Big Sky Marathon

Race Overview

The Big Sky Marathon is the result of our success with the Madison Marathon. We held our Inaugural race in 2015 to appease marathoners from around the world who were screaming for a double (both full and half) in Montana. To non-marathoners, this is completely counter-intuitive. Afterall, why would you host a second marathon immediately after one of the most difficult marathons in America? To the likes of Marathon Maniacs and other running groups, it makes perfect sense. Why run just one marathon over a weekend when you can run two? Why not earn Four Stars as a Marathon Maniac over the course of 48 hours vs. possibly earning just one star and only if all your other stars line up?

We couldn’t answer the why not questions other than to say, ‘Yeah, why the hell not?’

Race Details

• Date: July 12, 2026
• Location: Varney Bridge Fishing Access Site, Ennis, MT
• URL: Big Sky Marathon Registration
• Route: New route started in 2020, with a net drop of 3,600 feet.

Course Description

The new route will once again start up on the Gravelly Range Road. The full marathon will start at approximately Mile 17 of the Madison Marathon route. Then, runners head downhill to the Madison Valley floor. Once on the valley floor, runners will no longer run along Varney Road. Instead, they will turn right at the T-junction, cross Varney Bridge over the Madison River, and run out to US Highway 287. That will be the turn-around point. Runners return to the Madison River and finish at Varney Bridge.

Sections of the Route

Section One

• Elevation: Starting line at approximately 8,500 to 8,700 feet above sea level.
• Terrain: The route is essentially flat, trending downhill.
• Location: Entire section within the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest.
• Distance: Runners will not drop in elevation too significantly for the first five to eight miles.

Section Two

• Quad Burner: Begins after leaving the National Forest.
• Drop: Elevation drops from 8,500 feet to 6,000 feet in a short distance.
• Switchbacks: Features several switchbacks contributing to the descent.
• End Point: Official end is at a t-junction after Bar 7 ranch, estimated distance of about seven miles.

Section Three

• Flat Area: Gradually declines towards the Madison River.
• Pavement: Runners will hit pavement near the Ennis Fish Hatchery turn-off.
• Finish Line: The full marathon continues to Highway 287, while half marathoners finish at Varney Bridge.
• Views: This section crosses an open area with fantastic views of both the Madison and Gravelly Range.

That is how you run one of the longest downhill road marathons on Planet Earth!