Glacier Half Marathon
June 27, 2020
East Glacier Village, MT
Run this challenging, but highly rewarding half marathon just outside Glacier National Park with seriously stunning views! Come visit "the Alps of America"!
Quick Info
Race Details
Date: June 27, 2020
Location: East Glacier Village, MT
Start Time: 6:00 am – 10:00 am
Weather: 42°–69°F
Course Type: Point-to-point
Stroller friendly? Yes
Disability friendly? Yes
Dogs allowed? No
Expo
June 26, 2020, 1pm–6pm
Red Eagle Campground (map)
Bib & Packet Pickup
Expo pickup recommended.
Other options.
Registration Periods & Pricing
Early: $109 Sep. 6 - Nov. 10
Regular: $129 Nov. 11 - April 5, 2020
Late: $149 April 6, 2020 - Race Expo
Refund Policy
Refunds available during:
*Early Registration: yes (no fee)
*Regular Registration: yes ($10 fee). *Late Registration: NO
*Refunds not available due to weather
Deferral, Race Transfer, and Bib Transfer available during all registration periods ($20 fee).
Travel & Other Info
Fly Into
Glacier Park Int'l Airport (FCA) - 90 minute drive
Directions
Race Expo
Runner Parking
Spectator Parking
Lodging
Official VR Campground - $75 (map)
East Glacier
Browning
St. Mary
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.
Experience Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is a 1,583-sq.-mi. wilderness area in Montana's Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border. It's crossed by the mountainous Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Among more than 700 miles of hiking trails, it has a route to photogenic Hidden Lake. Other activities include backpacking, cycling and camping. Diverse wildlife ranges from mountain goats to grizzly bears.
Video Courtesy of Amazing Places on Our Planet
Package Pricing
SIGN UP
REGISTRATION PERIODS
Early: $109 - Sep. 6 – Nov. 10
Regular: $129 - Nov. 11 – Apr. 5
Late: $149 - Apr. 6 – Race Expo
Blackfeet Tribe
Members receive a discount to run the Glacier Half Marathon. If you are a member of the Blackfeet Tribe, please contact Stephanie Vielle in the Blackfeet Planning Office before registering for this event.
*There is a limited number of entries to each race, and this event may sell out. If the event is sold out, registration will close regardless of registration period.
"Glacier had been high up on both our priority lists. [...] Right before the race began, the Blackfeet sang us an encouraging song and said a prayer. It was such a beautiful way to start a race and what would be an amazing adventure!
It was surreal to watch the sun rise and unveil the area surrounding GNP. The route was snaked with gorgeous views. It rained on us almost the entire time, which was like a cleansing of spirit.
Work and life can get so busy. When I run, my mind is quiet and my runners high just takes me on and on. I run for that reason. This was a truly great experience. [...] Great way to combine the things you love most into one trip."
Definitely a highlight so far this year
Standing in the middle of nowhere at 5 AM with almost 2000 other runners, watching the sky turn pink and waiting for this run to start, was definitely a highlight so far this year. Hope to do it again.
Glacier Half Marathon Runner
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 1pm - 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 Official 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 Official 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). Price is $75 for the weekend (June 25-28).
*Please note that runners staying at the VR Campground will still need to drive to the parking area in Browning and take the shuttle to the start line of the race.
If camping isn't your thing, look for hotels or Airbnbs in East Glacier Village, Browning or St. Mary.
HEADS UP!
Lodging is sparse on the east side of Glacier National Park. We recommend securing lodging quickly--like now--even before registering for the race (unless you plan to camp at the Vacation Races campground which you may reserve during during registration).
- 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.
In particular we recommend the Glacier Peaks Casino and the East Glacier Lodge.
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.) Please see details on runner parking, and spectator information.
>>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
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
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
I want to say how much I enjoyed both the Yellowstone and Glacier half marathons I ran last year, and if my knee starts cooperating I will participate in the Teton half this summer. They were both very well organized and had beautiful courses.
Glacier Half Marathon runner
You never disappoint
Amazing race. Bravo Vacation Races you never disappoint
Best race of my life!
I just wanted to say this was my first time doing a Vacation Race. Everything from the expo to the course to the extra medallion challenges was Amazing! Thank you to all the volunteers, race expo workers, race directors and timers! I am a race timer myself and have worked a zillion races and you all did such an amazing job! I'm so happy we chose Glacier National Park. It was the best trip and best race of my life!! Thank you all so very much! We are already choosing a Vacation Race for Next Year!😎
This was the hardest and most rewarding race I have done in my entire life. It felt like we were running in the clouds. I literally felt my mother presence when I got to the top of the mountain and shed a tear. Thank you for putting on an amazing race. We will be back next year for sure.
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
