Yellowstone Half Marathon & 5K
June 11-12, 2021
West Yellowstone, MT
Quick Info
Race Details
Date: June 11-12, 2021
Location: West Yellowstone, MT
Weather: 35° – 67°F
Half Marathon
Start Time: 7:00 am on June 12
Course Type: Loop
Stroller friendly? No
Dogs allowed? No
5K & Fun Run
5K Start Time: 7:00 pm on June 11
Course Type: Loop
Stroller friendly? No
Dogs allowed? No
Race Expo
June 11, 2021, 11am–6pm
Old Airport Rd. - West Yellowstone, MT
Bib & Packet Pickup
Expo pickup recommended. Other options
Registration Periods & Pricing
Early: $113 Aug. 14 – Nov. 16
Regular: $134 Nov. 16 – Feb. 14
Late: $155 Feb. 15 – Race Expo
Refund Policy
Refunds available during:
•Early Registration: yes ($10 fee)
•Regular Registration: yes ($10 fee).
•Late Registration: NO
*Refunds not available due to weather
Deferral, Race Transfer, and Bib Transfer any time through the race expo ($20 fee). Full policy details.
Want to use a deferred credit?
Login to RunSignup, click Deferrals, Complete Deferments
Travel & Other Info
Fly Into
West Yellowstone (WYS) - 40 min.
Bozeman (BZN) - 1 hr. 42 min.
Jackson (JAC) - 2 hrs. 45 min.
Idaho Falls (IDA) - 1 hr. 43 min.
Driving Directions: To the expo location
Lodging
We recommend looking for lodging in West Yellowstone, MT
This is what memories are made of!
The Park
If you've never been to Yellowstone National Park, get ready. It's going to blow your mind. There's nothing like it anywhere else in the world.
Pine trees. Geysers. Canyons. Waterfalls. Hot springs. Hot pots. Paint pots. Buffalo. Elk. Eagles. Wolves. Grizzly bears. Scenic overlooks. Hiking trails. Fresh air. Freedom.
The Race
While you're here, come enjoy this gorgeous half marathon.
The Yellowstone Half Marathon takes place in the town of West Yellowstone, MT, just outside the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It's a stunning course with breathtaking views of the Gallatin National Forest, huge gulps of crisp fresh air, and maybe even some wildlife.
The race starts at 7 AM sharp with cutoff at 11 AM. That provides runners (and even walkers) 4 full hours to take in the scenery and make your way to the finish line.
To be clear, this race doesn't take place inside the National Park. (It's difficult to get permission to conduct private business activities on national land, and rightly so.) Having said that, this is as close to the park as it gets.
Run the race. Then discover Yellowstone!
The Course
The majority of the race takes place on a dirt road and trail in Gallatin National Forest immediately southwest of West Yellowstone, MT. (If there's rain, there could be puddles so be prepared for that possibility.)
We'll cross a beautiful bridge over the South Fork Madison River, and into the forest for a bit of a climb (about 200 feet). If you have to use bear spray it will be in this section (just kidding, but not really).
The course gets a bit technical in places with some rocks and a less defined path. (The path is clearly marked, but if you're in front you'll be running through some weeds.)
>>View more half marathon course details here
Yellowstone Half Marathon Course
Elevation Profile
The course starts flat but has a major and a minor hill that you'll need to train for. We'll gain about 200 feet of elevation in mile 6 and a 40-50 foot gain in mile 11. Miles 8 and 12 have some downhill.
Aid Stations
Expect about 6 aid stations on the course at around mile 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 12. A medic will be stationed typically at the aid station at or near mile 7. Keep in mind, the exact location of each aid station may vary from race to race. Aid stations include toilets, water, Gnarly Hydrate, Honey Stinger gels, basic first aid supplies, and sometimes more.
All stations are cup-free so plan to bring your own hydration solution or request a free HydraPouch when you register.
Doubles & Quadruple
TWO WEEKENDS - TWO PARKS!
