Running with a Fast Crowd

Start training now for the 8th Annual Lewis and Clark Marathon here in Bozeman—the race is September 23 at 8 am. Entry fee for the marathon is $45, the half marathon is $30, and the marathon relay team is $100. The race begins on Jackson Creek Road and ends at the MSU track. In grand Olympian style, runners will take a lap and half around the track to complete the race.

The Lewis and Clark marathon is a USATF-sanctioned event and a qualifier for the Boston marathon, although the route makes it a tough one to qualify with. Runners follow a somewhat grueling but ultimately beautiful route in and around town. The race path changes from gravel to paved, and at times runners will be racing on a single-track. These conditions, along with the chance of some crazy weather, make the Lewis and Clark Marathon fairly technical as far as marathons go.

Fleet Feet in downtown Bozeman is organizing the marathon and hopes to have a pre-race dinner the night before the event. Transportation is provided and mandatory for the marathon, half marathon, and relay. Aid stations will be available every two to three miles and postrace food and drink will be provided.

There is also a 5k and a 1k kids' fun run. Tony from Fleet Feet said that the race attracts “about 100 marathon runners, 300 half-marathon runners, 200 5k runners, and the marathon relay has about 25 teams.” For more information email [email protected] or visit lewisandclarkmarathon.com.