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March 25, 2025
Run Away for the Weekend
Why Montana is an awesome race destination.
Whether you are training for your first 5k or your 5th marathon, road races are a great way to hit those training goals. Over the years, Billings has become home to many great races, with an option for every kind of runner. Choosing the right race is more than just distance, it’s about location, atmosphere and community. Here is our guide to finding the perfect race for you
Weekend for the Girls
For more than 40 years, the Montana Women’s Run has taken place in downtown Billings. Thousands of women convene in Montana’s biggest city every year on Mother’s Day weekend to run with friends, sisters, mothers and grandmothers. You can choose between a 2-mile or a 5-mile course beginning and ending in downtown Billings. The race raises money to help promote health and fitness for women of all ages through exercise and education, and to encourage an active lifestyle.
Going the Extra Miles
The Montana Marathon is known to locals and visitors alike as a fast course, as the final 16 miles of the course boast a drop of 1,000 feet in elevation. Both men and women are welcome to take on this Boston Qualifier marathon, half marathon or 10k. Visit the Montana Marathon’s official site for the current year’s race date and registration information.
Powered by Craft Beer
For those that love a good craft beer, fun costumes and an after-race celebration with live music and even more craft beer, the Last Best Beer Run and 5k is for you. The Billings brewery owners host Craft Beer Week each year in May. This awesome week is filled with craft-beer-themed activities like beer yoga, movies and trivia. To finish the week, Billings hosts the Last Best Beer Run and 5k. The downtown course has different of options for participants to choose from: you can run the course and enjoy a beer after the run, or you can run the course with beer stops along the way. Costumes are encouraged, and the after-race celebration is open to the public.
Dads and Dashes
Each year on Father’s Day weekend, the Heart and Sole Run takes place in the Billings North Elevation Historic District and ends at Dehler Park. Not only does this race route you through a beautiful historic neighborhood, but it is also the RRCA 5k National Championship race. The proceeds go towards the YMCA Annual Campaign and improving the Billings trail system through Billings TrailNet.
Running for Charity
For many, running for a charitable cause is how an individual’s road race passion begins. There are several amazing charities to support in Billings, and most of the races have a charitable goal tied to those organizations. One of our favorite charity races to support is the Ramsey Keller Memorial Foundation RUN for Heaven’s Sake. This is a 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon held every May in Billings. All proceeds benefit the Ramsey Keller Memorial which pays for infant funerals in the state of Montana.
Big Skies and Big Competition
The Big Sky State Games is an Olympic-style amateur sports festival. With 10,000 athletes competing in 35 sports, it’s a weekend of fierce but friendly competition in Billings. Road races include a Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k. The Soaked Run is always a favorite for those looking to enjoy a lighter side of racing. If you are a fan of watching the races, the Montana Mile is an invite-only race with the fastest runners in Montana competing just before the traditional torch lighting ceremony.
Themed Runs
Everyone loves a good theme-run, and Billings has no shortage of them. Some of our favorites are put on by the 406 Race Series. The Quitcherbitchen’ Trail Run is an awesome trail run that takes place in the beautiful Phipps Park west of Billings. The Great Masked Pumpkin race is a Halloween-themed race in which participants get to race in costume and pick out a pumpkin to take home.
Family Fun and Fitness
Kid’s Dash 'N Pedal is a fun, non-competitive event for kids ages 3-10 held on a safe, closed course at Shiloh Conservation Area in Billings. Taking place each July, the race features two options: the Mini Dash 'N Pedal (½-mile bike, ¼-mile run) and the Dash 'N Pedal (¼-mile run, 1-mile bike, ¼-mile run). Kids are grouped by ability and start in small waves, with parents welcome to join along. All participants receive a race shirt, post-race treats and a finisher’s prize. Helmets are required, and the event is untimed to keep the focus on fun and fitness.
The annual Kids Trail Trek, held in September alongside the Quitcherbitchen Trail Run, invites kids ages 5–10 to enjoy a fun and active one-mile trail run at Phipps Park. The mostly flat, well-marked loop is perfect for young runners, with volunteers on hand to guide them along the way. Parents are welcome to run alongside their child, and all finishers will receive a prize, with top age group awards for the top three boys and girls.
Once you’ve finished racing or cheering on other runners, explore the rest of Billings. From more than 50 miles of hiking and biking trails to sampling dishes from James Beard Award-nominated chefs, there’s always big adventure to be found in Billings.