Glacier Half Marathon
June 16th, 2018 | East Glacier Village, Montana
Run this challenging, but highly rewarding half marathon just outside Glacier National Park with some seriously stunning views!
Course Details
This course is stunningly beautiful.
You'll climb for about the first 5 miles and then it's all downhill. You'll be rewarded with stunning views of Glacier National Park and the prairies at its base as you climb Looking Glass Hill.
Then you'll gaze at Two Medicine Lake during miles 5-8. (Just don't get too mesmerized... you don't want to trip.)
We'll end up on the beautiful front lawn of Glacier Park Lodge for the awards ceremony, photos, and more.
Note: Like all of our courses, the Glacier Half Marathon course is Cup Free! While we will have plenty of water and electrolyte drink on course, we do not have cups on course. Runners will either need to bring their own form of hydration or carry along a Hydrapouch or other cup.
Half Marathon Aid Stations
At our road half marathons our aid stations typically start at mile 3 and are every other mile after that with a bonus aid station around mile 12. They are not always right at the mile marker so check your race guide to find out where they will be exactly. Our 5K races typically have a single aid station midway through the race.
You can find toilets, water, Go Gnarly electrolyte drink and Honey Stinger gels at every aid station. Usually around mile 7 and 11 we'll have cut fruit and bananas.
At every aid station we'll have basic first aid supplies, and we normally station our EMT's near mile 7.
Our road half marathons and 5Ks are cup-free. That means we will not have disposable cups available for you to use. When you register you will have the option to receive a free hydrapouch with your registration or you can use you own hydration system.
Training
We are pleased to share a FREE half marathon training program customized for this course to help you prepare. We've teamed up with Active at Altitude as the Official Training Partner to offer 2 levels of training:
These programs are free and are sent via e-newsletter every 4 weeks.
Bib & Packet Pickup
Bib Pickup » You have 3 options for picking up your bib:
1. Pickup at the expo (recommended)
2. Pickup at the start line
3. Mailed 2 weeks before the race ($20 fee)
Bring Your Own Bag » In our ongoing effort to eliminate waste we encourage you to bring your own bag to hold you bib, race shirt, and any goodies you pick up at the race exp.
Race Shirts » If you're unhappy with the fit of your race shirt, or couldn't order the size you wanted we'll host a shirt exchange at the finish line on race day. Note that sizes and quantities will be limited.
The expo will be held at the Red Eagle Campground, a large camping area just south of Lower Two Medicine Lake (NW of the town of East Glacier, MT).
Expo hours are 12pm - 6pm, with packet pick up available until 7pm.
Traveling to Glacier
We want to help you make the most out of your vacation. Start making your travel plans for hotels/camping, good places to eat while you're here, driving directions, and more. We'll continue to add more details as we get closer to the event.
Lodging
The most convenient (and most fun) place to stay will be at the Vacation Races campground. This will be primitive camping but we'll provide toilets, water, and campfires. You can sleep in your tent, hammock, an RV (no hookups), or even rent a tent from us! The Vacation Races campground & race expo is located at Red Eagle Campground on the Blackfeet reservation at the south end of Lower Two Medicine Lake (off of Highway 49).
If camping isn't your thing, look for hotels or Airbnbs in East Glacier Village, Browning or St. Mary.
- East Glacier Village will fill up first as it has the most lodging options and is close to the finish line.
- Browning is the next option to consider. It's about 15 minutes away from the start and finish lines and has several lodging options.
- St. Mary is a small town north of the race course. It has some very good lodging options but sits about 45 minutes away from the starting line.
Getting Here
If you're coming from far away and need to fly, you'll likely fly into Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, MT and then drive about 1 1/2 hours to Browning. If you decide to drive the whole way, we'll provide detailed driving instructions after you register as well as other suggestions for things to see while you're here.
>>Click here for more travel and lodging details
Race Day
You'll begin race day by parking in Browning, MT. From there shuttles will take you to the start line from 4:00-5:00 am. (No parking or drop-off will be available at the start or finish lines.) We'll provide additional details including parking lots for spectators and a detailed schedule for the day.
>>Click here for a detailed race day schedule
Club Hikes
To help you make the most out of your visit to Glacier National Park, we've put together some recommended "Club Hikes". Do these with 72 hours after the race and send us a picture to earn free Vacation Races memorabilia!
>>Click here for more details
Grinnell Club
Scenic Club
Hidden Lake Club
Iceberg Club
These are gorgeous hikes, but not easy. If you want something a bit easier or something more kid-friendly, you might try visiting the Glacier Trifecta locations below.
St. Mary Lake
Trail of the Cedars
Running Eagle Falls
Package Pricing
Amazing race!
Would love to run this amazing race again!
Glacier Half Marathon Runner
Countdown to Race Day
Registration Periods
Early Bird: Oct. 6 – Dec. 20, 2017
Regular: Dec. 21, 2017 – Apr. 15, 2018Late: Apr. 16 – Jun. 15, 2018
Testimonials
By far the best race and National Park I have ever been to
The Half Twisted Runners brought 33 runners to this years event and looking to bring more in 2018. This is by far the best race and National Park I have ever been to. You dont have to take my word for it........come check it out for yourself.
Glacier Half Marathon Runner
Amazing race!
Would love to run this amazing race again!
Glacier Half Marathon Runner
Beautifully challenging course
Fun race, beautifully challenging course on an ideal day for running. The finish area on the East Glacier Hotel lawn was great. Well done to all organizers and volunteers.
Glacier Half Marathon Runner
Most beautiful place on Earth
Most beautiful place on Earth.
Glacier Half Marathon Runner
I can't wait!!!!
Made it to the Tetons in '16 with college teammates, the Smokies this year with other college teammates. And plan on Glacier (and Smokies) in '18 and Zion in '19! I can't wait!!!!
Teton & Smokies Runner
the most stunning, challenging course I've ever done.
Glacier was the most stunning, challenging course I’ve ever done. It was gorgeous. I can’t wait to get back in 2018!
Glacier Half Marathon Runner
Best vacation of my life.
My family's visit to Grand Teton has so far been the best vacation of my life. Glacier has been on my bucket list ever since. This race is 6 days after my 50th birthday so this will be an awesome birthday gift!
Grand Teton Half Marathon Runner
We had an amazing time
We had an amazing time this year in Glacier.
Glacier Half Marathon Runner