ridge is a clear goal that is very much in view. The 2008 female marathon winner, Kathy Wilkinson from Billings Montana, saw some sheep grazing on the mountain sides at this juncture and it reminded her so much of scenes from one of Ivan Doig’s novels, This House of Sky. Doig is a proud Montanan. Be aware of sheep again this year and also of the Great Pyrenees Sheepdogs who care for them.



Mile 5
Elevation: 9,350
This section is all uphill as runners do what they can to get to Monument Ridge (the highest point on the course at 9,600 feet). On top of the ridge, runners will get very long range views of the road once traveled and enormously long and steep valleys ahead just in case you needed reminding that you are running a marathon at over 9,000 feet in elevation.



Mile 6
Elevation: 9,480
This section is either flat or slightly downhill for about half a mile and then flat or slightly uphill for the rest of the mile. Runners will go through large open meadows with Black Butte behind you and very open country ahead. You are basically on top of a ridge with incredible views in all directions. At the 6.55 mile mark, team marathoners will change runners. Much of this section is at 9,600 feet in elevation which is the highest point on the route. Just after the six mile mark will be the first food/water station and probably a porta-john.



Mile 7
Elevation: 9,340
There is a steep climb of about a half mile followed by a long, flat area that skirts the top of the ridge. Runners will parallel the top part of the ridge and have excellent views of the Madison Range. Though the Madison Range is about 30 miles away on the other side of the Madison Valley, they are crystal clear on a sunny, haze-free day. Runners top out at over 9,300 feet and cross a large bowl.



Mile 8
Elevation: 9,340
On this stretch, enjoy the panoramic views that this portion of the run provides. The course still skirts along a large bowl and is mostly flat with a slight climb in the middle portion of the mile. The views to both the East and the West are fantastic.



Mile 9
Elevation: 9,300
This mile is entirely downhill. However, it provides an excellent view of a good uphill to come. The best views here are mostly to the West and the Snow Crest Mountains and the Ruby Range.



Mile 10
Elevation: 8,990
The first part of this section is half uphill and half downhill. The course seems to put a long uphill climb further down the road right into your face. There are more great views to the West of ranges across the valleys. On a clear day, you can see for a hundred miles. This mile is a really an up/down, up/down section. There will most likely be another food/water station at around the Mile 10 marker.



Mile 11
Elevation: 9,050
There is about a half mile uphill at the beginning of this mile. It then flattens out on top and is followed by a good stretch of downhill. This location offers a great view of Sphinx Mountain which is across the valley in the Madison Range. Its elevation is just under 11,000 feet and it has a ‘Matterhorn’ look about it with snow on top pretty much year round. There is also a good view of the final stretch of road to the finish line for the half marathon runners at Clover Meadows.



Mile 12
Elevation: 8,790
The start of this mile is somewhat flat and then goes down quite steeply over the second half of the mile. This is the final downhill towards Clover Meadows and the finish line for the half marathoners. Runners will descend into some tree stands which should offer some cool air assuming that it is a sunny on race day. The course will flatten out for the final push home for the half marathoners.



Mile 13
Elevation: 8,550
This mile has a slight uphill and then is all flat and goes mostly through the trees. In 2008, the race director saw three moose, lots of antelope and a black bear near this section of the course. Congratulations! You have just completed the highest half road marathon in America. You’re ready to take on the world. For full and team marathoners (for team runners this is a relay point), congratulations to you as well – you’re halfway finished with the highest road marathon in America.



Mile 14
Elevation: 8,650
This part of the course is mostly flat with some slight but quite long uphill sections. The views change a bit as runners are moving further north and the land opens up a bit more. However, there are forested areas that you will run through.


Mile 15
Elevation: 8,700
This is quite open country that is mostly flat with some slight but quite long uphill sections. The view to the east and the Madison Range is good in certain sections. The open meadows offer the best perspective on the wild flowers of the area. Hopefully our late July start of the race will mean the flowers will still be in bloom.



Mile 16
Elevation: 8,680
Again, this is open country that is mostly flat with some long and gradual up and downhill sections. If there is wind, it should be at your backs since the prevailing winds are from the south (you will remember that when you reach the turn-around point). Eric Huff, the winner of the men’s full marathon in 2009, felt this section of the course was the most difficult because of the long but gradual uphill sections.



Mile 17
Elevation: 8,640
Runners are moving due north with views of the Madison Range on the right side and the Ruby Mountains on the left side. The large meadows are often populated with antelope and elk. On one scouting trip for the race, the race director came across several large elk grazing in the meadows.



Mile 18
Elevation: 8,600
More open country here combined with running through thick stands of trees. There are some incredible views of the Madison Range to the east.



Mile 19
Elevation: 8,650
At the 19.55 mile mark, full marathon runners will turn around and run back to Clover Meadows. This will be the final relay point for team marathon runners. The terrain is much like the previous couple of miles with open meadows interspersed with stands of trees. Keep an eye out for elk and antelope and, who knows, you may spook some other animal in the tree stands. There will be a food/water station at the turn-around point.



Mile 20
Elevation at start: 8,650
Same as Mile 19 above.



Mile 21
Elevation: 8,600
Same as mile 18 above. As mentioned before, if there is a wind it will most likely be in your face for your run back to Clover Meadows. Again, this is probably the most difficult part of the course for full marathoners as the long and gradual uphills begin to wear runners down.



Mile 22
Elevation: 8,640
Same as mile 17 above. You are getting close to finishing the ‘Highest Road Marathon in America.’ After a day of climbing and descending hills, the route is essentially flat. That’s what happens when you are running so high. I mean how much higher can you geologically really go?



Mile 23
Elevation: 8,680
Same as mile 16 above. Is this where marathoners hit the wall? The race director did not hit any wall while driving the course to plot the route, but most of the runners said this was the toughest spot on the run.



Mile 24
Elevation: 8,700
Same as mile 15 above.



Mile 25
Elevation: 8,650
Same as mile 14 above.



Last Mile
Elevation: 8,600
Last Mile to the finish line at Clover Meadows. The Clover Meadows area is visible from quite some distance away, but you need to cross large meadows before you can actually see the finish line. Nevertheless, you have done it. Congratulations on completing the Highest Road Marathon in America!!



The Finish Line



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