Bridger Ridge Run

🏔️ Event Overview

The Ed Anacker Bridger Ridge Run is a remote and aesthetic ~20 mile foot-race along the crest of the Bridger Mountains, near Bozeman in Southwest Montana. It is a not-for-profit event enabled by about as many volunteers as participants.

🏃‍♂️ Event Sponsorship

The Bridger Ridge Run is put on & sponsored by the Big Sky Wind Drinkers, which is a premier running club for runners of all ages and abilities.

• Event History: Some videos, photos, and history of this event can be found on this Big Sky Wind Drinkers webpage.

⛰️ Course Conditions

Essentially the entire route involves unstable footing, challenging ascents, brutal descents, and unpredictable weather along an exposed ridge. Experience with mountain running is important.

• Access: No part of the route can be accessed by a road.
• Supply Management: All supplies, including water, are hauled to Aid Stations through human volunteering.
• Participant Responsibility: Except for water, we expect each participant to carry what they think they’ll need.
• Cupless Race: Note: the race is "cupless" (ie, Aid Stations will not have cups). We expect each participant to carry a water vessel, which can be filled at each Aid Station.

🤝 Volunteering Opportunities

This entire event is enabled through volunteer effort. We offer a diversity of volunteering opportunities -- some well in advance of the event, and some during the event.

• Volunteer Page: Check out our Volunteer page for specific opportunities.
• Rewarding Volunteering: Our registration process is designed to reward and incentivize volunteering for this event.

📝 Registration Process

(See the Registration Process page for more details.)

• Participant Limit: The number of participants is limited to 250.
• Application Required: Anyone seeking to register for this event must submit an application to our lottery.
• Notification: All applicants will be notified of their status before the close of May.
• No Wait List: We do not use a "Wait List".

🚫 Cancellation Policies

If, for any reason, a registered participant cancels their participation in the race after they sign up, they will not be granted a refund.

• Event Cancellations: We may impose strict rules of participation or cancel the event due to conditions like forest fires.
• Registration Options: If cancelled, registered participants will have the option to “Roll-over” their registration to the following year or donate their registration fee.

📅 Pre-Race Meeting

Participants, especially first-timers, are strongly advised to attend the pre-race meeting which will take place at 5:30pm the Friday before the Start at the Fish Hatchery.

• Weather Updates: Up-to-date conditions and weather prediction.
• Route Description: Discussion of the route and answers to questions.
• Race Rules: Overview of race rules, including disqualification policies.
• Logistics: Discussion of race-day logistics, including how to arrive at the Start Line.

🚦 Start Line Logistics

The race starts at 6:30am at the Fairy Lake Trailhead, which is a 45-minute drive from the Finish.

• Transportation: Each participant must arrange their own transport to the Start Line.
• Drop-Bag Service: We provide a drop-bag service from the Start Line to the Finish Line.
• Carpooling: All participants are encouraged to park their vehicles at the Fairgrounds and carpool to the Start Line.
• Start Waves: Registered participants will be grouped into Start Waves, each spaced 5 minutes apart.

📏 Route Description

Here is a link to a downloadable GPS file of the route, including aid stations and other information.

• Elevation: The route embarks from Fairy Lake parking area (elevation 7,600'), follows steep climbs, and descends to the Finish Line at the Fish Hatchery (elevation 4,900').
• Cut-Off Times: Participants will be disqualified if they do not reach specific checkpoints before their cut-off times.
• Emergency Protocol: It is imperative that participants notify the Aid Station Lead if they drop out.

🏅 Finish Area

The Finish Line is at the Fish Hatchery. Participants will be directed through the Drinking Horse tunnel to the Finish Area.

• Awards: Awards will be given to top three overall finishers in each gender category and 10-year age divisions.
• Finish Area Features: The Finish Area will have a medical team, snacks, and aid for participants.
• Shuttle Service: A shuttle bus will be operating roughly 9am-4:30pm for transportation between the Finish Area and Fairgrounds Park & Ride Lot.
• Map: Map: Fairgrounds Park & Ride to Finish Area

📊 Results

Muddy Dog Sports does the timing for the race.

Results can be found on My Race Results.