My weekend kicked off with the free Beer Run (5kish) that isn’t timed, but it’s a great warm up and you get a free beer/hard seltzer from Big Sky Brewery after! This year they also gave finishers a cool bottle opener (they always have some fun item). I ran the 5k the next morning (see separate review) and then did my annual hike up the “M” before grabbing huckleberry ice cream from the Big Dipper. This weekend is about more than just racing for me, it’s about the beautiful scenery and community of Missoula!

The expo is held in the same venue as the Beer Run & 5k, so it makes it super convenient to pick up your packet after! All of the volunteers were incredibly friendly and excited to be there. As always, the finisher shirts are amazing- can’t wait to rock those after my races!! I had to buy some extra Missoula Marathon branded swag because they really do have the best designs. I wear my Missoula Marathon swag more than any other race.

It was gorgeous day for a the half marathon. It was slightly warmer than usual, but a nice layer of clouds kept me shielded a bit from the sun the majority of the race. We were treated to a stunning sunrise over the mountains, which was capped off by the traditional fireworks at the start.

The course begins in the beautiful countryside of Missoula, running amongst pastures and the Blue Mountain forest as we wind along the Bitterroot River. I was a bit sad as there are usually horses that run along the fence line about 1/4 mile after the start, but this was the first year I didn’t see them. I also noticed the pianist that was usually setup with a baby grand piano on a property around mile 3 was absent this year. That being said, the rest of the course remained as beautiful and majestic as always.

After crossing a bridge over the Bitterroot River, the course begins to weave through the beautiful neighborhoods of Missoula. The final stretch takes runners across the Higgins Street Bridge over the Clark Fork River toward the finish line. Runners are cheered on by spectators lined on both sides of the bridge, giving us the final push we need to finish strong!

The volunteer and community support for this race is exceptional! I really cannot capture how special the Missoula Marathon weekend is, you have to experience it to feel the magic of this beautiful town and amazing races. I’m already counting down the days until next year! This is the one race I will continue running annually ✨