If you aren't familiar with our events that have 5K distances in addition to a half marathon, runners can sign up for both and earn extra swag and an extra medal. We call these "doubles". In 2020, our Grand Teton and Yellowstone events will take place on back-to-back weekends in June!
With two half marathons and two 5K races, we have some exciting news. We are introducing a new QUADRUPLE- the Grand Quad! That's signing up and running all 4 events. If you sign up for the quadruple you are essentially doing the Grand Teton Half & 5K and the Yellowstone Half & 5K. Runners get some Grand Quad swag, all the doubles medals, plus the Quadruple medal- That's 8 medals total!
Here are all the options:
Moose Double
Grand Teton Half Marathon & Grand Teton 5K
Runners earn: Moose Double swag + 2 finisher medals (1 for each race) + 1 Moose Double medal
Bison Double
Yellowstone Half Marathon & Yellowstone 5K
Runners earn: Bison Double swag + 2 finisher medals (1 for each race) + 1 Bison Double medal
Grizzly Double
Grand Teton Half Marathon & Yellowstone Half Marathon
Runners earn: Grizzly Double swag + 2 finisher medals (1 for each race) + 1 Grizzly Double medal
Grand Quad
Grand Teton Half Marathon, Grand Teton 5K, Yellowstone Half Marathon, & Yellowstone 5K
Runners earn: Grand Quad swag + 4 finisher medals (1 for each race) + 1 Moose Double medal + 1 Bison Double medal + 1 Grizzly Double medal + 1 Grand Quad medal = 8 medals!
Note: If you've run with us in the past, you may recall the Caldera Triple. With the new Grand Teton 5K and the quadruple added, we've retired the Caldera Triple for now.
Registration is now open
Registration Periods
Early: Aug. 14 – Nov. 15
Regular: Nov. 16 – Feb. 14, 2021
Late: Feb. 15 – Race Expo
*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.
Packages & Pricing
Going to Grand Teton as well?
Need to upgrade to the Bison Double, grizzly double, or Grand Quad?
It's easy!
>> Log into your Run Signup Account >> Go to "Profile" >> Click "Manage Registration"
>> Click "Transfer Event" on the top menu bar
>> Click "Start Transfer"
>> Choose your Event
>> Continue and complete your registration!
*if you deferred into this race or transferred from another race your race credit will be $0 and we will need to help you upgrade your event. Contact us at info@vacationraces.com.
Charity Bibs
Want to run for a great cause? Fundraise for your chosen race and your registration fee could be waived. All funds go to Wander Project to support efforts in and around the communities that host our events. We primarily fund three project areas including: preservation and conservation of public lands; education around local ecology and stewardship; and the promotion of health and well-being. Learn more about Charity Bibs here!
Race Deferment & Credit
You can manage your deferred credit by logging in to RunSignup, clicking Deferrals, and Complete Deferment. From there you can transfer into another race.
Traveling to West Yellowstone
You can either fly or drive into West Yellowstone. The closest airport is the West Yellowstone airport (WYS) but it has very limited flight options. You'll probably end up getting a flight into Bozeman (BZN), Jackson (JAC), or Idaho Falls (IDA) and then getting a rental car and driving (about 2 hours).
>>View travel & lodging details here
Race Day
The start line is a close walk to most local hotels and there will be plenty of parking available near the start line (beginning at 5 am) for those who need to drive in.
From 5:00-6:45 AM we'll have plenty of hot chocolate and coffee available, a prize raffle every 5 minutes, gear check, and last call for bib & packet pickup. Runners will line up at 6:45 am for final announcements, the National Anthem, and then we'll start the race at 7 am. A rewards ceremony will begin at 9:45 am near the finish line and the course will close at 11 am.
Spectators are welcome near the start and finish lines.
>>View race day details here
Clubs & Trifecta
To help you make the most out of your visit to Yellowstone National Park, we've put together some recommended "Club Hikes". Do these with 72 hours after the race and you can earn free Vacation Races memorabilia.
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