The Rut Mountain Runs
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The Rut Mountain Runs
The Rut Mountain Runs is a multi-day mountain running festival held in Big Sky, Montana. The event features a variety of technical courses that traverse the rugged terrain of the Northern Rockies, including the ascent of Lone Peak at an elevation of 11,166 feet. Participants encounter steep ridgelines, exposed sections, and significant vertical gain across several different race distances.
The event offers several individual race options and combined challenges:
- Trifecta: A 52.5-mile (84 km) challenge with 21,500 feet of vertical gain.
- 50K: A 31-mile course featuring 10,500 feet of vertical gain.
- 28K: A 17.6-mile route with 7,800 feet of vertical gain.
- 21K: A 13.4-mile run with 4,000 feet of vertical gain.
- 11K: A 6.8-mile trail with 1,700 feet of vertical gain.
- Lone Peak VK: A 2.85-mile Vertical Kilometer with 3,623 feet of ascent.
- Runt Run: A 1K (.62 miles) event for children with 80 feet of gain.
Registration for the races typically opens in early January and often sells out quickly. The festival environment includes a community celebration with specific equipment requirements for mountain safety. Support is provided through aid stations staffed by volunteers, and the event utilized digital tracking for participants. The 2026 edition includes access to the Lone Peak summit for the VK, 28K, and 50K distances following completion of the summit tram building. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
