Course Maps
Cell Service:
There is also NO CELL PHONE SERVICE at the start, finish, or along the course.
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Start / Finish:
All race distances will start from East portal which is about 2 miles from Taft, MT by shuttle bus. Taft, MT is at exit 5 on the Montana side of Lookout pass along I-90. All runners will need to park at the Taft parking lot off the I-90 exit to check-in and either start their race (50K) or take the shuttle bus to the start line (25K, 15K, and 10K). Look for signs as you exit. There are no parking spots at East Portal for runners or spectators.
***Please read the athlete guide page regarding the construction detour at exit 5 affecting eastbound traffic
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All Courses:
All courses are out and backs. This is primarily due to not being able to shuttle bus over St. Paul Pass. There is also NO CELL PHONE SERVICE at the start, finish, or along the course. The route is run on a railroad grade that is not steeper than 1.5% along the route. Runners will get a good warm-up running the slight downhill grade before turning around to finish strong back up the gentle grade. A 1.5% grade is the equivalent of 80ft of elevation change over a mile of the route.
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Lights Are Mandatory!
All distances will run through tunnels that are very dark when you are in the middle. If you do not have a headlamp or flashlight with you, you will not be allowed onto the course. Headlamps are also available for purchase during registration and you will be given your fully functioning light at packet pick-up with batteries. If you are bringing your own light, we strongly recommend a light with 500 lumens or more. Please make sure your light has a fresh set of batteries and we recommend turning your light off when you are not in the tunnels to preserve battery. The tunnels are dark!
**Please note that map elevations are not accurate due to the limitations of gps mapping with measuring through tunnels.
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50K: (31.07 miles)
Highlights: 1.6 mile long Taft Tunnel, 18 total tunnel sections, 14 trestles, waterfalls, scenic views, 9 aid stations
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The 50K run will start at East Portal and run along the Olympic road through the parking lot for about 1 mile before entering the famous 1.6 mile long Taft Tunnel. Runners will then exit the tunnel at Roland and hit their first aid station and a self service gear check near mile 4. As they continue past tunnel 21, runners will hit a second aid station near moss creek. After tunnel 24, runners will start to cross a series of trestles. As runners make their way toward Adair they will hit another aid station with a vault toilet. The first time checkpoint will be at the 25K turnaround at mile 10:25. All 50K runners must be through this point by 8:15am. Runners will continue on past another aid station at Falcon and then reaching the turnaround aid station at Pearson, mile 16. All 50K runners must reach the Pearson turnaround before 9:40am and maintaining a 12:45min/mile average pace. Runners will then make their way back along the trail the same way the came. After hitting the Roland aid station for the last time, runners will enter the Taft tunnel for the last 1.6 miles as they run toward the finish. The 50K course will finish at East Portal. 50K Runners will then take the shuttle from East portal back to the Taft Parking lot.
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Course cutoff time: 6.5 hours (roughly 12:45min/ mile). We are sorry, but the 50K course is not meant for walkers. The 50K course requires at least a combination of walking and jogging to maintain the 12:45min/mile average pace.
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25K: (15.5 miles)
Highlights: 1.6 mile long Taft Tunnel, 12 total tunnel sections, 6 trestles, waterfalls, scenic views, 6 aid stations
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The 25K run will start out running through the famous Taft Tunnel for the first 1.6 miles. Runners will then exit the tunnel at Roland and hit their first aid station and a self service gear check near mile 2. As they continue past tunnel 21, runners will hit a second aid station near moss creek. After tunnel 24, runners will start to cross a series of trestles. As runners make their way toward Adair they will hit another aid station with a vault toilet. After tunnel 26, runners will turn around and follow the same path back. After hitting the Roland aid station for the last time, runners will enter the Taft tunnel for the last 1.6 miles as they run toward the finish.
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Course cutoff time: 4:45 hours (roughly 18:30min/ mile). Slower runners, please choose the earliest start times.
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15K: (9.3 miles)
Highlights: 1.6 mile long Taft Tunnel, 6 total tunnel sections, waterfall, scenic views, 4 aid stations
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The 15K run will start out running through the famous Taft Tunnel for the first 1.6 miles. Runners will then exit the tunnel at Roland and hit their first aid station and a self service gear check near mile 2. Runners will cross through two more tunnels at and one more aid station at Moss Creek before turning around near mile 4.65. The will return along the same path crossing 2 more aid stations and 3 more tunnels. After the Roland aid station, they will enter the Taft tunnel for the last 1.6 miles as they run to the finish.
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Course cutoff time: 3 hours (roughly 20min/ mile). Slower runners, please choose the earliest start times.
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10K (6.2 Miles):
Highlights: 1.6 mile long Taft Tunnel, 2 tunnel sections, waterfall, scenic views, 2 aid stations, self service gear drop
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The 10K course starts out running through the famous Taft Tunnel for the first 1.6 miles. Runners will hit an aid station near Roland at mile 2. They will continue on for a little over another mile before turning around. After turning around, runners pass the Roland aid station one more time, and will re-enter the 1.6 mile long Taft tunnel as they head back toward the finish. Please be aware that the 10K run completes a total of over 3.2 miles in the Taft Tunnel.
